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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - 1 Thessalonians 1:5 - 1:5
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How that (hoti). It is not certain whether hoti here means “because” (quia) as in 2Th 3:7; 1Co 2:14; Rom 8:27 or declarative hoti “how that,” knowing the circumstances of your election (Lightfoot) or explanatory, as in Act 16:3; 1Th 2:1; 1Co 16:15; 2Co 12:3.; Rom 13:11.
Our gospel (to euaggelion hēmōn). The gospel (see Mat 4:23; note on Mar 1:1 and Mar 1:15 for euaggelion) which we preach, Paul’s phrase also in 2Th 2:14; 2Co 4:3; Rom 2:16; Rom 16:25; 2Ti 2:8. Paul had a definite, clear-cut message of grace that he preached everywhere including Thessalonica. This message is to be interpreted in the light of Paul’s own sermons in Acts and Epistles, not by reading backward into them the later perversions of Gnostics and sacramentarians. This very word was later applied to the books about Jesus, but Paul is not so using the term here or anywhere else. In its origin Paul’s gospel is of God (1Th 2:2, 1Th 2:8, 1Th 2:9), in its substance it is Christ’s (1Th 3:2; 2Th 1:8), and Paul is only the bearer of it (1Th 2:4, 1Th 2:9; 2Th 2:14) as Milligan points out. Paul and his associates have been entrusted with this gospel (1Th 2:4) and preach it (Gal 2:2). Elsewhere Paul calls it God’s gospel (2Co 11:7; Rom 1:1; Rom 15:16) or Christ’s (1Co 9:12; 2Co 2:12; 2Co 9:13; 2Co 10:14; Gal 1:7; Rom 15:19; Phi 1:27). In both instances it is the subjective genitive.
Came unto you (egenēthē eis humās). First aorist passive indicative of ginomai in practically same sense as egeneto (second aorist middle indicative as in the late Greek generally). So also eis humās like the Koiné[28928]š is little more than the dative humin (Robertson, Grammar, p. 594).
Not only - but also (ouk - monon, alla kai). Sharp contrast, negatively and positively. The contrast between logos (word) and dunamis (power) is seen also in 1Co 2:4; 1Co 4:20. Paul does not refer to miracles by dunamis.
In the Holy Spirit and much assurance (en pneumati hagiōi kai plērophoriāi pollēi). Preposition en repeated with logōi, dunamei, but only once here thus uniting closely
Holy Spirit and much assurance. No article with either word. The word plērophoriāi is not found in ancient Greek or the lxx. It appears once in Clement of Rome and one broken papyrus example. For the verb plērophoreō see note on Luk 1:1. The substantive in the N.T. only here and Col 2:2; Heb 6:11; Heb 10:22. It means the full confidence which comes from the Holy Spirit.
Even as ye know (kathōs oidate). Paul appeals to the Thessalonians themselves as witnesses to the character of his preaching and life among them.
What manner of men we showed ourselves toward you (hoioi egenēthēmen humin). Literally, What sort of men we became to you. Qualitative relative hoioi and dative humin and first aorist passive indicative egenēthēmen, (not ēmetha, we were). An epexegetical comment with for your sake (di' humās) added. It was all in their interest and for their advantage, however it may have seemed otherwise at the time.