D f 1,2. The good news of God imparted.
g 3. Their exhortations; not of deceit.
h 4-. Their preaching.
i -4-6. God their witness.
k 7. Comparison; as a nursing mother.
f 8. The good news of God imparted.
g 9-. Their labor; not to be chargeable.
h -9. Their preaching.
i 10. God their witness.
k 11,12. Comparison; as a father.
1 Thessalonians 2)
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: (We didn't come in empty.)
2 But even having suffered before, and having been treated with contumely (see Acts 14;5. Referring to their being scourged, though Romans [Acts 16:37,38), as you know, at Philippi, we were bold (see Acts 9:27) in our God to speak to you the good news of God with much contention. (They were thrown in jail. See Acts 16:22.)
3 For our exhortation was not of deceit (they told straight truth), nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4 But as we were tested (and so approved) of God to be put in trust with the good news, even so we speak; not as pleasing men (cp. Gal. 1:10), but God (please God, not men necessarily),
Which tries our hearts.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as you know, nor a pretense of covetousness; God is witness: (Didn't treat them like babies.)
6 Nor of men seeking glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, though able to be a burden, as the apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle in the midst of you, even as a nurse cherishes her own children: (This sows a mother is meant. The image expresses the intensity of the apostle's love for them. Direct truth is love.)
8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were well pleased to have imparted to you, not the good news of God only, but our lives also, because you were dear to us. (They cared about their souls too.)
9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil: for labouring night and day, with
a view to our not being chargeable to any of you, we preached to you the good news of God. (They did not charge to teach God's Word.)
10 You are witnesses (see Acts 16:16), and God also, how holily and justly and unnameable we became ourselves toward you that believe:
11 As you know how we exhorted and comforted and testified to each one of you, as a father does his children, (If you spare the rod, you spoil the child.)
12 With a view to your walking worthy of God, Who called you to His own kingdom and glory. (Some He doesn't call because they are not ready yet.)
13 On account of this we also thank God without ceasing, because,
when you received the word of God hearing of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is truly, the word of God, which is made energetic (with great effect) also in you that believe. (It's a wonderful thing when you see the power of God's word as it changes lives. If you are sincere, He is going to start blessing you, and you're going to be a lot more successful. He's going to give you strength, and your life is going to turn around, you're going to be somebody, a child of God. They accepted the word of God as coming from God, not reading out of some book. That separates believers from the nonbelievers as far as faith is concerned. He's complimenting them on their faith that they know the Word is true. This Word lets the Christian basically know what tomorrow brings, even down to business so you can be more successful in a business, that you know what the one world system is about, which way it is going.)
14 For you, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for you also suffered the same things of your own countrymen, even as they also have of the Kenites: (Sons of Cain, not the sons Judah, but Judeans, the physical location)
15 Who both killed the Lord even Jesus, and the prophets, and chased us out; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: (See Matt. 23. John 8;44. See song of Moses, Deut. 32:5. Taught by Martin Luther.)
16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles in order that they might be saved, with a view to their filling up their sins always:
for the appointed wrath (see Lev. 26. Deut. 28 and 32.) is come upon them to the end. (End of this dispensation.)
D E l 2;17,18. Their departure.
m 2:19,20. Joy in the Thessalonians.
F n 3:1. Their solicitude.
o 3:2-4. Mission of Timothy.
F n 3:5-. Their solicitude.
o 3:-5. Mission of Timothy.
E l 3:6. Timothy's return.
m 3:7-10. Joy in the Thessalonians.
17 But we, brethren, having been bereaved from you for a short time (a season of an hour) in presence (it would be about 5 years), not in heart, endeavored the more were diligent to see your face with great desire.
18 Wherefore we wished to come to you, even I Paul, once and again (Cp. Phil. 4:16); but Satan hindered us. (See Detain, impede, nitpicking. Satan is afraid of you when you're in Christ.)
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? (2nd Advent. See Acts 24.)
20 For you are our glory and joy. (Those seeds that you plant become fruitful. The work of the Word)