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Selected Verse: 1 Thessalonians 2:6 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
1Th 2:6	Strong Concordance	Nor [3777] of [1537] men [444] sought [2212] we glory [1391], neither [3777] of [575] you [5216], nor [3777] yet of [575] others [243], when we might [1410] have been [1511] burdensome [1722] [922], as [5613] the apostles [652] of Christ [5547].
	King James	Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Literally, "Nor of men (have we been found, Th1 2:5) seeking glory." The "of" here represents a different Greek word from "of" in the clause "of you . . . of others." ALFORD makes the former (Greek, "ex") express the abstract ground of the glory; the latter (apo) the concrete object from which it was to come. The former means "originating from"; the latter means "on the part of." Many teach heretical novelties, though not for fain, yet for "glory." Paul and his associates were free even from this motive [GROTIUS], (Joh 5:44). we might have been burdensome--that is, by claiming maintenance (Th1 2:9; Co2 11:9; Co2 12:16; Th2 3:8). As, however, "glory" precedes, as well as "covetousness," the reference cannot be restricted to the latter, though I think it is not excluded. Translate, "when we might have borne heavily upon you," by pressing you with the weight of self-glorifying authority, and with the burden of our sustenance. Thus the antithesis is appropriate in the words following, "But we were gentle (the opposite of pressing weightily) among you" (Th1 2:7). On weight being connected with authority, compare Note, see on Co2 10:10, "His letters are weighty" (Co1 4:21). ALFORD'S translation, which excludes reference to his right of claiming maintenance ("when we might have stood on our dignity"), seems to me disproved by Th1 2:9, which uses the same Greek word unequivocally for "chargeable." Twice he received supplies from Philippi while at Thessalonica (Phi 4:16). as the apostles--that is, as being apostles.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Literally, "Nor of men (have we been found, Th1 2:5) seeking glory." The "of" here represents a different Greek word from "of" in the clause "of you . . . of others." ALFORD makes the former (Greek, "ex") express the abstract ground of the glory; the latter (apo) the concrete object from which it was to come. The former means "originating from"; the latter means "on the part of." Many teach heretical novelties, though not for fain, yet for "glory." Paul and his associates were free even from this motive [GROTIUS], (Joh 5:44).

we might have been burdensome--that is, by claiming maintenance (Th1 2:9; Co2 11:9; Co2 12:16; Th2 3:8). As, however, "glory" precedes, as well as "covetousness," the reference cannot be restricted to the latter, though I think it is not excluded. Translate, "when we might have borne heavily upon you," by pressing you with the weight of self-glorifying authority, and with the burden of our sustenance. Thus the antithesis is appropriate in the words following, "But we were gentle (the opposite of pressing weightily) among you" (Th1 2:7). On weight being connected with authority, compare Note, see on Co2 10:10, "His letters are weighty" (Co1 4:21). ALFORD'S translation, which excludes reference to his right of claiming maintenance ("when we might have stood on our dignity"), seems to me disproved by Th1 2:9, which uses the same Greek word unequivocally for "chargeable." Twice he received supplies from Philippi while at Thessalonica (Phi 4:16).

as the apostles--that is, as being apostles.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Nor of men sought we glory - Or praise. The love of applause was not that which influenced them; see the notes on Col 1:10. Neither of you, nor yet of others - Nowhere has this been our object The love of fame is not that which has influenced us. The particular idea in this verse seems to be that though they had uncommon advantages, as the apostles of Christ, for setting up a dominion or securing an ascendancy over others, yet they had not availed themselves of it. As an apostle of Christ; as appointed by him to found churches; as endowed with the power of working miracles, Paul had every advantage for securing authority over others, and turning it to the purposes of ambition or gain. When we might have been burdensome - Margin, "or, used authority." Some understand this as meaning that they might have demanded a support in virtue of their being apostles; others, as Calvin, and as it is in the margin, that they might have used authority, and have governed them wholly in that manner, exacting unqualified obedience. The Greek properly refers to that which is "weighty" - ἐν βαρέι en barei - "heavy, burdensome." Anything that weighs down or oppresses - as a burden, sorrow, or authority, would meet the sense of the Greek. It seems probable, from the context, that the apostle did not refer either to authority or to support exclusively, but may have included both. In their circumstances it might have been somewhat burden some for them to have maintained him and his fellowlaborers, though as an apostle he might have required it; compare Co1 9:8-15. Rather than be oppressive in this respect, he had chosen to forego his right, and to maintain himself by his own labor. As an apostle also he might have exerted his authority, and might have made use of his great office for the purpose of placing himself at the head of churches, and giving them laws. But he chose to do nothing that would be a burden: he treated them with the gentleness with which a nurse cherishes her children (Th1 2:7), or a father his sons (Th1 2:11). and employed only the arts of persuasion; compare notes on Co2 12:13-16. As the apostles of Christ - Though the writer uses the word apostles here in the plural number, it is not certain that he means to apply it to Silas and Timothy. He often uses the plural number where he refers to himself only; and though Silas and Timothy are joined with him in this Epistle Th1 1:1, yet it is evident that he writes the letter as if he were alone and that they had no part in the composition or the instructions. Timothy and Silas are associated with him for the mere purpose of salutation or kind remembrance. That this is so, is apparent from Th1 3:1-13. In Th1 3:1, Paul uses the plural term also. "When we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; compare Th1 3:5. "For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith." Neither Silas nor Timothy were apostles in the strict and proper sense, and there is no evidence that they had the "authority" which Paul here says might have been exerted by an apostle of Christ.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Of men (ἐξ ἀνθρώπων) To extract glory from men. When we might have been burdensome (δυνάμενοι ἐν βάρει εἶναι) Lit. being able to be in weight. The phrase ἐν βάρει in weight is unique in N.T., and does not occur in lxx. The better rendering here is to be in authority. Paul means that his position as an apostle would have warranted him in asserting authority or standing on his dignity, which he did not do. Βάρος weight, in the sense of influence, is found in late Greek. Paul's Epistles were called weighty (βαρεῖαι), Co2 10:10 : others explain as referring to the apostolic right to exact pecuniary support.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Nor from others - Who would have honoured us more, if we had been burdensome - That is, taken state upon ourselves.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Nor of men sought we glory - As we preached not for worldly gain, so we preached not for popular applause; we had what we sought for-the approbation of God, and the testimony of a good conscience. When we might have been burdensome - They had a right to their maintenance while they devoted themselves wholly to the work of the Gospel for the sake of the people's souls. Others understand the words εν βαρει ειναι, to be honorable; we sought no glory of you nor of others, though we were honorable as the apostles of Christ. כבוד cabod, in Hebrew, to which the Greek βαρος answers, signifies not only weight but glory; and in both these senses the apostle uses it, Co2 4:17.

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¹⁶ For [3754] even [2532] in [1722] Thessalonica [2332] ye sent [3992] once [2532] [530] and [2532] again [1364] unto [1519] my [3427] necessity [5532].

⁹ For [1063] ye remember [3421], brethren [80], our [2257] labour [2873] and [2532] travail [3449]: for [1063] labouring [2038] night [3571] and [2532] day [2250], because [4314] we would [1912] not [3361] be chargeable [1912] unto any [5100] of you [5216], we preached [2784] unto [1519] you [5209] the gospel [2098] of God [2316].

²¹ What [5101] will ye [2309]? shall I come [2064] unto [4314] you [5209] with [1722] a rod [4464], or [2228] in [1722] love [26], and [5037] in the spirit [4151] of meekness [4236]?

¹⁰ For [3754] his letters [1992] [3303], say they [5346], are weighty [926] and [2532] powerful [2478]; but [1161] his bodily [4983] presence [3952] is weak [772], and [2532] his speech [3056] contemptible [1848].

⁷ But [235] we were [1096] gentle [2261] among [1722] [3319] you [5216], even as [5613] a nurse [5162] cherisheth [302] [2282] her [1438] children [5043]:

⁸ Neither [3761] did we eat [5315] any man's [3844] [5100] bread [740] for nought [1432]; but [235] wrought [2038] with [1722] labour [2873] and [2532] travail [3449] night [3571] and [2532] day [2250], that [4314] we might [1912] not [3361] be chargeable [1912] to any [5100] of you [5216]:

¹⁶ But [1161] be it so [2077], I [1473] did [2599] not [3756] burden [2599] you [5209]: nevertheless [235], being [5225] crafty [3835], I caught [2983] you [5209] with guile [1388].

⁹ And [2532] when I was present [3918] with [4314] you [5209], and [2532] wanted [5302], I was [3756] chargeable [2655] to no man [3762]: for [1063] that which was lacking [5303] to me [3450] the brethren [80] which came [2064] from [575] Macedonia [3109] supplied [4322]: and [2532] in [1722] all [3956] things I have kept [5083] myself [1683] from being burdensome [4] unto you [5213], and [2532] so will I keep [5083] myself.

⁴⁴ How [4459] can [1410] ye [5210] believe [4100], which receive [2983] honour [1391] one of another [3844] [240], and [2532] seek [2212] not [3756] the honour [1391] that cometh from [3844] God [2316] only [3441]?

⁵ For [1063] neither [3777] at any time [4218] used we [1096] flattering [2850] words [1722] [3056], as [2531] ye know [1492], nor [3777] a cloke [1722] [4392] of covetousness [4124]; God [2316] is witness [3144]:

⁵ For this [5124] cause [1223], when I [2504] could [4722] no longer [3371] forbear [4722], I sent [3992] to [1519] know [1097] your [5216] faith [4102], lest by some means [3381] [4458] the tempter [3985] have tempted [3985] you [5209], and [2532] our [2257] labour [2873] be [1096] in [1519] vain [2756].

¹ Wherefore [1352] when we could [4722] no longer [3371] forbear [4722], we thought it good [2106] to be left [2641] at [1722] Athens [116] alone [3441];

¹ Wherefore [1352] when we could [4722] no longer [3371] forbear [4722], we thought it good [2106] to be left [2641] at [1722] Athens [116] alone [3441];
² And [2532] sent [3992] Timotheus [5095], our [2257] brother [80], and [2532] minister [1249] of God [2316], and [2532] our [2257] fellowlabourer [4904] in [1722] the gospel [2098] of Christ [5547], to [1519] establish [4741] you [5209], and [2532] to comfort [3870] you [5209] concerning [4012] your [5216] faith [4102]:
³ That no man [3367] should be moved [4525] by [1722] these [5025] afflictions [2347]: for [1063] yourselves [846] know [1492] that [3754] we are appointed [2749] thereunto [1519] [5124].
⁴ For [1063] verily [2532], when [3753] we were [2258] with [4314] you [5209], we told [4302] you [5213] before [4302] that [3754] we should [3195] suffer tribulation [2346]; even [2532] as [2531] it came to pass [1096], and [2532] ye know [1492].
⁵ For this [5124] cause [1223], when I [2504] could [4722] no longer [3371] forbear [4722], I sent [3992] to [1519] know [1097] your [5216] faith [4102], lest by some means [3381] [4458] the tempter [3985] have tempted [3985] you [5209], and [2532] our [2257] labour [2873] be [1096] in [1519] vain [2756].
⁶ But [1161] now [737] when Timotheus [5095] came [2064] from [575] you [5216] unto [4314] us [2248], and [2532] brought [2097] us [2254] good tidings [2097] of your [5216] faith [4102] and [2532] charity [26], and [2532] that [3754] ye have [2192] good [18] remembrance [3417] of us [2257] always [3842], desiring greatly [1971] to see [1492] us [2248], as [2509] we [2249] also [2532] to see you [5209]:
⁷ Therefore [1223] [5124], brethren [80], we were comforted [3870] over [1909] you [5213] in [1909] all [3956] our [2257] affliction [2347] and [2532] distress [318] by [1223] your [5216] faith [4102]:
⁸ For [3754] now [3568] we live [2198], if [1437] ye [5210] stand fast [4739] in [1722] the Lord [2962].
⁹ For [1063] what [5101] thanks [2169] can we [1410] render [467] to God [2316] again [467] for [4012] you [5216], for [1909] all [3956] the joy [5479] wherewith [3739] we joy [5463] for [1223] your sakes [5209] before [1715] our [2257] God [2316];
¹⁰ Night [3571] and [2532] day [2250] praying [1189] exceedingly [1537] [4053] [5228] that [1519] we might see [1492] your [5216] face [4383], and [2532] might perfect [2675] that which is lacking [5303] in your [5216] faith [4102]?
¹¹ Now [1161] God [2316] himself [846] and [2532] our [2257] Father [3962], and [2532] our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], direct [2720] our [2257] way [3598] unto [4314] you [5209].
¹² And [1161] the Lord [2962] make [4121] you [5209] to increase [4121] and [2532] abound [4052] in love [26] one [240] toward [1519] another [240], and [2532] toward [1519] all [3956] men, even [2532] as [2509] we [2249] do toward [1519] you [5209]:
¹³ To the end [1519] he may stablish [4741] your [5216] hearts [2588] unblameable [273] in [1722] holiness [42] before [1715] God [2316], even [2532] our [2257] Father [3962], at [1722] the coming [3952] of our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] with [3326] all [3956] his [846] saints [40].

¹ Paul [3972], and [2532] Silvanus [4610], and [2532] Timotheus [5095], unto the church [1577] of the Thessalonians [2331] which is in [1722] God [2316] the Father [3962] and [2532] in the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]: Grace [5485] be unto you [5213], and [2532] peace [1515], from [575] God [2316] our [2257] Father [3962], and [2532] the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547].

¹³ For [1063] what [5101] is it [2076] wherein [3739] ye were inferior [2274] to [5228] other [3062] churches [1577], except [1508] it be that [3754] I [1473] myself [846] was [2655] not [3756] burdensome [2655] to you [5216]? forgive [5483] me [3427] this [5026] wrong [93].
¹⁴ Behold [2400], the third time [5154] I am [2192] ready [2093] to come [2064] to [4314] you [5209]; and [2532] I will [2655] not [3756] be burdensome [2655] to you [5216]: for [1063] I seek [2212] not [3756] yours [5216], but [235] you [5209]: for [1063] the children [5043] ought [3784] not [3756] to lay up [2343] for the parents [1118], but [235] the parents [1118] for the children [5043].
¹⁵ And [1161] I [1473] will very gladly [2236] spend [1159] and [2532] be spent [1550] for [5228] you [5590] [5216]; though [1499] the more abundantly [4056] I love [25] you [5209], the less [2276] I be loved [25].
¹⁶ But [1161] be it so [2077], I [1473] did [2599] not [3756] burden [2599] you [5209]: nevertheless [235], being [5225] crafty [3835], I caught [2983] you [5209] with guile [1388].

¹¹ As [2509] ye know [1492] how [5613] we exhorted [3870] and [2532] comforted [3888] and charged [3140] every [1538] one [1520] of you [5209] [5216], as [5613] a father [3962] doth his [1438] children [5043],

⁷ But [235] we were [1096] gentle [2261] among [1722] [3319] you [5216], even as [5613] a nurse [5162] cherisheth [302] [2282] her [1438] children [5043]:

⁸ Say I [2980] these things [5023] as [3361] [2596] a man [444]? or [2228] saith [3004] not [3780] the law [3551] the same [5023] also [2532]?
⁹ For [1063] it is written [1125] in [1722] the law [3551] of Moses [3475], Thou shalt [5392] not [3756] muzzle [5392] the mouth of the ox [1016] that treadeth out the corn [248]. [3361] Doth [3199] God [2316] take care [3199] for oxen [1016]?
¹⁰ Or [2228] saith he [3004] it altogether [3843] for [1223] our [2248] sakes [1223]? For [1223] our [2248] sakes [1223], no doubt [1063], this is written [1125]: that [3754] he that ploweth [722] should [3784] plow [722] in [1909] hope [1680]; and [2532] that he that thresheth [248] in hope [1680] should be partaker [3348] of [1909] his [846] hope [1680].
¹¹ If [1487] we [2249] have sown [4687] unto you [5213] spiritual things [4152], is it a great thing [3173] if [1487] we [2249] shall reap [2325] your [5216] carnal things [4559]?
¹² If [1487] others [243] be partakers [3348] of this power [1849] over you [5216], are not [3756] we [2249] rather [3123]? Nevertheless [235] we have [5530] not [3756] used [5530] this [5026] power [1849]; but [235] suffer [4722] all things [3956], lest [3363] we should [1325] [5100] hinder [1464] the gospel [2098] of Christ [5547].
¹³ Do ye [1492] not [3756] know [1492] that [3754] they which minister [2038] about holy things [2413] live [2068] of the things of [1537] the temple [2411]? and they which wait [4332] at the altar [2379] are partakers [4829] with the altar [2379]?
¹⁴ Even [2532] so [3779] hath [1299] the Lord [2962] ordained [1299] that they which preach [2605] the gospel [2098] should live [2198] of [1537] the gospel [2098].
¹⁵ But [1161] I [1473] have used [5530] none [3762] of these things [5130]: [1161] neither [3756] have I written [1125] these things [5023], that [2443] it should be [1096] so [3779] done [1096] unto [1722] me [1698]: for [1063] it were better [3123] for me [3427] to die [599] [2570], than [2228] that [2443] any man [5100] should make [2758] my [3450] glorying [2745] void [2758].

¹⁰ That ye [5209] might walk [4043] worthy [516] of the Lord [2962] unto [1519] all [3956] pleasing [699], being fruitful [2592] in [1722] every [3956] good [18] work [2041], and [2532] increasing [837] in [1519] the knowledge [1922] of God [2316];

¹⁷ For [1063] our [2257] light [1645] affliction [2347], which [3588] is but for a moment [3910], worketh [2716] for us [2254] a far [2596] [5236] more exceeding [1519] [5236] and eternal [166] weight [922] of glory [1391];