6, 7. ‘ As regards yourselves further, you on your own part also gave proof of your election by showing yourselves imitators of us— yes, and not of us only, but of the Lord. We refer more particularly to your attitude towards the Word, which was marked by a deep inward joy notwithstanding much outward affliction. So unmistakably indeed did you exhibit this spirit that you became an ensample to all Christian believers both in Macedonia and in Achaia.’ 6. καὶὑμεῖςμιμηταίκτλ.] A second proof of the Thessalonians’ ἐκλογή, which, instead of being thrown into a second subordinate clause dependent on εἰδότες, is stated in a separate sentence. Ὑμεῖς is emphatic, ‘ You on your part,’ while the periphrasis with ἐγενήθητε again lays stress on the moral responsibility of those spoken of (cf. Gildersleeve Syntax §§ 61, 141). Μιμηταί ‘ imitators’ (R.V.) rather than ‘ followers’ (A.V. and all previous Engl. versions): cf. 2:14; 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1, Ephesians 5:1, Hebrews 6:12, the only other places where the word is found in the N.T., and see also Xen. Mem. 1:6. 1:3 οἱδιδάσκαλοιτοὺςμαθητὰςμιμητὰςἑαυτῶνἀποδεικνύουσιν (cited by Koch). For the corresponding verb see 2 Thessalonians 3:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:9. The compound συνμιμητής is found in Philippians 3:17. κ. τοῦκυρίου] Ambrstr. ‘ipsius Domini, ’ Beng.: ‘ Christi, qui Parris apostolum egit, et verbum de coelo attulit, et sub adversis docuit’— a clause added to prevent any possible misunderstanding by showing the real source of what the Thessalonians were called upon to imitate: cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1, Ephesians 5:1, and for the title τοῦκυρίου see Add. Note D. δεξάμενοιτὸνλόγον] The special ground of imitation is now stated, consisting not only in the ‘ ready reception’ (Vg. excipientes, Calv. amplexi estis) of ‘ the word’ but in the interwoven affliction and joy with which that reception was accompanied. For δέχομαι see 2:13 note. θλίψει] Θλίψις (or θλῖψις, WSchm. p. 68) like the Lat. tribulatio, is a good ex. of a word transformed to meet a special want in the religions vocabulary. Occurring very rarely in profane Gk. writers even of a late period, and then only in the literal sense of ‘ pressure,’ it is found frequently both in the LXX. and N.T. to denote the ‘ affliction,’ ‘ trial,’ which is the true believer’ s lot in the world; cf. Romans 5:3; Romans 8:35; Romans 12:12; 2 Corinthians 1:4. For the existence of these afflictions at Thessalonica cf. 3:3, 3:7, 2 Thessalonians 1:4 ff.; and see Intr. p. 32. μετὰχαρᾶςπνεύματοςἁγίου] Πνεύματος gen. of originating Cause, ‘ joy inspired by, proceeding from the Holy Spirit’ : cf. Romans 14:17 χαρὰἐνπνεύματιἁγίῳ 15:13, Galatians 5:22. Thdt.: πάντωνμέγιστοντὸ ... πνευματικῆςἡδονῆςἐμφορεῖσθαι. For this union of suffering and joy as marking ‘ a new aeon’ in the world’ s history, see for St Paul’ s own case 2 Corinthians 6:10, Colossians 1:24, and for the Macedonian Churches generally 2 Corinthians 8:1-2; cf. also 1 Peter 4:13.