The Divine Lamp

The following notes are from Bishop John MacEvilly’s Expostion of the Epistles of St Paul, Volume 2, a public domain work first published in 1891. I have added some of my own notes, indicating them as such by using boldface italics.
Analysis:

In this chapter, the Apostle, after the usual form of Apostolic salutation (vs 1), informs the Thessalonians that he never omits praying for them, whenever he addresses his petitions to God, to whom he returns thanks for His abundant gifts of grace bestowed upon them, as manifested in their faith, their patience, and operative charity. From these gifts, as well as from those displayed in their conversion to the faith, the Apostle infers their election to grace and the segregation from this wicked world; and for this he renders thanks to God (2-6). he commends their constancy in the faith; in this respect, serving as a model not only to Macedonia, but to the entire province of Achaia(7). For, the edifying account of their faith has been spread abroad, both in these places, and in every other place with which they were in communication (8). He exhorts them to persevere in the same firmness and edifying constancy, in the expectation of the coming of Jesus Christ to judge the world.

Text 1:1-2a
1. Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy: to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
2. Grace to you and peace.

Paraphrase: At the time MacEvilly wrote, providing a paraphrase to the text was quite common among scholars. Such paraphrases sometimes introduce elements of Pauline theology into a text which may be only implied, or were only developed in latter letters. Modern paraphrase Bibles generally attempt something different, and the two should not e confused.
1. Paul and Sylvanus (or Silas) and Timothy (greet) the assembly of the faithful at Thessalonica, called to grace here and glory hereafter, by the mercy of God the Father, and through the merits of our Lord Jesus Cjhrist.
2. Grace to you and peace.

Notes:

1. “Sylvanus,” a Latinized form of the name Silas. The same who was chosen by Paul to be the companion of his travels after the departure of Barnabas (acts 15:40). Paul and Sylvanus met Timothy at Lystra, and he was so highly spoken of by the Christians there that St Paul asked him to accompany them on the mission. In chapter 2 of this letter we will see that St Paul sent him back to Thessalonica and his return to Paul from there is what occasioned this letter. The Apostle units him and Timothy with himself in this salutation, because, as sharers in his Apostolic labors at Thessalonica, they were beloved by the Thessalonians. No doubt they also (especially Timothy) had a hand in determining the content of this letter.

2a. “Grace to you and peace,” to which is added in the Greek, “From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” These words are not found, however, in the Vatican Manuscript, nor in other ancient versions, most modern translations omit them.

Text: 1:2b-3
2b We give thanks to God always for you all; making remembrance of you in our prayers without ceasing.
3 Being mindful of the work of your faith, and labor, and charity, and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God our Father

Paraphrase:
2b We always give thanks to God for the favors bestowed on you all; and we also, in our prayers, petition him for their increase and continuance.
3 Always mindful before God our Father of the works of your lively and operative faith, and of the labors which your charity prompted you to undergo, and of your patient endurance of afflictions and persecutions, under which you were supported by your hopes in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Notes:
“Labor and charity.” “And” is not in the Greek text. The words mean, “the labor of your charity;” charity must therefore be operative, and must brave all difficulties. Reference is probably made to their labors, in rescuing himself in the tumult excited against him at Thessalonica (see Acts 17). A more likely explanation is that Paul is preparing to remind them of practices contrary to the faith, such as giving up working and becoming dependent upon others for food. Some apparently were becoming idle (5:6, 14); and had given up work (3:10-12); possibly in a misguided attempt to prepare for the coming of the Lord (2 Thess 3:10-12).

“Before God,” is by some connected with the words “faith,” “labor,” &c.; and then it would express the characters of their faith, labor, &c., and mean the sincere workings of their faith, &c. The connexion in the Paraphrase is more probable. The grammatical structure of the Greek text of verse 3 is rather difficult and ambiguous. “Before God our Father” could be taken as relating to the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love; in such cases, it is necessary to translate “before God &c.,” after the virtues, as in the above translation. In such a case, the meaning would be that the virtues are performed in the sight/presence of God. “Before God &c.,” could also be understood in reference to the missionaries “remembering” of the Thessalonians virtues, with such remembering taking place in the presence/sight of God as they pray. In this case, the words would be placed before the mention of the virtues, as in the above paraphrase.