How the Gospel Came to the Thessalonians
W. Jay. 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10 For our gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance… I. A FACT ASSERTED. "Our gospel came unto you." 1. Our gospel, not by way of revelation, but dispensation. They had it in trust for the advantage of others. And so sure were they that it came from God that they said, "If we or an angel from heaven preach any other," etc. 2. What is this gospel Good tidings; but the goodness of the news must regard the state of the receiver. The proclamation of deliverance will be acceptable only to captives. To offer pardon to the innocent or alms to the wealthy would be an insult. The gospel finds every man a sinner, and the relief it gives is adapted to his condition. Is he lost? Here is a Saviour. Is he unholy? Here is renewing grace. 3. This gospel came to them; they did not go to it or send for it. Nor did our heathen forefathers; nor did we. "I am found of them that sought me not." II. THE MANNER OF IT EXPLAINED. It came — 1. In word — by the translated scriptures and the preached word to you. Thus it must come to be received at all. But a mere theoretic knowledge — (1) Cannot answer the design of the gospel. God has not inspired men to write His word and then magnified it to amuse your minds or furnish you with materials for controversy. "All scripture...is profitable," etc. (2) Will aggravate your sin and increase your condemnation. It is a medicine which will either kill or cure: it will prove either the savour of life or death. "See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh." 2. In power. When this is the case — (1) It produces conviction of sin. The word at Pentecost was quick and powerful. It pricked men to the heart, etc. It is the same now. But it works conviction only for saving purposes. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and the word will come with power. (2) It gives comfort — and the comfort increases with the tribulation. "Ah," said Bolingbroke, "I find my philosophy fail me now in this affliction." Does the gospel fail? "Although the fig tree shall not blossom," etc. (3) It sanctifies. It calls us to be and makes us saints. Plato often complained that he could not bring the inhabitants of a single village to live according to his rules. But did the fishermen of Galilee complain in a similar way? We have seen the profligate become moral, the covetous liberal, the implacable ready to forgive. 3. In the Holy Ghost. This marks the nature and source of the power. The apostle does not refer to miraculous power — for that ceased with the early age, and miracles failed over and over again when they were worked to secure belief. This power is common to every age, and when exerted never fails. "Not by might nor by power." Melanchthon, in his zeal for God, hoped that all he addressed on the love of Christ would embrace Him as a Saviour; but he soon found that old Adam was too strong for young Melanchthon. 4. In much assurance — (1) of understanding, (2) of faith, (3) of hope. (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. WEB: and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.