Ye became followers of us - Ye became imitators, μιμηται, of us-ye believed the same truths, walked in the same way, and minded the same thing; knowing that our doctrine was of the Lord, and that the way in which we walked was prescribed by himself, and that he also suffered the contradictions of ungodly men.

Having received the word in much affliction - That they received the doctrine of the Gospel in the midst of much persecution we may learn from the history in general, and from Acts 17:5, Acts 17:6.

With joy of the Holy Ghost - The consolations which they received, in consequence of believing in Christ, more than counterbalanced all the afflictions which they suffered from their persecutors.

ye.

1 Thessalonians 2:14 For you, brothers, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus...

1 Corinthians 4:16 Why I beseech you, be you followers of me.

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be you followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

2 Corinthians 8:5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God.

Philippians 3:17 Brothers, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as you have us for an ensample.

2 Thessalonians 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample to you to follow us.

and of.

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

John 8:12 Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness...

John 13:13-15 You call me Master and Lord: and you say well; for so I am...

Ephesians 5:1 Be you therefore followers of God, as dear children;

1 Peter 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if you be followers of that which is good?

3 John 1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that does good is of God: but he that does evil has not seen God.

received.

1 Thessalonians 2:13,14 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard of us...

1 Thessalonians 3:2-4 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you...

Hosea 2:14 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably to her.

Mark 10:29-30 And Jesus answered and said, Truly I say to you, There is no man that has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother...

Acts 17:5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took to them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company...

2 Corinthians 8:1,2 Moreover, brothers, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia...

2 Thessalonians 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations...

with joy.

John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever...

Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord...

Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience...

Romans 8:16-18 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God...

Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Hebrews 10:34 For you had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods...

1 Peter 1:6,8 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations...

Of Love to God
I proceed to the second general branch of the text. The persons interested in this privilege. They are lovers of God. "All things work together for good, to them that love God." Despisers and haters of God have no lot or part in this privilege. It is children's bread, it belongs only to them that love God. Because love is the very heart and spirit of religion, I shall the more fully treat upon this; and for the further discussion of it, let us notice these five things concerning love to God. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial