CHAPTER V. _The apostle continues to speak of Christ's coming to judgment,_ _and the uncertainty of the time in which it shall take place,_ _and the careless state of sinners_, 1-3. _Shows the Thessalonians that they are children of the light;_ _that they should watch and pray, and put on the a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Thessalonians 5:3. _FOR WHEN THEY SHALL SAY, PEACE AND SAFETY_] This points out, very particularly, the state of the Jewish people when the Romans came against them; and so fully persuaded were they that God would not deliver the city and temple to their enemies, that they refused every over... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Thessalonians 5:4. _BUT YE, BRETHREN, ARE NOT IN DARKNESS_] Probably St. Paul refers to a notion that was very prevalent among the Jews, viz.: that God would judge the _Gentiles_ in the _night time_, when utterly secure and careless; but he would judge the _Jews_ in the _day time_, when emp... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Thessalonians 5:5. _YE ARE ALL THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT_] Ye are children of God, and enjoy both his _light_ and _life_. Ye are _Christians_-ye belong to him who has brought _life_ and _immortality_ to _light_ by his Gospel. This dispensation, under which ye are, has _illustrated_ all the prece... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 6. _LET US NOT SLEEP, AS_ DO _OTHERS_] Let _us_ who are of the _day_-who believe the Gospel and belong to Christ, not give way to a careless, unconcerned state of mind, like to the Gentiles and sinners in general, who are stupified and blinded by sin, so that they neither _think_ nor _feel_; b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 7. _FOR THEY THAT SLEEP_] Sleepers and drunkards seek the night season; so the careless and the profligate persons indulge their evil propensities, and avoid all means of instruction; they prefer their ignorance to the word of God's grace, and to the light of life. There seems to be here an al... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. _PUTTING ON THE BREASTPLATE_] We are not only called to WORK, but we are called also to _fight_; and that we may not be surprised, we must _watch_; and that we may be in a condition to defend ourselves, we must be sober; and that we may be enabled to conquer, we must be _armed_: and what t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _FOR GOD HATH NOT APPOINTED US TO WRATH_] So then it appears that _some_ were _appointed to wrath_, εις οργην, _to_ _punishment_; on this subject there can be no dispute. But _who_ are they? _When_ did this appointment take place? And for what _cause_? These are supposed to be "very diffic... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 10. _WHO DIED FOR US_] His death was an atoning sacrifice for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews. _WHETHER WE WAKE OR SLEEP_] Whether we _live_ or _die_, whether we are in this state or in the other world, we shall live together with him-shall enjoy his life, and the consolations of his Sp... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 11. _COMFORT - ONE ANOTHER_] Rest assured that, in all times and circumstances, it shall be well with the righteous; let every man lay this to heart; and with this consideration _comfort_ and _edify each other_ in all trials and difficulties.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 12. _KNOW THEM_] Act _kindly_ towards them; _acknowledge_ them as the messengers of Christ; and treat them with _tenderness_ and _respect_. This is a frequent meaning of the word γινωσκω. John 1:10. _THEM WHICH LABOUR AMONG YOU_] The words τους κοπιωντας have appeared to some as expressing th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 13. _ESTEEM THEM VERY HIGHLY IN LOVE_] Christian ministers, who preach the _whole truth_, and _labour_ in the word and doctrine, are entitled to more than _respect_; the apostle commands them to be esteemed υπερεκπερισσου, _abundantly_, and _superabundantly_; and this is to be done _in love_;... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _WARN THEM THAT ARE UNRULY_] The whole phraseology of this verse is _military_; I shall consider the import of each term. ατακτους. Those who are _out of their ranks_, and are neither in a _disposition_ nor _situation_ to perform the work and duty of a soldier; those who will not do the wo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _SEE THAT NONE RENDER EVIL FOR EVIL_] Every temper contrary to _love_ is contrary to _Christianity_. A peevish, fretful, vindictive man may be a child of Satan; he certainly is not a child of God. _FOLLOW THAT WHICH IS GOOD_] That by which ye may profit your brethren and your neighbours o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 16. _REJOICE EVERMORE._] Be always happy; the religion of Christ was intended to remove misery. He that has God for his portion may constantly exult. Four MSS. of good note add εν τω κυριω, _in the Lord: Rejoice in the Lord evermore_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _PRAY WITHOUT CEASING._] Ye are _dependent_ on God for every good; without him ye can do nothing; feel that dependence at all times, and ye will always be in the spirit of prayer; and those who feel this spirit will, as frequently as possible, be found in the exercise of prayer.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 18. _IN EVERY THING GIVE THANKS_] For this reason, that all things work together for good to them that love God; therefore, every occurrence may be a subject of gratitude and thankfulness. While ye live to God, prosperity and adversity will be equally helpful to you. _FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 19. _QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT._] The Holy Spirit is represented as a _fire_, because it is his province to _enlighten_ and quicken the soul; and to purge, purify, and refine it. This Spirit is represented as being _quenched_ when any _act_ is done, _word_ spoken, or _temper_ indulged, contrary to... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 20. _DESPISE NOT PROPHESYINGS._] Do not suppose that ye have no need of continual instruction; without it ye cannot preserve the Christian life, nor go on to perfection. God will ever send a message of salvation by each of his ministers to every faithful, attentive hearer. Do not suppose that... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 21. _PROVE ALL THINGS_] Whatever ye hear in these _prophesyings_ or preachings, examine by the words of Christ, and by the doctrines which, from time to time, we have delivered unto you in our preaching and writings. _Try the spirits_-the different teachers, by the word of God. _HOLD FAST THA... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 22. _ABSTAIN FROM ALL APPEARANCE OF EVIL._] Sin not, and avoid even the _appearance_ of it. Do not drive your morality so near the bounds of evil as to lead even weak persons to believe that ye actually touch, taste, or handle it. Let not the _form_ of it, ειδος, appear with or among you, much... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 23. _AND THE VERY GOD OF PEACE_] That same God who is the author of peace, the giver of peace; and who has sent, for the redemption of the world, the _Prince of peace_; may that very God _sanctify you wholly_; leave no more evil _in_ your hearts than his precepts tolerate evil in your conduct.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 24. _FAITHFUL IS HE THAT CALLETH YOU_] In a great variety of places in his word God has promised to _sanctify_ his followers, and his faithfulness binds him to fulfil his promises; therefore _he will do it_. He who can believe will find this thing also possible to him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 25. _PRAY FOR ME._] Even apostles, while acting under an extraordinary mission, and enjoying the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, felt the necessity of the prayers of the faithful. God requires that his people should pray for his ministers; and it is not to be wondered at, if they who pray not f... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 26. _GREET ALL THE BRETHREN_] Romans 16:16, Romans 16:16. Instead of _all the brethren_, the _Coptic_ has, _greet one another_; a reading not noticed by either Griesbach or Wetstein.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 27. _I CHARGE YOU BY THE LORD, THAT THIS EPISTLE BE READ_] There must have been some particular reason for this solemn charge; he certainly had some cause to suspect that the epistle would be suppressed in some way or other, and that the _whole_ Church would not be permitted to hear it; or he... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Thessalonians 5:28. _THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS_] As the epistle _began_ so it _ends_; for the _grace of Christ_ must be at the _beginning_ and _end_ of every work, in order to complete it, and bring it to good effect. _AMEN._] This is wanting in BD*FG and some others. It was probably not... [ Continue Reading ]