1 Thessalonians 2:1,2 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Yourselves, brethren, know, &c. What was proposed chap. 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6, is now more largely treated of; concerning Paul and his fellow- labourers, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12: concerning the Thessalonians, 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16. Our entrance in unto you With what demonstration of a divine agency it was attended; that it was not in vain Or without success, as Dr. Heylin reads; but was attended with most important consequences and effects, which will be everlasting. The original expression, however, ου κενη γεγονεν, is rendered by Dr. Waterland, was not vain; and by Dr. Macknight, was not false, or destitute of truth, judging the apostle's meaning to be, “that his entrance among the Thessalonians was not the entrance of a deceiver, who, with a view to draw money from his hearers, or to acquire power, or to live in pleasure among them, told them stories which he himself knew to be false. To this interpretation, the reason assigned in the following verse agrees: his sufferings for the gospel being the strongest proof that he himself believed it; whereas, of his not having preached in vain to the Thessalonians his sufferings were no proof. Besides, if the apostle had meant to say that his entrance was not in vain, the expression would have been εις κενον, as in Philippians 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 3:5.” But after we had suffered In several places; and were shamefully entreated at Philippi Being there stripped and scourged by the common beadle, and thrust into prison, where our feet were made fast in the stocks. Scourging with rods was a punishment so ignominious, that the Portian law, among the Romans, forbade it to be inflicted on any Roman citizen. We were bold Notwithstanding; in our God Trusting in his assistance; to speak unto you the gospel Though we are forced to do it with much contention Meeting with much opposition, or in the midst of inward and outward conflicts of all kinds.