1 Thessalonians
2:13
For this cause also thank we God without
ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye
received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God,
which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
a. NLT: Therefore,
we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you
didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the
very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in
you who believe.
b. NIV: And we
also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which
you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is,
the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
c. YLT: Because of
this also, we -- we do give thanks to God continually, that, having received the
word of hearing from us of God, ye accepted, not the word of man, but as it is
truly, the word of God, who also doth work in you who believe;
d. Amplified
Bible: And we also [especially] thank God continually for this, that when you
received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as
the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is
effectually at work in you who believe [[c]exercising its superhuman power in those who
adhere to and trust in and rely on it].
e. Worrell
Translation: And, for this reason, we also give thanks to God without ceasing,
that, having received the word of God which ye heard form us, ye received it,
not, as the word of men, but as is truly is, the word of God, which also is
working in dyou who believe.
1. “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because…”
a. for this [5124
* touto] [Strong: neuter singular nominative or accusative case of 3778; that
thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same,
there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).]
b. cause [1223 *
dia] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in
very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among,
at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in,
by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though,
through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same
general importance.]
c. also [2532 *
kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes
also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in
connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also,
both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]
d. thank [2168 * eucharisteo]
[Strong: from 2170; to be grateful, i.e. (actively) to express gratitude
(towards); specially, to say grace at a meal:--(give) thank(-ful, -s).]
e. we [2249 * hemeis]
[Strong: nominative plural of 1473; we (only used when emphatic):--us, we
(ourselves).]
f. God [2316 * theos]
[Strong: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the
supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding,
God, god(-ly, -ward).]
g. without ceasing
[89 * adialeiptos] [Strong: adverb from 88; uninterruptedly, i.e. without
omission (on an appropriate occasion):--without ceasing.]
h. because [3754 *
hoti] [Strong: neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes
redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that),
for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]
2. “…when ye received the word of God
which ye heard of us,
a. when ye received
[3880 * paralambano] [Strong: from 3844 and 2983; to receive near, i.e.
associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by
analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn:--receive, take (unto,
with).]
b. the word [3056
* logos] [Strong: from 3004; something said (including the thought); by
implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental
faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article
in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X
concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching,
question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk,
thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word,
work.]
c. of God [2316 * theos]
[Strong: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the
supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding,
God, god(-ly, -ward).]
d. which ye heard
[189 * akoe] [Strong: from 191; hearing (the act, the sense or the thing
heard):--audience, ear, fame, which ye heard, hearing, preached, report, rumor.]
e. of [3844 * para]
[Strong: a primary preposition; properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from
beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity
of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with
(local (especially beyond or opposed to) or causal (on account of):--above,
against, among, at, before, by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give (such
things as they), + that (she) had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of,
past, save, side...by, in the sight of, than, (there-)fore, with. In compounds
it retains the same variety of application.]
f. us [2257 * hemon]
[Strong: genitive case plural of 1473; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.]
3. “…ye received it not as the word of men…”
a. ye received it [1209
* dechomai] [Strong: middle voice of a primary verb; to receive (in various
applications, literally or figuratively):--accept, receive, take.]
b. not [3756 * ou]
[Strong: also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate)
ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or
not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, +
special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]
c. the word [3056
* logos] [Strong: from 3004; something said (including the thought); by
implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental
faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article
in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X
concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching,
question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk,
thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word,
work.]
d. of men [444 * Anthropos]
[Strong: from 435 and ops (the
countenance; from 3700); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.]
4. “…but as it is in truth, the word of
God…”
a. but [235 *
alla] [Strong: neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially)
contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay,
nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]
b. as [2531 * kathos]
[Strong: from 2596 and 5613; just (or inasmuch) as, that:--according to,
(according, even) as, how, when.]
c. it is [2076 *
esti] [Strong: third person singular present indicative of 1510; he (she or it)
is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not),
come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say),
make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.]
d. in truth [230 *
alethos] [Strong: adverb from 227; truly:--indeed, surely, of a surety, truly,
of a (in) truth, verily, very.]
e. the word [3056
* logos] [Strong: from 3004; something said (including the thought); by
implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental
faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article
in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X
concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching,
question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk,
thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word,
work.]
f. of God [2316 * theos]
[Strong: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the
supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding,
God, god(-ly, -ward).]
1). A critical but
vital component in this exercise of faith on the part of the believer, is the
believers attitude toward the Scriptures. We need to, as the Apostle Paul
writes, receive the word as “the word of God”, not as the word of men. We must
receive the Scriptures as the word of God! The declaration of a godly,
submissive, full of faith, heart attitude toward the word of God is all through
the Scriptures. It is God’s requirement for anyone to receive from Him. The
following examples are just a few.
a). 2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
b). Psalm 119:128
Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I
hate every false way.
2). When comparing
God’s word with what men say, we must judge God’s word to be true over what man
says.
a). Romans 3:1-4
What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
3:2 Much every
way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
3:3 For what if
some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without
effect?
3:4 God forbid:
yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou
mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art
judged.
b). Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the
testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no
light in them.
5. “…which effectually worketh also in you
that believe.”
a. which [3739 * hos]
[Strong: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588);
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one,
(an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se),]
b. effectually
worketh [1754 * energeo] [Zodhiates: to be at work, produce an effect, to show
activity.] [Thayer: to be operative, be
at work, put forth power.]
c. also [2532 *
kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes
also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in
connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also,
both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]
d. in [1722 * en]
[Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or
state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e.
a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at,
(up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as,
at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self
wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on,
(open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in,
-on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while,
with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely
with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically)
by a separate (and different) preposition.]
e. you [5213 *
humin] [Strong: irregular dative case of 5210; to (with or by) you:--ye, you,
your(-selves).]
f. that believe
[4100 * pisteuo] [Zodhiates: To believe, have faith in trust. [A derivative of
pistis-faith, 4102.]
1). Because pisteuo
#4100 is a derivative of pistis #4102 I want to add what Vines Expository Dictionary
of New Testament Words says about faith #4102. Vine: The main elements in faith in its
relation to the invisible God…are especially brought out in the use of this
noun and the corresponding verb, they are: 1. A firm conviction producing a
full acknowledgement of God’s revelation or truth [His word]. 2. A personal
surrender to Him. 3. A conduct inspired by such surrender.
2). Our faith links up together with the word of God, the word that is living and the Spirit of the Lord and produces the fruit and results of the word in our lives.
2). Our faith links up together with the word of God, the word that is living and the Spirit of the Lord and produces the fruit and results of the word in our lives.
a). Colossians
1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh
in me mightily.
b). I like the old
David Ingles song that says, “The Word is working mightily in me; The Word is
working mightily in me; No matter what the circumstance is, What I feel or see,
The Word is working mightily in me.”
c). Hebrews 4:12 For
the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
3). Our faith
links up together with the word of God that He has designed and purposed not to
return void but words that will accomplish what he has designed them to
accomplish.
a). Isaiah 55:11 “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
4). If we do not
believe, it will not work. Faith joins with the power in the word to produce
the God designed effect. A perfect example of this is in Matthew’s gospel.
a). Matthew
9:27-31 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and
saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
9:28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
9:30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
9:31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
9:28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
9:30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
9:31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
