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Selected Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:9 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
1Th 1:9 |
King James |
For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
Strictly there should follow, "For they themselves show of you," &c.; but, instead, he substitutes that which was the instrumental cause of the Thessalonians' conversion and faith, "for they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you"; compare Th1 1:5, which corresponds to this former clause, as Th1 1:6 corresponds to the latter clause. "And how ye turned from idols to serve the living . . . God," &c. Instead of our having "to speak any thing" to them (in Macedonia and Achaia) in your praise (Th1 1:8), "they themselves (have the start of us in speaking of you, and) announce concerning (so the Greek of 'show of' means) us, what manner of (how effectual an) entrance we had unto you" (Th1 1:5; Th1 2:1).
the living and true God--as opposed to the dead and false gods from which they had "turned." In the English Version reading, Act 17:4, "of the devout Greeks a great multitude," no mention is made, as here, of the conversion of idolatrous Gentiles at Thessalonica; but the reading of some of the oldest manuscripts and Vulgate singularly coincides with the statement here: "Of the devout AND of Greeks (namely, idolaters) a great multitude"; so in Act 17:17, "the devout persons," that is, Gentile proselytes to Judaism, form a separate class. PALEY and LACHMANN, by distinct lines of argument, support the "AND." |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
For they themselves - They who have visited you, and they whom you have sent out; all persons testify of your piety. The apostle seems to refer to all whom he had met or had heard of "in all places," who said anything about the Thessalonians They were unanimous in bearing testimony to their fidelity and piety.
Show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you - The testimony which they bear of you is, in fact, testimony of the manner in which we preached the gospel, and demeaned ourselves when we were with you. It shows that we were intent on our Master's work, and that we were not actuated by selfish or sinister motives The argument is, that such effects could not have been produced among them if Paul, Silas, and their fellow laborers had been impostors. Their sound conversion to God; their change from idolatry to the true religion, and the zeal which had been the result of their conversion, was an argument to which Paul and his fellow-laborers might appeal in proof of their sincerity and their being sent from God. Paul often makes a similar appeal; compare notes on Co2 3:2-3. It is certain that many of the Jews in Thessalonica, when Paul and his fellow-laborers were there, regarded them as impostors Act 17:6, Act 17:8, and there is every reason to suppose that after they left the city, they would endeavor to keep up this impression among the people. To meet this, Paul now says that their own undoubted conversion to a life of holiness and zeal under their ministry, was an unanswerable argument that this was not so. How could impostors and deceivers have been the means of producing such effects?
And how ye turned to God from idols - That is, under our preaching. This proves that the church was to a considerable extent composed of those who were converted from idolatry under the preaching of Paul; compare Intro. 4. The meaning here is, that they who came from them, or they who had visited them, bore abundant testimony to the fact that they had turned from idols to the worship of the true God; compare notes Co1 12:2; Gal 1:8.
To serve the living and true God - He is called the "living God" in opposition to idols - who are represented as dead, dumb, deaf, and blind; compare Psa 135:15-17; notes, Isa 44:10-17; Mat 16:16; Joh 5:26; Act 14:15. |
The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
how ye turned
The tenses of the believer's life here indicated are logical and give the true order. They occur also in (Th1 1:3).
The "work of faith" is to "turn to God from idols";
(compare (Joh 6:28); (Joh 6:29).
The "labour of love" is to "serve the living and true God"; and
The "patience of hope" is to "wait for his Son from heaven".
(compare (Mat 24:42); (Mat 25:13); (Luk 12:36-48); (Act 1:11); (Phi 3:20); (Phi 3:21).
Paul repeats this threefold sequence in (Tit 2:11-13). |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
They themselves shew (αὐτοὶ ἀπαγγέλλουσιν)
They themselves in contrast with we, Th1 1:8. We need not speak of anything: they themselves volunteer testimony to your faith. Shew, more correctly announce or report.
Entering in (εἴσοδον)
Comp. Th1 2:1. The thought of Th1 1:5 is resumed. The repetition of the word in Th1 2:1, and of in vain in Th1 3:5, may point to expressions in a letter of the Thessalonians.
Unto you (πρὸς)
The preposition combines with the sense of direction that of relation and intercourse. Comp. Mat 13:56; Mar 9:16; Joh 1:1; Act 3:25; Col 4:5; Heb 9:20.
Ye turned unto God (ἐπεστρέψατε πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν)
Comp. Act 14:15. The exact phrase only here. The verb is common in lxx, with both κύριον Lord and θεὸν God.
Idols
See on Co1 8:3. The word would indicate that the majority of the converts were heathen and not Jews.
Living and true (ζῶντι καὶ ἀληθινῷ)
The only instance in N.T. of this collocation. It does not occur in O.T. For ἀληθινὸς genuine, see on Joh 1:9; see on Joh 4:37; see on Joh 7:28. Mostly in the Johannine writings. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
For they themselves - The people wherever we come. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
How ye turned to God from idols - This could not be spoken either of the Jews or of the devout persons, but of the heathen Greeks, and of such it appears that the majority of the Church was formed. See what is said on this subject in the preface to this epistle.
To serve the living and true God - The living God; in opposition to the idols, which were either inanimate stocks or stones, or the representations of dead men.
The true God - In opposition to the whole system of idolatry, which was false in the objects of its adoration, false in its pretensions, false in its promises, and false in all its prospects. |
17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
10 Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?
11 Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.
12 The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.
13 The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.
14 He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.
15 Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.
16 He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:
17 And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.
15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.