Thomas Aquinas, on 1Thess 2:1

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

“Before, Paul commended the Thessalonians for having received God's word amid tribulations; now he praises them because they did not fall away as a result of difficulties; in mentioning this he does three things. First, he recalls their troubles; secondly, Paul points out the kind of remedy he applied to them (3:1), thirdly, the reason for the praise is given (3:8). Paul said before that everybody talks about them and about the role of the Apostle in their conversion. So Paul first treats of his visit; secondly, of their conversion (3:13). In treating the first point Paul does three things. First, he recalls the perseverance which he had maintained before he came to them; secondly, he recalls the sound character of the doctrine with which he converted them (2:3); thirdly, he recalls the genuine quality of his dialogue with the converts (2:10). Again, Paul divides the first point into two parts. First, he mentions the hardships which he had endured before he came to them; secondly, how he did not lose his confidence as a result of these hardships (2:2). He remarks then: I say that other believers are telling of our visit to you, which you are familiar with, for it was not in vain, in the sense of not worry-free, but rather arduous in the face of many hardships. Or perhaps, not in vain, in the sense of not inconsequential but rather rewarding: "The earth was without form and void" (Gen. 1:2). Or not in vain, meaning not transitory but rather enduring. "I did not run in vain or labor in vain" (Phil. 2:16).”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.