*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
We give thanks to God. He praises, as he is wont, their faith and other virtues, not so much, however, for the purpose of praising them, as to exhort them to perseverance. For it is no small excitement to eagerness of pursuit, when we reflect that God has adorned us with signal endowments, that he may finish what he has begun, and that we have, under his guidance and direction, advanced in the right course, in order that we may reach the goal. For as a vain confidence in those virtues, which mankind foolishly arrogate to themselves, puffs them up with pride, and makes them careless and indolent for the time to come, so a recognition of the gifts of God humbles pious minds, and stirs them up to anxious concern. Hence, instead of congratulations, he makes use of thanksgivings, that he may put them in mind, that everything in them that he declares to be worthy of praise, is a kindness from God. [1] He also turns immediately to the future, in making mention of his prayers. We thus see for what purpose he commends their previous life.
1 - "Est vn benefice procedant de la liberalite de Dieu;" --"Is a kindness proceeding from God's liberality."
We give thanks to God always for you all - see the notes, Romans 1:9.
Making mention of you in our prayers - See the notes at Ephesians 1:16. It may be observed here:
(1) that the apostle was in the habit of constant prayer.
(2) that he was accustomed to extemporary prayer, and not to written prayer. It is not credible that "forms" of prayer had been framed for the churches at Thessalonica and Ephesus, and the other churches for which Paul says he prayed, nor would it have been possible to have adapted such forms to the varying circumstances attending the organization of new churches.
We give thanks - See Philippians 1:3, Philippians 1:4, and Colossians 1:3; where the same forms of speech are used.
(1) We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
(1) An example of proper Christian rejoicing, by which also we learn, that those who have great gifts in them, are in two ways governed: first, if they consider that they have received all from God, and second, that continuance must be desired at his hands. And to these things this whole epistle exhorts the Thessalonians.
We give thanks to God always for you all,.... For all the members of this church, Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, greater or lesser believers, officers or private Christians; for their being a church, for the gifts bestowed on them, for the graces hereafter mentioned that were wrought in them and exercised by them; the glory of all which is given to God, and thanks for the same, which shows them to be gifts of his, and not in the least owing to any merits of men: the apostle ascribes nothing to their free will, previous dispositions and qualifications, diligence and industry; nor does he attribute anything to himself and to his companions, who were only ministers by whom these believed; but he refers all to God, to his grace and goodness: and he returned thanks to him for it, and that "always"; whenever he thought of it, made mention of it, or was at the throne of grace, as follows,
making mention of you in our prayers; to God, daily, both in private and in public, at which times thanksgivings to God were made on their account; for thanksgiving is a part of prayer, and requests are always to be made known unto God with thanksgiving. The Ethiopic version renders this clause in the singular number, "and I am mindful of you always in my prayer"; and leaves out the word "all" in the former clause.
(Romans 1:9; 2-Timothy 1:3.) The structure of the sentences in this and the following verses, each successive sentence repeating with greater fulness the preceding, characteristically marks Paul's abounding love and thankfulness in respect to his converts, as if he were seeking by words heaped on words to convey some idea of his exuberant feelings towards them.
We--I, Silvanus, and Timotheus. Romans 1:9 supports ALFORD in translating, "making mention of you in our prayers without ceasing" (1-Thessalonians 1:3). Thus, "without ceasing," in the second clause, answers in parallelism to "always," in the first.
We. The plural, perhaps, is used because Silas and Timothy were joined in the greeting, but the Epistle is Paul's, not the joint work of three persons.
Give thanks. Almost all Paul's letters begin with thanksgiving.
Remembering . . . your work of faith. He states reasons for thankfulness.
Work of faith. Works which result from faith.
Labor of love. Toil for others caused by love for them and for Christ.
Patience of hope. Patient endurance of toil, hardship and persecution through a hope in Christ. Probably a hope that soon these would cease with the coming of Christ. The Thessalonians, as we learn, expected his speedy coming.
Knowing . . . your election of God. That you are of the elect, the "chosen nation." All Christians were the elect, and the expression is another way of saying, "Knowing that you have become Christians."
For our gospel came not unto you in word only. God gave the spoken word power, the power of the Holy Spirit which dictated it. Observe that the "power" is referred to the preachers.
Ye know. Ye know what was the life, the earnestness and the power in the Holy Spirit of us while we were preaching among you.
*More commentary available at chapter level.