1 Thessalonians 2:1 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

OLBGrk; 1 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 2 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Paul setteth forth in what manner he had preached the gospel to the Thessalonians, 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 and they had received and suffered for it. 1 Thessalonians 2:17,18 He showeth his desire of coming to them, and the cause which had hitherto prevented him, 1 Thessalonians 2:19,20 testifying his joy and satisfaction in them. For yourselves; autoi, which some read, they themselves, &c.; and then the words refer to the believers in Macedonia and Achaia, mentioned before, 1 Thessalonians 1:9,10. Or, if we read, ye yourselves, he appeals to their own experience and knowledge. Know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain; kenh, was not vain, or empty, without fruit; our very first preaching had great success. Though the gospel is always either the savour of life unto life, or of death unto death, yet if no good fruit spring from a man's ministry, it may be said to be vain; as the prophet complains: I have laboured in vain, Isaiah 49:4. Or, as some, our preaching was not about things vain and unprofitable.