1. Tap, for) This refers to ch. i. 5, 6 ; for what was there laid down as the proposition, is now taken up again to be discussed, and that, too, regarding Paul and his companions, ver. 1-12 ; regarding the Thessalonians, ver. 13-16. — ov xsvy, not vain) but foil of power.
2. npotfaMvreg, having suffered before) that which might have deterred others from preaching.
3. Tap, for) For occurs again, ver. 5. There is a double reason assigned (^Etiologia), «, in the thesis, concerning their (his and his companions') regular and constant practice ; /3, in the hypothesis, how they behaved (proceeded) among the Thes salonians, ver. 5 and the following verses ; comp. with 2 Cor. i. 12, concerning his general and special mode of proceeding to wards others. — -rapa/a^ov?, exhortation) The whole preaching of the Gospel is so called, seasoned as it is with the sweetness of sufferings ; see ver. 2, with which comp. 2 Cor. i. 3, et seqq. napax^Tjovc, Zuspruch, has an extensive meaning ; when he rouses the slothful, it is exhortation (vapdxXrjffii) : when he ap plies balm to sorrow, it is comfort or consolation (napafAvdtov) ; comp. ver. 11, note. — ovx — ovds — ourg, not — nor — nor) He dis avows evil intentions, in relation to God, himself, and others. The antithesis to this is similarly universal, in the following verse, which should be compared with ver. 10 [where see the note on the similar threefold relation]. — O-JK J/c -TrXat^g, not from [of] deceit} namely, is ; comp. we speak, in the present, ver. 4. — oudg If axa$ap<r/ag, nor from [of ] uncleanness) This uncleanness is when the fruit of the flesh is sought after : comp. Phil. i. 16. The fruit of the flesh is somewhat subtile : Eigenheit, self-seek ing (seeking one's own honour or gain), peculiarity* Concern ing its antithesis, purity, see Acts xv. 9.
1 Beng., I conceive, contrasts purity, in the sense of singleness of aim for God's glory and Christ's, Matt. v. 8, with carnal seeking of self, the want of a pure intention, ov-fc a,yva$, not purely, Phil. i. 16. Comp. James iv. 8, Purify your hearts, ye double- i.iin&d. — ED,