1 Thess 1:5 <closed moved elsewhere>

1 Thessalonians 1:5 (King James Version)

5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

What does this verse mean to you?

To me, this verse argues very eloquently against Sola Scriptura.

Note that the Apostle says that the Gospel did not come unto the Thessalonians "by word alone".

What does he mean "by word alone"?

I think he means, not by oral teaching alone. He is saying, "I not only told you, but I showed you."

The point here is that he doesn't even mention Scripture. He starts from the vantage point of oral teaching, which we call oral Tradition. He mentions power, the Holy Ghost, assurance and apostolic example, but he doesn't mention the Scriptures.

Therefore then, Scripture alone is eliminated. Because we start off with Tradition. When Scripture comes into the picture, Tradition is already there.

And that is what the Catholic Church teaches. Scripture and Tradition. Not Tradition alone. Not Scripture alone.

Of course, many Protestants claim that whenever the Bible mentions "word" it means Scripture.

In which case, the verse would read, " 5For our gospel came not unto you in Scripture only,....