1 Thessalonians 2:1
New International Version
You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results.

New Living Translation
You yourselves know, dear brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not a failure.

English Standard Version
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.

Berean Standard Bible
You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not in vain.

Berean Literal Bible
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you has not been in vain.

King James Bible
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

New King James Version
For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.

New American Standard Bible
For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our reception among you was not in vain,

NASB 1995
For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain,

NASB 1977
For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain,

Legacy Standard Bible
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our entrance to you was not in vain,

Amplified Bible
For you know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you has not been ineffective (fruitless, in vain),

Christian Standard Bible
For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit with you was not without result.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit with you was not without result.

American Standard Version
For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain:

Contemporary English Version
My friends, you know our time with you wasn't wasted.

English Revised Version
For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You know, brothers and sisters, that our time with you was not wasted.

Good News Translation
Our friends, you yourselves know that our visit to you was not a failure.

International Standard Version
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a waste of time.

Majority Standard Bible
You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not in vain.

NET Bible
For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, about our coming to you--it has not proven to be purposeless.

New Heart English Bible
For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you was not in vain,

Webster's Bible Translation
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance to you, that it was not in vain:

Weymouth New Testament
For you yourselves, brethren, know that our visit to you did not fail of its purpose.

World English Bible
For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you wasn’t in vain,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For you have known, brothers, that our entrance to you has not been in vain,

Berean Literal Bible
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you has not been in vain.

Young's Literal Translation
For yourselves have known, brethren, our entrance in unto you, that it did not become vain,

Smith's Literal Translation
For ye yourselves know, brethren, our entrance to you, that it was not in vain:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For yourselves know, brethren, our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

Catholic Public Domain Version
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our acceptance among you was not empty.

New American Bible
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our reception among you was not without effect.

New Revised Standard Version
You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
SO you yourselves, my brethren, know that our entrance among you was not in vain:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And you know, my brethren, that our introduction to you has not been for nothing.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For you yourselves know, brethren, our entrance among you, that it was not in vain.

Godbey New Testament
For you know, brethren, our coming unto you, that it was not in vain:

Haweis New Testament
FOR ye yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in to you, that it was not in vain.

Mace New Testament
And you are satisfied, my brethren, that our address to you was not fallacious:

Weymouth New Testament
For you yourselves, brethren, know that our visit to you did not fail of its purpose.

Worrell New Testament
For ye yourselves, brethren, know our entrance to you, that it has not become vain;

Worsley New Testament
For ye yourselves, brethren, know our entrance among you, that it was not in vain.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Ministry
1 You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not in vain. 2As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God.…

Cross References
Acts 17:1-9
When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. / As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, / explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared. ...

1 Thessalonians 1:5
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.

2 Corinthians 1:12
For 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.

Philippians 1:5-7
because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, / being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. / It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partners in grace with me.

Galatians 1:11-12
For I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man. / I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:2
Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. / For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. / I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. ...

Acts 16:9-10
During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” / As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10
We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry. / Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities; / in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger; ...

Romans 15:18-19
I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, / by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

Acts 14:1
At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue, where they spoke so well that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.

2 Timothy 3:10-11
You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance, / my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

Acts 20:18-21
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. / I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews. / I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house, ...

1 Peter 2:12
Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”


Treasury of Scripture

For yourselves, brothers, know our entrance in to you, that it was not in vain:

our.

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.

1 Thessalonians 1:3-10
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; …

2 Thessalonians 3:1
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

in vain.

1 Thessalonians 3:5
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

Job 39:16
She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;

Psalm 73:13
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

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1 Thessalonians 2
1. In what manner the gospel was brought and preached to the Thessalonians.
18. A reason is rendered both why Paul was so long absent from them, and also so desirous to see them.














You yourselves know
This phrase emphasizes the personal knowledge and firsthand experience of the Thessalonian believers. The Greek word for "know" here is "οἴδατε" (oidate), which implies an intimate, certain knowledge. Paul appeals to their direct experience, underscoring the authenticity and transparency of his ministry. In a historical context, this personal witness is crucial, as it serves as a testament to the truth of the Gospel and the integrity of Paul’s mission.

brothers
The term "brothers" (Greek: "ἀδελφοί," adelphoi) is a term of endearment and equality, indicating the familial bond among believers. In the early church, this term was revolutionary, breaking down social and cultural barriers, and uniting Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free, under the common identity in Christ. It reflects the deep sense of community and shared faith that characterized the early Christian assemblies.

that our visit to you
The phrase "our visit to you" refers to Paul’s missionary journey to Thessalonica, as recorded in Acts 17. The Greek word for "visit" is "εἴσοδος" (eisodos), which can also mean "entrance" or "coming." This highlights the intentional and purposeful nature of Paul’s mission. Historically, Thessalonica was a significant city in Macedonia, a hub of commerce and culture, making it a strategic location for spreading the Gospel.

was not in vain
The phrase "was not in vain" uses the Greek word "κενή" (kenē), meaning "empty" or "without result." Paul asserts that his efforts in Thessalonica were fruitful and meaningful. This statement is both a defense of his ministry and an encouragement to the Thessalonians, affirming that their faith and transformation are evidence of the Gospel’s power. In a broader scriptural context, this echoes the biblical principle that God’s word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11), reinforcing the idea that divine purposes are always accomplished through faithful ministry.

II.

(1) For yourselves brethren, know.--The writers' purpose is practical, not didactic; they there-fore animate their converts with the stirring memories of their conversion. "We need not go to these foreign witnesses for the tale of how we came to you; for you recollect it as if it were yesterday." The "for" (as in 1Thessalonians 1:8) implies "for in fact," "for after all." The thought of 1Thessalonians 1:5; 1Thessalonians 1:9. is here resumed, but with a different purpose: there it was to prove that the work was God's work; here, "to stir up their pure minds by way of remembrance."

Not in vain draws a little too much attention to the result of their coming. It should be, not vain--i.e., not purposeless and idle. This may be seen from the contrast drawn in the following words.

Verse 1. - For yourselves, brethren; in contrast to other persons. Not only do strangers report the power and efficacy of our preaching among you, but you yourselves arc experimentally acquainted with it. Know our entrance in unto you; referring, not merely to the mere preaching of the gospel to the Thessalonians, but to the entrance which the gospel found into their hearts - to its coming, not in word only, but also in power (1 Thessalonians 1:5). That it was not in vain; not empty, useless, to no purpose, - descriptive of the character of the apostolic entrance among them. Our entrance among you was not powerless, unreal; on the contrary, it was mighty, energetic, powerful. The reference is chiefly to the manner or mode in which Paul and his companions preached the gospel, though not entirely excluding the success of the gospel among the Thessalonians (comp. l Corinthians 15:14, "And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain").

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
You yourselves
Αὐτοὶ (Autoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

know,
οἴδατε (oidate)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

brothers,
ἀδελφοί (adelphoi)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

visit
εἴσοδον (eisodon)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1529: (act of) entering, an entrance, entry. From eis and hodos; an entrance.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

you
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

was
γέγονεν (gegonen)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

not
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

in vain.
κενὴ (kenē)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2756: Apparently a primary word; empty.


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NT Letters: 1 Thessalonians 2:1 For you yourselves know brothers our visit (1 Thess. 1 Thes. 1Th iTh i Th)
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