1_Pray for us_. Though the Lord powerfully aided him, and though he surpassed all others in earnestness of prayer, he nevertheless does not despise the prayers of believers, by which the Lord would have us aided. It becomes us, after his example, eagerly to desire this aid, and to stir up our brethr... [ Continue Reading ]
2_That we may be delivered_. The old interpreter has rendered it, not unhappily, in my opinion — _unreasonable _(693) Now, by this term, as also by that which immediately follows, ( τῶν πονηρῶν,) _evil_, Paul means wicked and treacherous men, who lurked in the Church, under the name of Christians, o... [ Continue Reading ]
3_But God is faithful_. As it was possible that their minds, influenced by unfavorable reports, might come to entertain some doubts as to Paul’s ministry, having taught them that faith is not always found in men, he now calls them back to God, and says that he is _faithful_, so as to confirm them ag... [ Continue Reading ]
4_We have confidence_. By this preface he prepares the way for proceeding to give the instruction, which we shall find him immediately afterwards subjoining. For the confidence which he says he has respecting them, made them much more ready to obey than if he had required obedience from them in a wa... [ Continue Reading ]
As, however, he states here in a summary manner the things that he knew to be most necessary for Christians, let every one make it his endeavor to make proficiency in these two things, in so far as he desires to make progress towards perfection. And, unquestionably, the love of God cannot reign in u... [ Continue Reading ]
He now proceeds to the correcting of a particular fault. As there were some indolent, and at the same time curious and prattling persons, who, in order that they might scrape together a living at the expense of others, wandered about from house to house, he forbids that their indolence should be enc... [ Continue Reading ]
9_Not because we have not_. As Paul wished by his laboring to set an example, that idle persons might not like drones (707) eat the bread of others, so he was not willing that this very thing (708) should do injury to the ministers of the word, so that the Churches should defraud them of their prope... [ Continue Reading ]
10_He that will not labor_. From its being written in Psalms 128:2 — Thou art blessed, eating of the labor of thy hands, also in Proverbs 10:4, The blessing of the Lord is upon the hands of him that laboreth, it is certain that indolence and idleness are accursed of God. Besides, we know that man... [ Continue Reading ]
11_We hear that there are some among you_. It is probable that this kind of drones were, as it were, the seed of idle monkhood. For, from the very beginning, there were some who, under pretext of religion, either made free with the tables of others, or craftily drew to themselves the substance of th... [ Continue Reading ]
12_Now we command such_. He corrects both of the faults of which he had made mention — a blustering restlessness, and retirement from useful employment. He accordingly exhorts them, in the first place, to cultivate repose — that is, to keep themselves _quietly _within the limits of their calling, or... [ Continue Reading ]
13_And you, brethren_. Ambrose is of opinion that this is added lest the rich should, in a niggardly spirit, refuse to lend their aid to the poor, because he had exhorted them to _eat every one his own bread_. And, unquestionably, we see how many are unbefittingly ingenious in catching at a pretext... [ Continue Reading ]
14_If any one obeys not_. He has already declared previously, that he commands nothing but _from the Lord_. Hence the man, that would not obey, would not be contumacious against a mere man, but would be rebellious against God himself; (727) and accordingly he teaches that such persons ought to be se... [ Continue Reading ]
15_Regard him not as an enemy_. He immediately adds a softening of his rigor; for, as he elsewhere commands, we must take care that the offender be not _swallowed up with sorrow_, (2 Corinthians 2:7,) which would take place if severity were excessive. Hence we see that the use of discipline ought to... [ Continue Reading ]
16_Now the Lord of peace_. This prayer seems to be connected with the preceding sentence, with the view of recommending endeavors after concord and mildness. He had forbidden them to treat even the contumacious (731) as _enemies_, but rather with a view to their being brought back to a sound mind (7... [ Continue Reading ]
17_The salutation, with my own hand_. Here again he provides against the danger, of which he had previously made mention — lest epistles falsely ascribed to him should find their way into the Churches. For this was an old artifice of Satan — to put forward spurious writings, that he might detract fr... [ Continue Reading ]