1 Thessalonians 2:10
Verse
Context
Paul’s Ministry
9Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.11For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily - i.e., in reference to God; how justly in reference to men; and unblamably in reference to our spirit and conduct, as ministers of Christ, we behaved ourselves among you. What a consciousness of his own integrity must St. Paul have had to use the expressions that are here! No hypocrite, and none who did the work of the Lord carelessly, could make such an appeal both to God and man.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ye are witnesses--as to our outward conduct. God--as to our inner motives. holily--towards God. justly--towards men. unblamably--in relation to ourselves. behaved ourselves--Greek, "were made to be," namely, by God. among you that believe--rather, "before (that is, in the eyes of) you that believe"; whatever we may have seemed in the eyes of the unbelieving. As Th1 2:9 refers to their outward occupation in the world; so Th1 2:10, to their character among believers.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Ye are witnesses, and God also,.... Not so much to what goes before as to what follows after, relating to their holy walk and conversation among them, the more open part of which they were witness of; and for the more secret part God is appealed to, who is acquainted with the springs of actions, as well as with actions themselves: how holily, and justly, and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe. The Syriac version joins the last clause of the preceding verse with this, and reads the whole thus, "ye are witnesses, and God also, how purely and justly we preached unto you the Gospel of God, and how unblamable we were among all that believed"; referring the former part to the purity and integrity in which they preached the Gospel, and the latter to their unblemished conduct among the saints; but the whole of it refers to their conversation, which was holy, externally holy, arising from internal principles of holiness in their hearts, and free from that impurity and filthiness with which the false teachers were polluted; and confirms what is before said, that their exhortation was not of uncleanness: and it was likewise "just", they were righteous in the sight of God through the justifying righteousness of Christ, and in consequence of this lived righteously before men, and were injurious to no man's person nor property: and their conversation was also "unblamable"; not that they were, without sin, and so without blame in themselves, or without the commission of sin by them, or that they passed without censure in the world, for they went through honour and dishonour, through good report and bad report, and had all manner of evil spoken of them falsely for Christ's name's sake; but by the grace of God, they had their conversation among them that believed so, that there was nothing material to be alleged against them, or any just cause of blame to be laid either on their persons or their ministry; and which is mentioned for imitation.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:10 Both God and the Thessalonians were witnesses (see 2:5) that Paul’s conduct was devout and honest, terms used in ancient literature to describe obedience to both divine and human laws.
1 Thessalonians 2:10
Paul’s Ministry
9Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.11For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Apostolic Foundations (6 of 12)
By Art Katz77358:00ApostolicMAT 6:331TH 2:10In this sermon, the speaker begins by sharing his hesitation to speak and his decision to give a report on his recent overseas trip. However, he is reminded of a scripture that urges believers to exalt one another daily. He then reveals that upon his return, he discovered that four highly spiritual women in the congregation had fallen into moral disgrace and collapsed, leaving their husbands and entering new relationships. The speaker emphasizes the importance of guarding one's heart and thoughts in a world filled with subtle temptations. He highlights the need for integrity in both inner and outer behavior and encourages believers to have a conscience free from offense towards God and others.
The Power of a Blameless Life
By David Wilkerson53452:50Christian LifeMAT 6:331TH 2:101TH 3:8In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living a blameless life before God. He explains that true joy and blessings come from seeing others grow in their faith. The speaker encourages believers to stand firm in the Lord and not be swayed by worldly influences. He also highlights the power of living a holy and blameless life, stating that it is essential for effective evangelism. The sermon concludes with the reminder that God offers salvation and sanctification in the present moment, urging listeners to seize the opportunity to live a transformed life.
Humility and Sin
By Andrew Murray0GraceHumilityISA 2:11MAT 5:3ROM 7:18ROM 8:21CO 15:92CO 1:12EPH 3:81TH 2:101TI 1:15JAS 4:10Andrew Murray emphasizes that true humility is rooted not in a constant focus on sin, but in the recognition of God's grace and the displacement of self by God. He illustrates this through the life of the Apostle Paul, who, despite his past as a sinner, found his identity in being a ransomed sinner saved by grace. Murray argues that humility is the essence of holiness and is cultivated through a deep awareness of God's love and grace rather than through self-condemnation. He concludes that it is the revelation of God's grace that fosters a genuine humility, allowing believers to live in the light of God's redeeming love.
A Different Man in the Pulpit
By A.W. Tozer0IntegrityAuthenticity in MinistryPRO 10:9MAT 5:162CO 8:21EPH 4:1PHP 2:15COL 3:231TH 2:101TI 3:2JAS 1:221PE 5:2A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of integrity in the life of a pastor, arguing that a true servant of God should not change his character or demeanor when entering the pulpit. He warns against the hypocrisy of being a different person in ministry than in everyday life, advocating for a consistent spirit of reverence and authenticity. Tozer calls for pastors to embody the same values and behaviors in all aspects of their lives, ensuring that their public ministry reflects their private character.
Altogether Lovely
By C.H. Spurgeon0LUK 23:411CO 15:341TH 2:10TIT 2:131PE 2:23The preacher delves into the meaning of 'dikaios' which signifies manifesting right conduct in accordance with God's requirements, encompassing observable righteousness in all areas of life that cannot be condemned. This term is used in the New Testament to describe ethical behavior with integrity and uprightness, aligning with the law of rectitude. Believers are urged to live righteously, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age.
The Fruits of Perfect Love
By Daniel Steele0PSA 27:8ROM 14:172CO 6:6EPH 5:181TH 2:10HEB 12:21PE 1:51JN 1:31JN 3:20Daniel Steele preaches about the joy of the abiding Comforter, emphasizing that true joy comes from Christ Jesus glorified in the soul by the Holy Ghost, filling hearts with joy-inspiring presence. He distinguishes between unnatural, natural, and supernatural joys, highlighting the joy of the Holy Ghost as a miraculous spring implanted in the believing soul. Steele discusses the importance of seeking the Giver, not just the gift, and cautions against seeking joy selfishly. He also explores the significance of a confessing mouth as evidence of a believing heart, and the necessity of the Holy Spirit's communion for a deeper understanding of God and victory over sin.
Day 118, Romans 7
By David Servant0ROM 6:61CO 4:42CO 1:121TH 2:102TI 1:3David Servant delves into Paul's response to Jewish objections regarding the Mosaic Law, explaining how believers in Christ are released from the Law through His death, not as a license to sin but to bear fruit for God by following the Spirit. Paul clarifies that the Law itself is holy and good, and it is sin against the Law that leads to death. He contrasts the experience under the Law with the freedom in Christ, emphasizing the transformation believers undergo from being enslaved to sin to being slaves of righteousness.
St. Paul, the Model Christian.
By Daniel Steele01CO 4:161CO 11:12CO 4:2PHP 3:14PHP 4:91TH 2:10Daniel Steele preaches about the importance of living a straight and upright Christian life, contrasting the crooked paths of sin and repentance with the straight path of righteousness exemplified by St. Paul. He emphasizes the need for believers to imitate Paul's example of moral character and self-conquest, following the straight line towards the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Steele highlights Paul's conscious pursuit of holiness and his unwavering commitment to living a blameless life, urging Christians to imitate him as he imitates Christ.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily - i.e., in reference to God; how justly in reference to men; and unblamably in reference to our spirit and conduct, as ministers of Christ, we behaved ourselves among you. What a consciousness of his own integrity must St. Paul have had to use the expressions that are here! No hypocrite, and none who did the work of the Lord carelessly, could make such an appeal both to God and man.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ye are witnesses--as to our outward conduct. God--as to our inner motives. holily--towards God. justly--towards men. unblamably--in relation to ourselves. behaved ourselves--Greek, "were made to be," namely, by God. among you that believe--rather, "before (that is, in the eyes of) you that believe"; whatever we may have seemed in the eyes of the unbelieving. As Th1 2:9 refers to their outward occupation in the world; so Th1 2:10, to their character among believers.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Ye are witnesses, and God also,.... Not so much to what goes before as to what follows after, relating to their holy walk and conversation among them, the more open part of which they were witness of; and for the more secret part God is appealed to, who is acquainted with the springs of actions, as well as with actions themselves: how holily, and justly, and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe. The Syriac version joins the last clause of the preceding verse with this, and reads the whole thus, "ye are witnesses, and God also, how purely and justly we preached unto you the Gospel of God, and how unblamable we were among all that believed"; referring the former part to the purity and integrity in which they preached the Gospel, and the latter to their unblemished conduct among the saints; but the whole of it refers to their conversation, which was holy, externally holy, arising from internal principles of holiness in their hearts, and free from that impurity and filthiness with which the false teachers were polluted; and confirms what is before said, that their exhortation was not of uncleanness: and it was likewise "just", they were righteous in the sight of God through the justifying righteousness of Christ, and in consequence of this lived righteously before men, and were injurious to no man's person nor property: and their conversation was also "unblamable"; not that they were, without sin, and so without blame in themselves, or without the commission of sin by them, or that they passed without censure in the world, for they went through honour and dishonour, through good report and bad report, and had all manner of evil spoken of them falsely for Christ's name's sake; but by the grace of God, they had their conversation among them that believed so, that there was nothing material to be alleged against them, or any just cause of blame to be laid either on their persons or their ministry; and which is mentioned for imitation.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
2:10 Both God and the Thessalonians were witnesses (see 2:5) that Paul’s conduct was devout and honest, terms used in ancient literature to describe obedience to both divine and human laws.