Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Thessalonians 2:1

"For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain:" — 1 Thessalonians 2:1 (ASV)

The identity of Paul’s Thessalonian opponents is a difficult puzzle to piece together. Most likely they were the Jews who were continuing adversaries of Paul, even after he left Thessalonica (cf. 2:14–16). They were so intent on destroying the work he had started that they persistently hurled accusations at him and labeled him another self-seeking religious propagandist. They distorted his teaching by accusing him of treason while he was still in the city (Acts 17:7). Subjected to a constant barrage of accusations, Thessalonian Christians easily began to question Paul’s sincerity. There is no evidence of organized opposition within the church, yet Timothy apparently brought back news (3:6) that some uncertainty had arisen within it as to whether Paul’s concern for it was genuine. This is not to say that his relations with the readers of the letter were no longer cordial (cf. 3:6), but symptoms of estrangement had appeared that could have led to an open rift unless treated immediately.

In light of this development, Paul again addresses his readers as “brothers” and reminds them of conditions throughout his initial visit. Special concern that his readers recall certain matters for themselves is evident in the recurrence of “you know” (vv.1–2, 5, 11; cf. vv.9–10 as well).

They are called to witness that Paul’s initial “visit” to them “was not a failure.” The word for “failure” (GK 3031) suggests “void of content” or “empty,” especially since v.2 contrasts their boldness and earnestness in ministry. The opposite of an empty ministry is one in which no obstacle or threat is sufficient to deter the speaker of God’s Gospel (v.2). In Philippi, Paul and Silas had been beaten and severely flogged; they had been put in prison with their feet in stocks (Acts 16:22–24) and cruelly mistreated because they had rescued a slave girl in the name of Jesus Christ. They had also been insulted by being arrested unjustly, stripped of their clothes, and treated like dangerous fugitives. Their Roman citizenship had been violated, and for this Paul demanded restitution (Acts 16:37). Still staggering from these injuries and indignities, the two came to Thessalonica. Under such conditions, most people would have refrained from repeating a message that had led to such violent treatment, but not these men. With God’s help, they mustered sufficient courage to declare in this new city their Gospel from God.

Here in Thessalonica they again encountered “strong opposition [GK 74]”— a word that pictures an athlete’s struggle to gain first place in a race or contest. Paul’s conflict came from outward persecutions and dangers originated by his Jewish opponents (cf. Php 1:30). While Luke does not mention such opposition in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1–10), it is clear from this letter that such did come. In spite of it, however, Paul’s inner help from God produced a continuing proclamation of the Gospel.