Bible Strands
1 Thessalonians 2:1
You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not in vain.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Thessalonian believers immediately after recounting his suffering and boldness in Philippi to ground his current appeal in recent events. He addresses them as brothers to establish familial accountability for his apostolic conduct.
The words — εἴσοδον (eisodon) denotes a physical "coming" or entry, specifying the actual arrival and initial ministerial work in their city. οἴδατε (oidate) means "you know," serving as a direct appeal to their shared memory rather than a claim of universal knowledge.
The thread — The concept of labor or proclamation not being "in vain" appears in 1 Corinthians 15:2, which warns that holding firmly to the preached word prevents faith from being empty. It also aligns with the prayer in 2 Thessalonians 3:1 for the word of the Lord to spread rapidly and be honored among listeners.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to verify their own reception of the gospel against the observable impact of the preacher's labor. It demands that the audience acknowledge the visit produced genuine results, thereby confirming the message's divine authority and the preacher's integrity.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
Cross-references
- 2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you.
- Habakkuk 2:13 Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain?
- 1 Corinthians 15:2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
- Philippians 2:16 as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13 And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe.
- Job 39:16 She treats her young harshly, as if not her own, with no concern that her labor was in vain.
- Psalms 127:1 A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.
- Isaiah 49:4 But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength in futility and vanity; yet My vindication is with the LORD, and My reward is with My God.”
- Isaiah 65:23 They will not labor in vain or bear children doomed to disaster; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD—they and their descendants with them.