1Th 2:1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you,

that it was not in vain:

vain - 1. Empty; worthless; having no substance, value or importance. 1 Pet 1.

Our entrance . . . was not in vain. "The existence of the flourishing church, where none had before existed, was proof" of the effect of their effort. - PNTC

1Th 2:2 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.

1. Were shamefully treated . . . at Philippi [jailed]. See Ac 16:19-24. "Even after such cruel treatment at the first place in Europe where they preached the gospel, they were no less"  -  PNTC - enthusiastic to share the message of salvation.
2. in our God--The ground of our boldness in speaking was the realization of God as [being] "OUR God."   JFB
3. with much contention. With fierce opposition. See Ac 17:13. "But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people."  PNTC 
   • that is, literally, as of competitors in a contest:  JFB

1Th 2:3 For our exhortation

• was not of deceit,  [objectively fraudulence; subjectively a straying from orthodoxy or piety]
• nor of uncleanness, [impurity (the quality), physically or morally]
• nor in guile: [(an obsolete primary probably meaning to decoy; compare G1185); a trick (bait), that is, (figuratively) wile]

1. of--springing from--having its source in--deceit, &c. JFB
2. uncleanness - 2 Peter 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. and esp. 2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: JFB

1Th 2:4 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.

• 1Th 2:5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know,
• nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

1. allowed--Greek, "We have been approved on trial," "deemed fit." This word corresponds to "God which trieth our hearts" below [same verse]. This approval as to sincerity depends solely on the grace and mercy of God (Ac 9:15; 1Co 7:25; 2Co 3:5; 1Ti 1:11,12). JFB
2. So we speak. God had given them the gospel as a trust. They were "stewards of the mysteries of God" [1Co 4:1]. They spoke as those faithful to a trust, seeking to please God instead of men. PNTC
3. Flattering words. He would have used these if he had sought to please men, but he told them plainly of their sins. PNTC  Ga 1:10 ¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
4. Nor a cloke of covetousness. Nor did he have a covetous motive and conceal it by fair pretences. PNTC

1Th 2:6 Nor of men sought we glory,

• neither of you,
• nor yet of others,

  when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

1. Nor . . . sought we glory. Enemies of the cross sought some motive to explain the devotion of the apostles to the work. When all others failed, they named the desire of glory, as though men would make themselves "offscouring" for the sake of glory [1Co 4:13].  PNTC
2. When we might, etc. They might have demanded glory, and stood on the dignity of the apostles' office, and required pecuniary support. Instead, they worked at Thessalonica with their own hands for a support (see 1Th 2:9).  PNTC

1Th 2:7 But we were gentle among you,

• even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

1Th 2:8 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.

1. But also our own souls. You were so dear to us that we not only were willing to impart the gospel, but would have given our lives to you and for you  - PNTC

1Th 2:9

• For ye remember, brethren,
  • our labour and travail:
  • for labouring night and day,

1. Ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail. There was hard and exhausting labor, "night and day." The apostle was not willing to be chargeable to them; hence, while preaching "in season, out of season" [2Ti 4:2], he labored at his trade for a support. To this day the weaving of black cloths for tents is a great industry at Thessalonica.  PNTC  Labor could refer to spiritual ministry and travail could refer to physical work of personal maintainance. JFB
2. night and day--The Jews reckoned the day from sunset to sunset, so that "night" is put before "day" (compare Ac 20:31). Their labors with their hands for a scanty livelihood had to be engaged in not only by day, but by night also, in the intervals between spiritual labors.  JFB
• because
• we would not be chargeable unto any of you,
• we preached unto you the gospel of God.
1. Could refer to the matter of  Eze 3:19 "Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul."
   Eze 3:20 "Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand."

1Th 2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God also,

• how
  • holily
  • and justly
  • and unblameably
• we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

1. Ye are witnesses--as to our outward conduct.
   and God also --as to our inner motives.
   holily--towards God.
   justly--towards men.
   unblamably--in relation to ourselves.
2. These three are the result of an upward relationship with God. Then they are displayed publically and to the church as a result of an inward compunction.
3. behaved - these three characteristics were what we became among you

1Th 2:11

As ye know

• how we
  • exhorted and 
    • [ to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):
    • Greek paraklete (calles to remembrance that this is also a term for the ministry of the Holy Spirit perhaps as He works through the persons of men whom he indwells)]
  • comforted and   
    • [to relate near, that is, (by implication) encourage, console:
    • - comes from a derivative which suggests coming along side to instruct]
    • How many times have parents discussed children's fears and alleved them through teaching, showing them things which allowed them to be empowered to do rather than draw back.
      • Working with bugs
      • Working with electricity
      • Showing the promises of salvation so that the fear of death is no longer a concern when one knows the promises of God's keeping and presence in the time of the shadow of death.
  • charged every one of you, 
    • Refers to speaking boldly the truth and to implore others to take hold of it.
    • Comes from the word martyr (are you willing to die for the truth of what you say/believe/do?
    • Was it really true? How convinced are you that truth is always truth?)
      • Will your actions before family show it
      • Will you suffer separation by the displeasure of others?
      • Will you insist that the things of God are of absolute important ?
      • Will you refuse to do things which are contradictory to God's will?
      • Will you insist that others should be of the same heart and mind?
    • Will you be a witness, that is, testify (literally or figuratively):
• as a father doth his children,

1Th 2:12

That

• ye would walk worthy of God,

1. [walk - step about - behave, live]
2. [worthy - appropriately]

• who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. [kingdom - implies His royal presence and glory]

1Th 2:13

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.

1Th 2:14

• 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:

1. Note the "brethren" are identified as a church in that they followed the churches of God elsewhere. This emphasizes the importance of the local church, the place of the local church in every community, and importance of participating in the community's local church.

1Th 2:15

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

1. A natural result of evil concupiscence of the wicked man Romans 7:8. This is the natural seeming result responding to the increased knowledge and increased awareness of the commands of God. The natural man in his rebellious spirit finds his desire amplified to defy God. Part of this involves stopping or destroying the message of restraint and the messenger to quiet him too. (see below)

1Th 2:16

• 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.
  1. Again in conjunction with the building of the "inward" relationships, then we see that the "outward" outreach is a natural and obvious activity.
     

1Th 2:17 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.
1Th 2:18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
1Th 2:19 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?
1Th 2:20 For ye are our glory and joy.