Thomas Aquinas, on 1Thess 2:13

“Therefore, we also give thanks to God without ceasing: because, that when you had received of us the word of the hearing of God, you received it not as the word of men, but (as it is indeed) the word of God, who worketh in you that have believed.”

“In what has gone before the Apostle disclosed the character of his coming to them; here he indicates the character of their conversion. In treating this Paul makes two points. First, he shows that they have been perfectly converted as a result of their steadfast faith; secondly, he shows how courageously they persevered amidst tribulations (2:14). Paul first remarks upon their blessings, for which he offers thanks, and then he supplies a reason for this. So Paul says, and, since I have carefully preached to you, as a father to his children, I therefore thank God as a father does for the welfare of his children: "No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth" (3 Jn. 1:3). "With thanksgiving" (Phil. 4:6). But for what reason? For this, that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God. The preacher should give thanks when his preaching proves to be effective in the lives of his congregation. Paul tells them, you heard the word of God from us, that is, through us: "Let me hear what God the Lord will speak" (Ps. 85:8). "Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ" (Rom. 10:17). You accepted it, that is, you kept it firmly in your heart, not as the word of men; for the words of man are empty: "You desire proof that Christ is speaking in me" (2 Cor. 13:3). "No prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (2 Pet. 1:21). And why does he give thanks? Because the fact that you have believed, God has worked in you. "For God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). "Thou hast wrought for us all our works" (Is. 26:12).”

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