Nicholas of Lyra — Commentary on Scripture

1 Thessalonians 1:1

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here he begins this letter to the Thessalonians, though mentioning three of them, but they greet this congregation as if it was coming from one writer.

1 Thessalonians 1:2

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

This he says twice, just as he says later on in this same letter (5:17).

1 Thessalonians 1:5

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.

That is, through our preaching. has not been among you in word alone, but also in power that is, it has also come by the power of divine miracles.

1 Thessalonians 1:6

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

you became imitators of us and of the Lord
Imitating, that is, in faith and morals. Or CHRYS they were imitators of the Lord because He also endured many sufferings, but rejoiced.

but with the joy of the Holy Spirit
For the Apostle may had in mind concerning those things that are said in Acts, "And indeed, they went forth from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were considered worthy to suffer insult on behalf of the name of Jesus." (5:41)

1 Thessalonians 1:7

So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

So have you become a pattern for all who believe
that is, they were models of excellence.

in Macedonia and in Achaia
Those are provinces of Greece.

1 Thessalonians 1:8

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

For from you, the Word of the Lord was spread
Because of them the word of God has spread, so many who were previously silent from fear were made bold by their example, and preached openly and in many places.

not only in Macedonia and in Achaia
who are their neighboring locations

1 Thessalonians 1:9

For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

For others are reporting
that is, they applaud you.

1 Thessalonians 1:10

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Jesus, who has rescued us from the approaching wrath
that is the punishment of Gehenna.

1 Thessalonians 2:1

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

thus it was gentle and of good nature, yet it was very sincere.

1 Thessalonians 2:2

But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

that is from painful beatings.
at Philippi Which is a city of Macedonia.

1 Thessalonians 2:3

For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

For our exhortation
that is concerning the first things we taught.

was not in error
just like the teachings of the Epicureans, which at that thrived, as we see in Acts 17:18.

1 Thessalonians 2:4

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

so that the Gospel would be entrusted to us: As trustworthy servants.
Gospel: That is, the preaching of the Gospel.
so also did we speak: That is to proclaim accurately. Striving to please God, and not men.

1 Thessalonians 2:5

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

as you know
that is, by hearing and seeing.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

But God is faithful: That is, He always fulfills His promises.
He will strengthen you: That is, against the deceptions of the false apostles.
and he will guard you from evil: Especially while under persecution and tyrrany.

2 Thessalonians 3:7

For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

For you yourselves know: That is, knowing from experience.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

and uphold yourselves.

2 Thessalonians 3:14

And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Or, commune with him, but at the same time shun him.
so that he may be ashamed: In this way he will come to his senses and repent from his evil ways.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

May the Lord be with all of you: That is, at the present time and in the future glory.

Revelation 1:1

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

which must shortly come to pass That is, the trials of the Church which must come to pass quickly, because this proceeds from the divine command which is not able to be altered. This is for the testing of the faithful and to expand of their glory. sending by His angel Jesus appearing in this way.

Revelation 1:2

Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Who has given testimony to the word of God In the beginning of his gospel about his eternal Godhead saying, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God (Jn. 1:1)”; that is about to his incarnation, saying, “And the Word was made flesh, etc.(Jn. 1:14)” Therefore, he adds: And the testimony of Jesus Christ, That is, concerning Jesus Christ. he has seen In His way of life, in His miracles, in His death and resurrection, as he clearly shows in the words his Gospel.