21 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
21 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results.
21 For you yourselves know, brothers,
21 So, friends, it's obvious that our visit to you was no waste of time.
21 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.
21 You yourselves know, dear brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not a failure.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:1
Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6
(Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6)
The apostle had no wordly design in his preaching. Suffering in a good cause should sharpen holy resolution. The gospel of Christ at first met with much opposition; and it was preached with contention, with striving in preaching, and against opposition. And as the matter of the apostle's exhortation was true and pure, the manner of his speaking was without guile. The gospel of Christ is designed for mortifying corrupt affections, and that men may be brought under the power of faith. This is the great motive to sincerity, to consider that God not only sees all we do, but knows our thoughts afar off, and searches the heart. And it is from this God who trieth our hearts, that we must receive our reward. The evidences of the apostle's sincerity were, that he avoided flattery and covetousness. He avoided ambition and vain-glory.