Devine Scripture

1 Thessalonians 2:1

What does 1 Thessalonians 2:1 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 2:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Thessalonians 2:1 means

Paul reminds the Thessalonians that their visit had real substance and fruit. Their “entering in” was not empty talk or a failed mission. God’s power was evident in changed lives and a church planted under pressure. By saying it “hath not been found vain,” Paul pushes back against rumors that his sudden departure meant he was a charlatan or a coward. The Thessalonians themselves know better, because they experienced the Gospel’s transforming effect. The authenticity of ministry is measured by faithfulness to God and lasting spiritual results, not by ease or applause. Paul begins here to defend both the message and the motives of those who brought it to them.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For you yourselves, brothers, are conscious that our coming among you was not without effect:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For yourselves have known, brethren, our entrance in unto you, that it did not become vain,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For yourselves know, brethren, our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For ye know yourselves, brethren, our entering in which [we had] to you, that it has not been in vain;

Context

After celebrating the Thessalonians’ faith, love, and hope in chapter 1, Paul now addresses doubts about his quick exit from their city. Verse 1 opens a defense of his ministry’s integrity. He starts with what the Thessalonians personally witnessed: their reception of the Gospel was not hollow. The next verses will recount hardship, courage, pure motives, and tender care. This sets the tone for the whole chapter, which alternates between reminder and reassurance, proving that the message and messengers were genuine despite opposition and absence.

v.1This passage

v.2but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we waxed bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God in much conflict.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 49:4

    But I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought and vanity; yet surely the justice due to me is with Jehovah, and my recompense with my God.

  • Galatians 2:2

    And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain.

  • Philippians 2:16

    holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:5

    For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:10

    when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day.

  • Job 39:16

    She dealeth hardly with her young ones, as if they were not hers: Though her labor be in vain, she is without fear;

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