1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

Paul's Defence of his Missionary Work. Paul had been charged by his opponents with being a wandering sophist making money out of his followers. He rebuts the charge and incidentally gives us a picture of the ideal missionary.

1 Thessalonians 2:2. at Philippi: the reference is to the scourging and imprisonment described in Acts 16:22-40.

1 Thessalonians 2:3. Our preaching was not the result of mental delusion, nor of an impure character, nor was it with intent to deceive. Each phrase refers to a charge which had been brought against Paul.

1 Thessalonians 2:4. pleasing men: Paul's object was not that of the professional sophist, to captivate his audience with a display of rhetoric.

1 Thessalonians 2:7. gentle: the addition of a single letter to the Greek word meaning gentle makes it mean babes (cf. mg.). If gentle is right (and the context seems to support it) the verse gives us a beautiful picture of Paul as the gentle apostle caring for his converts as a nursing mother cherisheth her children.

1 Thessalonians 2:9. working day and night: Paul replies to the charge of covetousness by stating that he earned his livelihood (cf. Acts 18:3 *, 1 Corinthians 4:12; Ephesians 4:28, p. 768).

1 Thessalonians 2:11. father: a variation of the metaphor used in 7, where Paul describes himself as a nursing mother.

Related Commentaries of 1 Thessalonians 2:1

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

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.