1 Thessalonians 1:5

Gospel. Gr. euaggelion (see on Mark 1:1). Paul is speaking of the gospel with which he and his companions had been entrusted (1 Thess. 2:4) and which they faithfully proclaimed. In the synagogue at Thessalonica Paul had opened the OT Scriptures and preached of a Messiah who would suffer and die for the sins of mankind and be raised again from the dead, and that Jesus was therefore the Christ (Acts 17:2, 3; AA 225-227). The power of this gospel was demonstrated by the many lives that were changed through its acceptance (Acts 17:4).

Word only. The apostle employed words to convey the gospel, but the manifestation of that gospel did not end with speech. The words were accompanied by manifestations of spiritual power.

But also. This expression, taken with the immediately preceding “only,” emphasizes the contrast between words and Spirit-inspired deeds.

Power. Gr. dunamis (see on Luke 1:35). See on 1 Cor. 2:4; 4:20, where “word” and “power” are contrasted. The period of Paul’s Thessalonian ministry (Acts 17:1-4), though brief, allows room for many miracles and demonstrations of the gospel’s might, although few details are given in the sacred record.

Holy Ghost. That is, Holy Spirit (see on Matt. 1:18). The phrase “in the Holy Ghost” implies that the gospel came to the Thessalonians through the activity of the Spirit, in an atmosphere conditioned by the Spirit, so that it might be truly said that the Holy Spirit’s influence permeated the whole operation. Thus Paul disclaimed personal credit for the success of the gospel message.

Assurance. That is, confidence, or conviction. The gospel was confidently and convincingly preached because Paul and his companions knew that they were empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Ye know. Paul appeals to the Thessalonians’ personal knowledge of the missionaries’ behavior among them. A man must have a clear conscience before making such an appeal to his own conduct, but Paul never feared to quote his own behavior among his converts. His several references to the life he lived in Thessalonica (ch. 2:1, 2, 5, 9-11) may imply that some were misrepresenting his behavior and endeavoring to weaken his influence.

He met such misrepresentations by claiming that not only the sermons but the lives of the evangelists preached the gospel, and that this was done for the sake of the Thessalonians themselves.