1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2:1

But if I live in the flesh. In the body, i.e., on earth. This [is] the fruit of my labour. In this state the fruit of his labor is Christ. See Philippians 1:21. Yet what I shall choose I wot not. He can hardly tell whether he would choose the gain of death, or to continue to live in order that he may work for Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:2

Having a desire to depart. His feelings would lead him to choose to depart from the flesh. See Philippians 1:24. And to be with Christ. Note that with Paul to depart from the “flesh”, the body, is followed by going immediately to Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:3

Nevertheless to abide in the flesh [is] more needful for you. Though it is better to depart and dwell with Christ, the brethren need him “in the flesh”. That is the reason why he is in the strait. See Philippians 1:23.

1 Thessalonians 2:4

And having this confidence. Rather, “Being fully persuaded of this”. Sure that he is needed on earth by the churches, he has no doubt that he will be delivered from his present danger and abide and continue, live to further their faith.

1 Thessalonians 2:5

That your rejoicing may be more abundant. Nay, he is assured that the Philippians will rejoice over a visit from him. There is every reason to believe that his confidence was justified; that he was released and did again visit Philippi.

1 Thessalonians 2:6

That I may hear of your affairs, etc. Whether absent, or present, he wishes to know that they are perfectly united.

1 Thessalonians 2:7

And in nothing terrified by your adversaries. Probably there had been another outbreak of heathen violence at Philippi such as Paul and Silas endured. Acts 16:19-24 Which is to them an evident token of perdition. Your courage. When they see that they cannot terrify or overcome you, it will be a token to them of the ruin which will befall them, but to you of salvation, and that of God. But an assurance to you of your salvation, through the help of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:8

For to you it is given. Two things were granted: To believe on him. The privilege of believing in Christ. To suffer for his sake. That of suffering for Christ. Such was the lot of all ancient Christians. See Hebrews 12:3,4 1 Peter 4:16.

1 Thessalonians 2:9

Having the same conflict which ye saw in me. You saw when I was at Philippi what I had to endure (Acts 16:19). And now hear [to be] in me. You hear that I am now a prisoner threatened with death. You must expect similar conflicts and meet them with fortitude.

1 Thessalonians 2:11

Exhortation to a Holy Life SUMMARY OF PHILIPPIANS 2: Like-mindedness Commended. Lowliness Enjoined. The Lowliness and the Exaltation of Christ. Working Out Their Own Salvation. Becoming Lights in the World. The Relations of Paul and Timothy. Epaphroditus and His Sickness. If [there be] therefore any consolation, etc. The apostle does not doubt that there is consolation, comfort, spiritual fellowship, etc., in Christ, but bases an exhortation on what the Philippians knew to be the case. Bowels and mercies. “Tender mercies and compassion”, as in the Revised Version.

1 Thessalonians 2:12

Fulfil ye my joy. Make my joy full. They had already given him much joy (Philippians 4:1-10), but he desired one thing more; viz., that they be likeminded, in full agreement, perfect harmony. Having the same love. Loving one another with pure hearts fervently. [Being] of one accord, of one mind. Of one heart and soul. No outward strife.

1 Thessalonians 2:13

[Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory. No party spirit or striving for human praise. In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Instead of exalting himself, each is to exalt others in his esteem. He that is willing to serve is greatest.

1 Thessalonians 2:14

Look not every man on his own things. Do not look out for your own interests alone, but every man also on the things of others. For the interests of others rather than your own.

1 Thessalonians 2:15

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. He points to Christ as the example of humility and consecration to the good of others.

1 Thessalonians 2:16

Who, being in the form of God. He refers to the state of our Savior before he took human form. His form was divine. “He had a glory with the father before the world was” (John 17:5). See John 1:1 2 Corinthians 4:4 Hebrews 1:3, etc. Thought it not robbery to be equal with God. The Revised Version says, “Counted it not a prize”. The meaning is not entirely clear, but probably is that “Having a form of glory like God, he did not count it a prize which must be clung to tenaciously, especially when he appeared upon the earth, that he should be equal with God, that is, appear in a divine form, but was willing to lay aside his glory and make himself a servant”.

1 Thessalonians 2:17

But made himself of no reputation. “Emptied himself” (Revised Version). Of the divine form and glory, and took the form of a servant, of our own race, a race whose duty it is to serve God. The divine glory was exchanged for human lowliness.

1 Thessalonians 2:18

He humbled himself. Note the infinite condescension: (1) The form of God and sharing the divine glory. (2) He divests himself of this. (3) Nor does he then take the divine form, or even the form of an angel, but of lowly, sinful man. (4) But this is not all. He not only takes the form of man, but the mortality of the flesh, and dies. (5) Nay, more, he dies the most shameful and painful of all deaths, even the death of the cross.

1 Thessalonians 2:19

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him. His wonderful humility had been shown, but it is the law of the universe that he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Therefore God lifted him up from the grave to the heavens, gave all power into his hands (Matthew 28:18), and gave him a name which is above every name. The idea is an authority, a position, above that of all intelligences. This exaltation made the humble name, Jesus, a name above every name.

1 Thessalonians 2:20

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. That name, by the exaltation, has become the name of the King of kings. It is supreme. Hence, “every knee” in all the universe bows to its majesty. Under the earth. In the underworld, hades, the abode of the dead.