Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Thessalonians 2
Matthew Henry Commentary
1 Thessalonians 2
Matthew Henry Commentary
1 Thessalonians 2
"For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain: but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we waxed bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God in much conflict. For our exhortation [is] not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: but even as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proveth our hearts. For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness; nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ." — 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6 (ASV)
The apostle had no worldly design in his preaching. Suffering in a good cause should sharpen holy resolution. The gospel of Christ at first met with much opposition; and it was preached with contention, with striving in preaching, and against opposition.
And as the matter of the apostle's exhortation was true and pure, the manner of his speaking was without guile. The gospel of Christ is designed for mortifying corrupt affections, so that people may be brought under the power of faith.
This is the great motive to sincerity: to consider that God not only sees all we do, but knows our thoughts from afar and searches the heart. And it is from this God who tries our hearts that we must receive our reward.
The evidences of the apostle's sincerity were that he avoided flattery and covetousness. He also avoided ambition and vainglory.
"But we were gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherisheth her own children: even so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well pleased to impart unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were become very dear to us. For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God [also], how holily and righteously and unblameably we behaved ourselves toward you that believe: as ye know how we [dealt with] each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging [you], and testifying, to the end that ye should walk worthily of God, who calleth you into his own kingdom and glory." — 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 (ASV)
Mildness and tenderness greatly recommend religion and are most conformable to God's gracious dealing with sinners, in and by the gospel. This is the way to win people.
We should be faithful not only to our calling as Christians but also in our particular callings and relations.
Our great gospel privilege is that God has called us to his kingdom and glory. The great gospel duty is that we walk worthy of God.
We should live as is fitting for those called with such a high and holy calling. Our main purpose is to honor, serve, and please God, and to seek to be worthy of him.
"And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, [even the word] of God, ye accepted [it] not [as] the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe. For ye, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judaea in Christ Jesus: for ye also suffered the same things of your own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews; who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and pleased not God, and are contrary to all men; forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always: but the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost." — 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 (ASV)
We should receive the word of God with affections suitable to its holiness, wisdom, truth, and goodness. The words of men are frail and perishing, like themselves, and sometimes false, foolish, and fickle; but God's word is holy, wise, just, and faithful. Let us receive and regard it accordingly.
The word worked in them, to make them examples to others in faith and good works, and in patience under sufferings, and in trials for the sake of the gospel. Murder and persecution are hateful to God, and no zeal for anything in religion can excuse it. Nothing tends more to any person or people's filling up the measure of their sins, than opposing the gospel and hindering the salvation of souls.
The pure gospel of Christ is abhorred by many, and the faithful preaching of it is hindered in many ways. But those who forbid preaching it to sinners, to men dead in sin, do not by this please God. Those have cruel hearts, and are enemies to the glory of God, and to the salvation of his people, who deny them the Bible.
"But we, brethren, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence not in heart, endeavored the more exceedingly to see your face with great desire: because we would fain have come unto you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming? For ye are our glory and our joy." — 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 (ASV)
This world is not a place where we are to be always, or long together. In heaven holy souls will meet, and never part again. And though the apostle could not come to them yet, and thought he might never be able to come, yet our Lord Jesus Christ will come; nothing will hinder that. May God give faithful ministers to all who serve him with their spirit in the gospel of his Son, and send them to all who are in darkness.
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