_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 4:1. AND TO PLEASE GOD, SO YE WOULD ABOUND MORE AND MORE.—R.V. inserts “even as ye do walk after God.” 1 Thessalonians 4:2. WHAT COMMANDMENTS.—R.V. “charge”; margin, “charges.” “The Greek word signifies an announcement, then a command or advice publ... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 4:4. HOW TO POSSESS HIS VESSEL.—R.V. “to possess himself of his own vessel.” With the long list of names in view of those who interpret “vessel” as meaning “body,” it is almost daring to hint at another meaning. The list, however, is strong of those... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 4:8. HE THEREFORE THAT DESPISETH.—Margin and R.V. “rejecteth.” He who pushes aside sanctification in his preference for uncleanness will have to reckon with God Himself. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF 1 Thessalonians 4:8_ A Word to the Despiser. I. THE CHRIST... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 4:9. YE HAVE NO NEED THAT ONE WRITE TO YOU.—St. Paul admits the brotherly love amongst them. It was adroit on his part, therefore, to make uncleanness an offence against brotherly love. TAUGHT OF GOD.—Is an expression only found here in the New Testa... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 4:11. STUDY TO BE QUIET.—R.V. margin, “Go: be ambitious.” “An example of St. Paul’s characteristic irony: the contrast between ambition and quiet, giving a sharper point to his exhortation, as though he said, ‘Make it your ambition to have no ambitio... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 4:13. THEM WHICH ARE ASLEEP.—The R.V. reading changes the perfect participle (“them who have fallen asleep and continue to sleep”) unto the present, “them that fall asleep,” as they drop off one after another. See on the expression our Lord’s beautif... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 4:15. WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN UNTO THE COMING OF THE LORD.—“We must recognise that Paul here includes himself, along with the Thessalonians, among those who will be alive at the advent of Christ. Certainly this can only have been a hope, only a... [ Continue Reading ]