SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:13
¶ Por lo cual, tambin nosotros damos gracias a Dios sin cesar, de que habiendo recibido de nosotros la palabra para oír de Dios, la recibisteis no como palabra de hombres, sino (como a la verdad lo es) como palabra de Dios, la cual obra en vosotros los que creisteis.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:13
Verse 13. Ye received the word of God] Ye received the doctrine of God, not as any thing fabricated by man, but as coming immediately from God himself, we being only his messengers to declare what he had previously revealed to us. And ye have had the fullest proof that ye have not believed in vain; for that doctrine, under the power and influence of the Holy Ghost, has worked most powerfully in you, filling you with light, life, and holiness.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing , etc.] As for their election of God, ( 1 Thessalonians 1:4) so for their effectual calling by his grace, to his kingdom and glory, just now mentioned, as well as for their reception of the word of God as such, hereafter expressed; since their having it and receiving it, and the effectual operation of it in them, were owing to the goodness and grace of God, and therefore required a constant sense of the favour, and thankfulness, without ceasing, for it. The apostle having at large considered the manner of his and his fellow ministers' entrance among them without guile, flattery, covetousness, or any sinister view, and with all simplicity, integrity, labour, diligence, affection, and tenderness, returns to observe the reception their ministry met with, and the influence and effect it had upon them: because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us ; or the word of hearing of God, as the Vulgate Latin version from the Greek text literally renders it; that is, the Gospel which was preached by the apostles, and was heard and received by these Thessalonians: and it is called the word of God, because God is the author of it; it comes from him, and is ministered by his authority, and is a part of that written word which is given by his inspiration; and because his grace in choosing, redeeming, justifying, pardoning, adopting, regenerating, and giving eternal life to men, and the declaration of his will concerning saving them by his Son Jesus Christ, are the subject matter of it; and because he owns and blesses it, for the conversion and comfort of his people: and it may be called the word of hearing of God, because coming from him, and containing his will, and preached by his order, and succeeded by his power, hearing comes by it; it is divinely breathed by him; he speaks in it by his ministers, and he is heard of in it by his people; as he was by these believers, who heard his word both externally and internally; and received it into their understandings, so as to know it spiritually and experimentally; into their minds, not merely notionally, and so as to assent to the truth of it, and give credit to it, but so as to believe in Christ revealed in it; and into their affections, in the love of it, and with joy in the Holy Ghost; they received it gladly, and with meekness and readiness, so that it became the ingrafted word, and brought forth fruit in them: the manner in which they received it follows, ye received it not as the word of men : which is often fallacious and deceitful, at least dubious and uncertain, and not to be depended on; nor did they receive it as the words of wise men are received, and because it was clothed with the wisdom, eloquence, and oratory of men, for it was destitute of these; nor upon the credit and authority of men, no, not of the apostles themselves: but as it is in truth the word of God : it appearing to be agreeably to the perfections of his nature, and to the Scriptures of truth, and it bearing his impress and divine authority, they received it with much assurance and certainty, as infallible truth; and which was inviolably to be adhered to, without any alteration, without adding to it or taking from it; and to be had and retained in the greatest esteem and reverence, and never to be departed from: and that they received it in this manner, appears from its operation in them, which effectually worketh also in you that believe : the Vulgate Latin version reads, who worketh; referring it to God, as indeed it may be referred to him, as well as to his word; but the sense is much the same, for God works by and with his word, and his word only effectually works when it comes in power; or is the power of God unto salvation to them that believe; and when it does come with a divine commission and power, it effectually works to the quickening of dead sinners, the enlightening of dark minds, the unstopping of deaf ears, the softening of hard hearts, producing faith which works by love, encouraging hope, delivering from the bondage of sin, Satan, and the law, and comforting and establishing the hearts of the saints under all afflictions, trials, and persecutions.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 13-16 - We should receive the word of God with affections suitable to it holiness, wisdom, truth, and goodness. The words of men are frail an perishing, like themselves, and sometimes false, foolish, and fickle but God's word is holy, wise, just, and faithful. Let us receive an regard it accordingly. The word wrought in them, to make them example to others in faith and good works, and in patience under sufferings and in trials for the sake of the gospel. Murder and persecution ar hateful to God, and no zeal for any thing in religion can excuse it Nothing tends more to any person or people's filling up the measure of their sins, than opposing the gospel, and hindering the salvation of souls. The pure gospel of Christ is abhorred by many, and the faithfu preaching of it is hindered in many ways. But those who forbid the preaching it to sinners, to men dead in sin, do not by this please God Those have cruel hearts, and are enemies to the glory of God, and to the salvation of his people, who deny them the Bible.
Greek Textus Receptus
δια 1223 τουτο 5124 και 2532 ημεις 2249 ευχαριστουμεν 2168 5719 τω 3588 θεω 2316 αδιαλειπτως 89 οτι 3754 παραλαβοντες 3880 5631 λογον 3056 ακοης 189 παρ 3844 ημων 2257 του 3588 θεου 2316 εδεξασθε 1209 5662 ου 3756 λογον 3056 ανθρωπων 444 αλλα 235 καθως 2531 εστιν 2076 5748 αληθως 230 λογον 3056 θεου 2316 ος 3739 και 2532 ενεργειται 1754 5731 εν 1722 υμιν 5213 τοις 3588 πιστευουσιν 4100 5723
Vincent's NT Word Studies
13. Also - we. Also may point to an expression of thanksgiving in a letter from the Thessalonians to Paul. You say "we give thanks to God." We also give thanks. Comp. ch. i. 2.
When ye received the word of God which ye heard of us (paralabontev logon akohv par hmwn tou qeou). Rend. when ye received the word of the message (which came) from us, even the word of God. The words the word of the message from us form one conception, governed by paralabontev having received or when ye received; therefore from us is not to be taken as depending on having received, as Rev. when ye received from us the word, etc. Of God (supply the word) is added in order to correct any possible false impression made by from us. Akoh in N.T. means the sense of hearing, as Matt. xiii. 14; 1 Corinthians xii. 17; 2 Pet. ii. 8: or the organ of hearing = ear, as Mark vii. 35; Luke vii. 1: or a thing heard, a report, rumor, as John xii. 38; Romans x. 16. The phrase logov ajkohv or thv ajkohv the word of hearing, or word of the message, signifies the word which is heard. Comp. Hebrews iv. 2. See on the fame, Luke iv. 37.
Effectually worketh (energeitai). Referring to the word, not to God. Comp. Philip. ii. 13. In the middle voice as here, used only by Paul and James, and only of things. See Eph. iii. 20; Col. i. 29; James v. 16, and footnote on Col. i. 29. The noun ejnergeia, P o . It means power in exercise, and is used only of superhuman power.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:13 {And for this cause we also} (kai dia touto kai hemeis). Note kai twice. We as well as you are grateful for the way the gospel was received in Thessalonica. {Without ceasing} (adialeiptws). Late adverb for which see on #1:2 and for eucaristoumen see on 1:2. {The word of the message} (logon akoes). Literally, {the word of} hearing, as in Sir. 42:1 and #Heb 4:2 ho logos ts akoes, the word marked by hearing (genitive case), the word which you heard. Here with tou qeou (of God) added as a second descriptive genitive which Paul expands and justifies. {Ye received it so} (paralabontes) and {accepted or welcomed it} (edexasqe) so, {not as the word of men} (ou logou anqrwpwn), {but as the word of God} (alla logon qeou), {as it is in truth} (kaqws aleqws estin). this last clause is literally, {as it truly is}. Paul had not a doubt that he was proclaiming God's message. Should any preacher preach his doubts if he has any? God's message can be found and Paul found it. {Worketh in you} (energeitai en humin). Perhaps middle voice of energew (en, ergon, work) late verb, not in ancient Greek or LXX, but in papyri and late writers (Polybius, etc.) and in N.T. only by Paul and James. If it is passive, as Milligan thinks, it means "is set in operation," as Polybius has it. The idea qen is that the word of God is set in operation in you that believe.
