The apostle having described the coming of Christ to raise the dead, judge the world, and carry the righteous with him to heaven, does not quit the awful subject, but proceeds in this chapter to foretel the terror which his appearance will occasion to the unrighteous, and the punishment which he wil... [ Continue Reading ]
_For yourselves know perfectly_ It being a matter plainly revealed both by Christ and his apostles; _that the day of the Lord_ That great decisive day, to which our eyes and hearts are so much directed; _so cometh as a thief in the night_ Cometh suddenly and unexpectedly; and will occasion the great... [ Continue Reading ]
_But ye, brethren, are not_ As formerly; _in darkness_ In a state of gross ignorance respecting these and all other divine things; _that that_ awful _day_ Or the day of death, introductory thereto; _should overtake you as a thief_ Should surprise you in an unprepared state. _Ye are all children of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_For they that sleep, sleep in the night_, &c. Night is the time for sleep, and they that are guilty of drunkenness, gluttony, and other vices of intemperance, generally choose to hide them under the cover of darkness; and if we were still in the night of heathenish ignorance, and in a state of spir... [ Continue Reading ]
_We beseech you, brethren, to know_ See, mark, take knowledge of _them_ that, 1st, _Labour among you_ Namely, in the work of the ministry, by preaching, teaching, catechising, visiting the sick, administering the ordinances: 2d, _Are over you_ Greek, προισταμενους, _who preside over you;_ preventing... [ Continue Reading ]
_We exhort you, brethren_ Not only you who are pastors and rulers, but you that are private members of the church; _warn them that are unruly_ Greek, ατακτους, _disorderly;_ them that stand, as it were, out of their ranks in the spiritual warfare: for it is a military term, expressing the character... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rejoice evermore_ In your present privileges and future hopes. See note on Romans 14:17; Php 4:4; 1 Peter 1:6. _Pray without ceasing_ In order to maintain and improve this holy joy, be always in a spirit of prayer, that is, retain a continual sense of your spiritual wants, and of your dependance on... [ Continue Reading ]
_Quench not the Spirit_ Which, wherever it is, burns more or less, yea, flames in holy love, in joy, prayer, thanksgiving: O quench it not, damp it not, in yourself or others, by giving way to any lust or passion, any affection or disposition, contrary to holiness, either by neglecting to do good, o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Despise not prophesyings_ That is, the preaching of God's word; for the apostle is not here speaking of extraordinary gifts, but of such as are ordinary. It seems one means of grace is put for all; and whoever despises or makes light of any of these, much more that _sets_ them _at naught_, as the o... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the very God of peace_ Αυτος δε ο Θεος της ειρηνης, literally, _May the God of peace himself;_ that is, he who is ready to give you peace with himself after all you have done; who is in Christ reconciling you to himself, not imputing your trespasses unto you, if in repentance and faith you turn... [ Continue Reading ]
_I charge you_ Greek, ορκιζω υμας, _I adjure you_, that is, I lay you under the obligation of an oath; _that this epistle_ The first he wrote; _be read to all the holy brethren_ Namely, of your church. The reader must observe, that in judicial oaths, the custom among the Jews was not for the person... [ Continue Reading ]