I Thessalonians 2:10
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You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Ye are witnesses--as to our outward conduct. God--as to our inner motives. holily--towards God. justly--towards men. unblamably--in relation to ourselves. behaved ourselves--Greek, "were made to be," namely, by God. among you that believe--rather, "before (that is, in the eyes of) you that believe"; whatever we may have seemed in the eyes of the unbelieving. As Th1 2:9 refers to their outward occupation in the world; so Th1 2:10, to their character among believers.
Open source ↗In this chapter the apostle puts the Thessalonians in mind of the manner of his preaching among them (Th1 2:1-6). Then of the manner of his conversation among them (Th1 2:7-12). Afterwards of the success of his ministry, with the effects both on himself and on them (Th1 2:13-16), and then apologizes for his absence (Th1 2:17-20).
Open source ↗2:10 Both God and the Thessalonians were witnesses (see 2:5) that Paul’s conduct was devout and honest, terms used in ancient literature to describe obedience to both divine and human laws.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake.
And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance,
When they came to him, he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia.
As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!
Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not regard their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.”
In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!