1 Thessalonians 2:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.

NIV: You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results.

NASB: For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our reception among you was not in vain,

CSB: For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit with you was not without result.

NLT: You yourselves know, dear brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not a failure.

KJV: For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

NKJV: For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.

Paul reflects on his missionary venture in Thessalonica. It was not unproductive. As 1 Thessalonians 1:9 reports, Paul's readers had become his brothers. They had turned away from idolatry and had become servants of God, and they were anticipating Jesus' return from heaven. When God's Word is sent out, it always accomplishes the purpose God had in sending it. That message may fall on some hearts that are like rocky ground and become scorched by the sun; or it may fall on some hearts that are like a path on which birds devour the seed; or it may fall on some hearts that are like thorny ground that chokes the seed (Mark 4:1–9).

However, God's Word will surely fall—eventually—on good soil and produce an abundant harvest. Isaiah 55:10–11 relates a similar message about God's Word. He promises, "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth,making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

First Thessalonians 2:1–8 recalls Paul's brief three-Sabbaths visit to Thessalonica (Acts 17:2). He had served the Lord there honorably in the face of strong opposition. His message at Thessalonica was the pure gospel of God, and the Thessalonian believers had witnessed his holy, righteous, and blameless conduct. Here, Paul testifies that his intent was only to please God, not men, and that he strove to care for the Thessalonian believers as a mother would care for a child.

Paul begins to flesh out the general ideas he mentioned in chapter 1. Here in chapters 2 and 3, he further explains how he came to preach to the Thessalonian people. Paul particularly notes that his good conduct, proving his unselfish motivations, was instrumental in his success. The warm response of the people also endeared them to Paul, making him long to visit them again. Unfortunately, Paul was prevented from doing so, a struggle he attributes to Satan. Paul once again expresses his gratitude for the Thessalonian Christians' ability to honor God despite persecution.

Chapter 1 briefly introduced the relationship between Paul and the Christians at Thessalonica. This introduction is expanded in chapter 2, where Paul gives additional details about how he came to preach there, why he left, and what he has heard of their spiritual progress. Chapter 3 will round out this glowing report with a reference to a visit from Paul's friend and student, Timothy.

The apostle Paul's second missionary journey included a visit to the prominent Greek city of Thessalonica. This stood alongside a major land route and boasted a busy seaport. A number of individuals believed Paul's message (Acts 17:1–4), but an angry mob forced Paul to leave the city after his brief stay. Later, while in Athens, Paul received a glowing report: the believers at Thessalonica were growing spiritually and serving God fervently. However, they had questions about the Lord's return, including what happens to a believer who dies before that day. And, as all churches do, they had some areas in which they were falling short. In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, written about AD 51, he addresses these developments. Paul expresses gratitude for the Thessalonian believers' spiritual progress, and frequently makes references to Christ's impending return.