1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 - The Fruit Of Unsparing Labor
Paul preached in great conflict of soul because of his passionate desire for the salvation of men. In this, many of the notable servants of God have shared; and we shall not attain to the great end of our ministry unless the seeds we sow are steeped in prayers and tears. The Apostle viewed the gospel as a sacred deposit left with him by God on man's behalf, 1 Thessalonians 2:4. Do we sufficiently realize that as Christ is our Trustee, entrusted with God's gift for us, so we are executors of His bequests to our fellow-men, who will have serious charges to bring against us if we hoard for ourselves what was meant for them? The questions which should sustain and quicken us are: "What does God think of my service?-Is He pleased?"
Combined with Paul's strength of purpose there were the sweetness and tenderness of a nurse. Self-denying labor for his own maintenance took from his eyes their needed sleep, and was another proof of his sincerity and devotion. There was no harm in receiving gifts, but Paul was most anxious to do nothing that would invalidate his testimony, or be unworthy of the Master he served. Admirable example for us all! [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Thessalonians 2
1In what manner the gospel was brought and preached to the Thessalonians 18A reason is rendered both why Paul was so long absent from them, and also so desirous to see them
Greek Commentary for 1 Thessalonians 2:3
Exhortation [παρακλησις] Persuasive discourse, calling to one‘s side, for admonition, encouragement, or comfort. [source]
Not of error [ουκ εκ πλανης] This word is same as πλαναω planaō to lead astray (2 Timothy 3:13) like Latin errare. Passive idea of error here rather than deceit. That is seen in nor in guile “This disclaimer, startling as it may seem, was not unneeded amidst the impurities consecrated by the religions of the day” (Lightfoot). There was no necessary connection in the popular mind between religion and morals. The ecstatic initiations in some of the popular religions were grossly sensual. [source]
error [] here rather than deceit. That is seen in nor in guile “This disclaimer, startling as it may seem, was not unneeded amidst the impurities consecrated by the religions of the day” (Lightfoot). There was no necessary connection in the popular mind between religion and morals. The ecstatic initiations in some of the popular religions were grossly sensual. [source]
nor in guile [ουδε εν δολωι] “This disclaimer, startling as it may seem, was not unneeded amidst the impurities consecrated by the religions of the day” (Lightfoot). There was no necessary connection in the popular mind between religion and morals. The ecstatic initiations in some of the popular religions were grossly sensual. [source]
Nor of uncleanness [ουδε εχ ακαταρσιας] “This disclaimer, startling as it may seem, was not unneeded amidst the impurities consecrated by the religions of the day” (Lightfoot). There was no necessary connection in the popular mind between religion and morals. The ecstatic initiations in some of the popular religions were grossly sensual. [source]
Of deceit [ἐκ πλάνης] Better, of error. It may imply deceit as accompanying or causing error, but it does not occur in the sense of deceit. Our exhortation did not proceed from any false teaching which we had ourselves received. We were guided by “the spirit of truth”; See 1 John 4:6, and comp. 2 Peter 1:16. [source]
Of uncleanness [ἐξ ἀκαθαρσίας] Ἀκαθαρσία in Matthew 23:27of the corruption of the sepulchre. Elsewhere in N.T. of sensual impurity. See Romans 1:24; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Ephesians 4:19. Here in the sense of impurity on the side of sordidness. In Ephesians 4:19, Paul speaks of working uncleanness ( ἀκαθαρσίαν ) in a spirit of selfish desire ( πλεονεξία ) which is the spirit of covetousness. In Ephesians 5:3, uncleanness and covetousness are closely associated. Paul means that his exhortation did not proceed from greed for gain or lust for power. [source]
In guile [ἐν δόλῳ] While uncleanness expresses impure purpose or motive, guile has reference to improper means; plausible but insincere methods of winning converts; suppression of the truth; “huckstering the word of God” (see on 2 Corinthians 2:17); adulterating it for purposes of gain or popularity. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Thessalonians 2:3
Acts 17:5Moved with jealousy [ζηλωσαντες] Both our English words, zeal and jealousy, are from the Greek ζηλος zēlos In Acts 13:45 the Jews (rabbis) “were filled with jealousy” That is another way of saying the same thing as here. The success of Paul was entirely too great in both places to please the rabbis. So here is jealousy of Jewish preachers towards Christian preachers. It is always between men or women of the same profession or group. In 1 Thessalonians 2:3-10 Paul hints at some of the slanders spread against him by these rabbis (deceivers, using words of flattery as men-pleasers, after vain-glory, greed of gain, etc.). [source]
2 Corinthians 7:2We wronged no man [ουδενα ηδικησαμεν] A thing that every preacher ought to be able to say. Cf. 2 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:3; Acts 20:26. We corrupted no man (ουδενα επτειραμεν oudena ephtheiramen). We ruined no one. “It may refer to money, or morals, or doctrine” (Plummer). He is answering the Judaizers. We took advantage of no man That charge was made in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 4:6) which see for this late verb and also on 2 Corinthians 2:11. He got the best of (note πλεον pleon more in the root) no one in any evil way. [source]
2 Thessalonians 2:11Strong delusion [ἐνέργειαν πλάνης] Rev., literally and correctly, a working of error. See on working 2 Thessalonians 2:9. The phrase is unique in N.T. It means an active power of misleading. For πλάνη errorwhich shows itself in action, see on 1 Thessalonians 2:3. [source]
What do the individual words in 1 Thessalonians 2:3 mean?
Greek Commentary for 1 Thessalonians 2:3
Persuasive discourse, calling to one‘s side, for admonition, encouragement, or comfort. [source]
This word is same as πλαναω planaō to lead astray (2 Timothy 3:13) like Latin errare. Passive idea of error here rather than deceit. That is seen in nor in guile “This disclaimer, startling as it may seem, was not unneeded amidst the impurities consecrated by the religions of the day” (Lightfoot). There was no necessary connection in the popular mind between religion and morals. The ecstatic initiations in some of the popular religions were grossly sensual. [source]
here rather than deceit. That is seen in nor in guile “This disclaimer, startling as it may seem, was not unneeded amidst the impurities consecrated by the religions of the day” (Lightfoot). There was no necessary connection in the popular mind between religion and morals. The ecstatic initiations in some of the popular religions were grossly sensual. [source]
“This disclaimer, startling as it may seem, was not unneeded amidst the impurities consecrated by the religions of the day” (Lightfoot). There was no necessary connection in the popular mind between religion and morals. The ecstatic initiations in some of the popular religions were grossly sensual. [source]
“This disclaimer, startling as it may seem, was not unneeded amidst the impurities consecrated by the religions of the day” (Lightfoot). There was no necessary connection in the popular mind between religion and morals. The ecstatic initiations in some of the popular religions were grossly sensual. [source]
See on Luke 6:24and see on 1 Corinthians 14:3. Exhortation or counsel is Paul's usual sense. [source]
Better, of error. It may imply deceit as accompanying or causing error, but it does not occur in the sense of deceit. Our exhortation did not proceed from any false teaching which we had ourselves received. We were guided by “the spirit of truth”; See 1 John 4:6, and comp. 2 Peter 1:16. [source]
Ἀκαθαρσία in Matthew 23:27of the corruption of the sepulchre. Elsewhere in N.T. of sensual impurity. See Romans 1:24; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Ephesians 4:19. Here in the sense of impurity on the side of sordidness. In Ephesians 4:19, Paul speaks of working uncleanness ( ἀκαθαρσίαν ) in a spirit of selfish desire ( πλεονεξία ) which is the spirit of covetousness. In Ephesians 5:3, uncleanness and covetousness are closely associated. Paul means that his exhortation did not proceed from greed for gain or lust for power. [source]
While uncleanness expresses impure purpose or motive, guile has reference to improper means; plausible but insincere methods of winning converts; suppression of the truth; “huckstering the word of God” (see on 2 Corinthians 2:17); adulterating it for purposes of gain or popularity. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Thessalonians 2:3
Both our English words, zeal and jealousy, are from the Greek ζηλος zēlos In Acts 13:45 the Jews (rabbis) “were filled with jealousy” That is another way of saying the same thing as here. The success of Paul was entirely too great in both places to please the rabbis. So here is jealousy of Jewish preachers towards Christian preachers. It is always between men or women of the same profession or group. In 1 Thessalonians 2:3-10 Paul hints at some of the slanders spread against him by these rabbis (deceivers, using words of flattery as men-pleasers, after vain-glory, greed of gain, etc.). [source]
A thing that every preacher ought to be able to say. Cf. 2 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:3; Acts 20:26. We corrupted no man (ουδενα επτειραμεν oudena ephtheiramen). We ruined no one. “It may refer to money, or morals, or doctrine” (Plummer). He is answering the Judaizers. We took advantage of no man That charge was made in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 4:6) which see for this late verb and also on 2 Corinthians 2:11. He got the best of (note πλεον pleon more in the root) no one in any evil way. [source]
See on 1 Thessalonians 2:3. [source]
Rev., literally and correctly, a working of error. See on working 2 Thessalonians 2:9. The phrase is unique in N.T. It means an active power of misleading. For πλάνη errorwhich shows itself in action, see on 1 Thessalonians 2:3. [source]