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2:1 Nam ipsi scitis, fratres, introitum nostrum ad vos, quia non inanis fuit :
*H For yourselves know, brethren, our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:


Ver. 1. Vain. Our entrance among you was not in vain fables, or lies; our preaching was not in trifles: (Œcumenius) or rather was not without fruit. Others have spoken of it every where; but why refer you to others when yourselves know that it was every where followed by abundance of good works, faith, patience? &c. Estius.

2:2 sed ante passi, et contumeliis affecti (sicut scitis) in Philippis, fiduciam habuimus in Deo nostro, loqui ad vos Evangelium Dei in multa sollicitudine.
But having suffered many things before and been shamefully treated, (as you know) at Philippi, we had confidence in our God, to speak unto you the gospel of God in much carefulness.
* Footnote * Acts 16 : 19 But her masters, seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, apprehending Paul and Silas, brought them into the market place to the rulers.
2:3 Exhortatio enim nostra non de errore, neque de immunditia, neque in dolo,
*H For our exhortation was not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deceit.


Ver. 3. Our exhortation was not proceeding from error. [1] That is, was not by promoting errors, or uncleanness. Wi.

2:4 sed sicut probati sumus a Deo ut crederetur nobis Evangelium : ita loquimur non quasi hominibus placentes, sed Deo, qui probat corda nostra.
*H But as we were approved by God that the gospel should be committed to us: even so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who proveth our hearts.


Ver. 4. As we were approved of and chosen by God to announce his gospel, we have tried to correspond with his designs; and we speak in a spirit of disinterestedness, not to please men, but God. Being chosen by God, it is to him we must render an account. Have we spoken to you in words of flattery? Have we disguised the gospel truth, or concealed its austerity? Have we made piety a cloak for avarice? &c. Calmet.

2:5 Neque enim aliquando fuimus in sermone adulationis, sicut scitis : neque in occasione avaritiae : Deus testis est :
*H For neither have we used at any time the speech of flattery, as you know: nor taken an occasion of covetousness (God is witness):


Ver. 5. Nor taken an occasion of covetousness. Not so as to make the gospel a cloak for gain-sake. Wi.

2:6 nec quaerentes ab hominibus gloriam, neque a vobis, neque ab aliis.
Nor sought we glory of men, neither of you, nor of others.
2:7 Cum possemus vobis oneri esse ut Christi apostoli : sed facti sumus parvuli in medio vestrum, tamquam si nutrix foveat filios suos.
*H Whereas we might have been burdensome to you, as the apostles of Christ: but we became little ones in the midst of you, as if a nurse should cherish her children:


Ver. 7. But we became little, [2] by our carriage, and by our humility and kindness. In the Greek, made ourselves gentle, good natured, &c. Wi.

2:8 Ita desiderantes vos, cupide volebamus tradere vobis non solum Evangelium Dei, sed etiam animas nostras : quoniam carissimi nobis facti estis.
*H So desirous of you, we would gladly impart unto you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls: because you were become most dear unto us.


Ver. 8. Because you were become most dear to us. Lit. desiring you. [3] S. Chrys. admires the tender expressions of love in S. Paul. Wi.

2:9 Memores enim estis, fratres, laboris nostri, et fatigationis : nocte ac die operantes, ne quem vestrum gravaremus, praedicavimus in vobis Evangelium Dei.
For you remember, brethren, our labour and toil: working night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you, we preached among you the gospel of God.
* Footnote * Acts 20 : 24 But I fear none of these things, neither do I count my life more precious than myself, so that I may consummate my course and the ministry of the word which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
* Footnote * 1_Corinthians 4 : 12 And we labour, working with our own hands. We are reviled: and we bless. We are persecuted: and we suffer it.
* Footnote * 2_Thessalonians 3 : 8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nothing: but in labour and in toil we worked night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you.
2:10 Vos testes estis, et Deus, quam sancte, et juste, et sine querela, vobis, qui credidistis, fuimus :
*H You are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and without blame we have been to you that have believed:


Ver. 10. You are witnesses. We must necessarily conclude that the apostle speaks this not from vain glory, or personal vanity; but in the just right of defending his own character against the aspersions of enemies, and lest the faith of any might be staggered by the calumnies. In such cases self-praise is not only lawful, but frequently an imperative duty, if confined within the limits of truth. A.

2:11 sicut scitis, qualiter unumquemque vestrum (sicut pater filios suos)
As you know in what manner, entreating and comforting you (as a father doth his children),
2:12 deprecantes vos, et consolantes, testificati sumus, ut ambularetis digne Deo, qui vocavit vos in suum regnum et gloriam.
We testified to every one of you that you would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
2:13 Ideo et nos gratias agimus Deo sine intermissione : quoniam cum accepissetis a nobis verbum auditus Dei, accepistis illud, non ut verbum hominum, sed (sicut est vere) verbum Dei, qui operatur in vobis, qui credidistis :
*H Therefore, we also give thanks to God without ceasing: because, that when you had received of us the word of the hearing of God, you received it not as the word of men, but (as it is indeed) the word of God, who worketh in you that have believed.


Ver. 13. The word [4] of the hearing of God, which can only signify the word of God you heard from us. Wi.

2:14 vos enim imitatores facti estis, fratres, ecclesiarum Dei, quae sunt in Judaea in Christo Jesu : quia eadem passi estis et vos a contribulibus vestris, sicut et ipsi a Judaeis :
For you, brethren, are become followers of the churches of God which are in Judea, in Christ Jesus: for you also have suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they have from the Jews:
2:15 qui et Dominum occiderunt Jesum, et prophetas, et nos persecuti sunt, et Deo non placent, et omnibus hominibus adversantur,
Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and the prophets, and have persecuted us, and please not God, and are adversaries to all men;
2:16 prohibentes nos gentibus loqui ut salvae fiant, ut impleant peccata sua semper : pervenit enim ira Dei super illos usque in finem.
*H Prohibiting us to speak to the Gentiles, that they may be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath of God is come upon them to the end.


Ver. 16. To full up the measure of their sins, after which God's justice would punish them. Wi. — The Jews filled up the measure of their iniquities by the opposition they every where manifested to the religion of Christ. The earliest Fathers of the Church testify that they dispersed people into every nation to blaspheme the name of Christ; and hence sprang the evil fame which Christians bore among the pagans. See the apologies of S. Justin, Tertullian, Origen, &c. — For the wrath of God is come upon them to the end. It seems a foretelling of their entire destruction, which happened not long after under Vespasian and Adrian. Wi.

2:17 Nos autem fratres desolati a vobis ad tempus horae, aspectu, non corde, abundantius festinavimus faciem vestram videre cum multo desiderio :
*H But we, brethren, being taken away from you for a short time, in sight, not in heart, have hastened the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.


Ver. 17. Being taken away from [5] you. Lit. become desolate, because of our separation from you. Wi.

2:18 quoniam voluimus venire ad vos, ego quidem Paulus, et semel, et iterum : sed impedivit nos Satanas.
*H For we would have come unto you, I Paul indeed, once and again: but Satan hath hindered us.


Ver. 18. Satan hindered us. That is, has raised such an aversion to me among the pagans and Jews of Thessalonica, that my friends do not think it safe I should come among you. I am now detained from you by violence; but when this life is past, you shall form my joy and my crown. I will present you at the tribunal of my Saviour, and say: Behold me and my children; behold the fruits of my labours, the proofs of my fidelity, and my claims for a recompense. Calmet. — If the apostle here calls his disciples his hope, joy, glory, why may we not call the blessed Virgin Mary, or other saints, their joy and hope, for the special confidence they have in their prayers?

2:19 Quae est enim nostra spes aut gaudium, aut corona gloriae ? nonne vos ante Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum estis in adventu ejus ?
For what is our hope or joy or crown of glory? Are not you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
2:20 vos enim estis gloria nostra et gaudium.
For you are our glory and joy.
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