Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
our gospel--namely, the Gospel which we preached.
came--Greek, "was made," namely, by God, its Author and Sender. God's having made our preaching among you to be attended with such "power," is the proof that you are "elect of God" (1 Thessalonians 1:4).
in power--in the efficacy of the Holy Spirit clothing us with power (see end of verse; Acts 1:8; Acts 4:33; Acts 6:5, Acts 6:8) in preaching the Gospel, and making it in you the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). As "power" produces faith; so "the Holy Ghost," love; and "much assurance" (Colossians 2:2, full persuasion), hope (Hebrews 6:11), resting on faith (Hebrews 10:22). So faith, love, and hope (1 Thessalonians 1:3).
as ye know--answering to the "knowing," that is, as WE know (1 Thessalonians 1:4) your character as the elect of God, so YE know ours as preachers.
for your sake--The purpose herein indicated is not so much that of the apostles, as that of God. "You know what God enabled us to be . . . how mighty in preaching the word . . . for your sakes . . . thereby proving that He had chosen (1 Thessalonians 1:4) you for His own" [ALFORD]. I think, from 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12, that, in "what manner of men we were among you," besides the power in preaching, there is included also Paul's and his fellow missionaries' whole conduct which confirmed their preaching; and in this sense, the "for your sake" will mean "in order to win you." This, though not the sole, yet would be a strong, motive to holy circumspection, namely, so as to win those without (Colossians 4:5; compare 1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
1 Corinthians 4:20
Colossians 2:2
1 Thessalonians 1:1
1 Thessalonians 1:3
1 Thessalonians 1:6
1 Thessalonians 1:9
1 Thessalonians 2:1
2 Thessalonians 3:2
Hebrews 6:11
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