1 Thessalonians 2:1 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

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Bible Comments

It is evident that some of the Jews in Thessalonica had been discounting the apostle in his absence. He very definitely defends himself against such detraction, asserting that his preaching had been with boldness, characterized by thankfulness, full of tenderness, and prosecuted with earnestness. The faith they had exercised demonstrated that the Gospel was "not... vain." Their "work of faith" was the credential of the apostle's spiritual authority. His authority is further emphasized by their "labour of love." Having received the Word, and so working the "work of faith," they had treated it as the very Word of God, and served even in suffering. To "serve the living and true God" ever means a "labour of love," that is to say, it is obedience to the law of love in the impulse of love, and this inevitably results in suffering in the midst of those who are antagonistic to God's revelation of His will through the Lord Jesus.

Finally, in answering the charges against himself, the apostle referred to the Lord's return. He speaks of himself as “bereft" of the Thessalonians for a short season, but qualifies the statement by saying that this is "in presence, not in heart." It is the Coming of the Lord that he looked forward to as the one reward of all present toil and pain and suffering. They are at once his hope, his joy, his crown.

Very beautiful is this turning of the apostle's thought to the ultimate vindication of his work. The detractors were busy attempting to undervalue this work, and to cast aspersions on his character, his honesty, and his tenderness. All this will finally be answered in the splendor and the glory of that moment when the Lord shall receive to Himself in glory those who "turned... from idols to serve a living and b e God, and to wait for His Son from heaven."

Related Commentaries of 1 Thessalonians 2:1

1 Thessalonians 2:1-20

1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have beena burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us;b and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

20 For ye are our glory and joy.