But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. TIMES, [ chronoi (G5555)] - the general term for chronological periods in the great cycle of God's scheme of providence and grace. SEASONS, [ kairoi (G2540)] - the opportune times (Daniel 7:12; Acts 1:7). Time d... [ Continue Reading ]
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT. The apostles follow their Lord's parable, expressing how His coming shall take men by surprise (; ). 'The night is wherever there is quiet unconcern' (Bengel). "At midnight" (perhaps... [ Continue Reading ]
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. THEY - the men of the world. 1 Thessalonians 5:5; Colossians 4:13, "others:" all the rest of the world except Christians. PEACE (Judges 18:7; Judge... [ Continue Reading ]
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. NOT IN DARKNESS - of understanding (i:e., spiritual ignorance), or of the moral nature (i:e., sin) (Ephesians 4:18; 1 John 2:9). THAT, [ hina (G2443)] - 'in order that:' with God results are all purposed. TH... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 'Aleph (') A B Delta G f g, Vulgate, read 'FOR ye are all,' etc. Ye have no reason for fear, or surprise, by the coming of the day of the Lord: 'For ye are all sons [ huioi (G5207)] of light a... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. OTHERS, [ hoi (G3588) loipoi (G3062)] - 'the rest' of the world (1 Thessalonians 4:13). "Sleep" here is worldly apathy to spiritual things (Romans 13:11; Ephesians 5:14); in 1 Thessalonians 5:7, ordinary sleep; in 1 Thessalo... [ Continue Reading ]
For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. In the literal sense. Night is the time when sleepers sleep, and drinking men are drunk. To sleep by day would imply great indolence; to be drunk by day great shamelessness. In a spiritual sense, 'we Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. Faith, hope, and love, the three pre-eminent graces (; ). We must not only be awake, but also sober; not only sober, but also armed; not only watchful, but guarded. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, FOR - the ground of our "hope" (1 Thessalonians 5:8). APPOINTED US, [ etheto (G5087)] - 'set' (Acts 13:47), in His everlasting purpose of love (1 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Timothy 1:9). Co... [ Continue Reading ]
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. DEAD FOR US, [ huper (G5228)] - 'in our behalf.' So that we need have no doubt of the certainty of our salvation, since Christ has for us satisfied all the demands of justice against us. WHETHER WE WAKE OR SLEEP... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. COMFORT YOURSELVES, [ alleelous (G240)] - "one another." Here he reverts to consolation, as in 1 Thessalonians 4:18. ONE ANOTHER - Greek, 'edify (ye) one the other;' literally, 'build up' (believers forming the t... [ Continue Reading ]
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; BESEECH - "exhort" in 1 Thessalonians 5:14; here, "we beseech," as a personal favour (Paul making the cause of the Thessalonian presbyters his own). KNOW - to have respect for thei... [ Continue Reading ]
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. VERY HIGHLY, [ huperekperissou (G5240a)] - 'exceeding abundantly.' FOR THEIR WORK'S SAKE - the high nature of it alone, the furtherance of your salvation and of the kingdom of Christ, should be a su... [ Continue Reading ]
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. BRETHREN. This exhortation to "warn" [ noutheteite (G3560); "admonish," as 1 Thessalonians 5:12 ] the unruly (those "disorderly" persons, 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 2 Thessalon... [ Continue Reading ]
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Christianity first taught this. The British triad defines three classes: the man of the devil returns evil for good; the man of men returns good for good, evil for evil; the... [ Continue Reading ]
Rejoice evermore. In order to "rejoice evermore" we must "pray without ceasing." He who thanks God for all things as happening for the best, will have continuous joy (Theophylact). Philippians 4:4; Philippians 4:6, "Rejoice in the Lord;" Romans 14:17, "in the Holy Spirit" (who is, the originating... [ Continue Reading ]
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. IN EVERYTHING - even what seems adverse; for nothing is really so (cf. Romans 8:28; Ephesians 5:20.) So Christ (Matthew 15:36; Matthew 26:27; Luke 10:21; John 11:41). THIS - that ye should "in every thing give... [ Continue Reading ]
Quench not the Spirit. QUENCH NOT - The Spirit being a holy fire: 'where the Spirit is, He burns' (Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:3). Contrast 2 Timothy 1:6 [ anazoopurein (G329)], 'rekindle.' Do not throw cold water on those who, under the Spirit's extraordinary inspiration, speak with tongues, reveal mys... [ Continue Reading ]
Despise not prophesyings. PROPHESYINGS - whether exercised in inspired teaching (as distinguished from [ didachee (G1322)] 'teaching' under the ordinary influences of grace), or in predicting. 'Despised' by some, as fanatics had brought discredit on all extraordinary manifestations of the Spirit... [ Continue Reading ]
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. B Delta G f g, Vulgate, insert, 'but.' 'Aleph (') A C omit it. You ought indeed not to "quench the Spirit" nor "despise prophesyings;" 'but,' at the same time, do not take "all" as genuine which professes to be so; 'prove (test) them all.' Means of... [ Continue Reading ]
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. AND - `But' [ de (G1161)]. THE VERY GOD - rather, 'may the God of peace Himself' do for you by His own power what I cannot do by al... [ Continue Reading ]
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. FAITHFUL - to His covenant promises (John 10:27; 1 Corinthians 1:9; ; ; ). HE THAT CALLETH YOU. God, the caller of His people, will cause His calling not to fall short of its end. DO IT - preserve and present you blameless at Christ's comi... [ Continue Reading ]
Brethren, pray for us. B Delta read 'Pray ye also for [ peri (G4012), concerning] us,' even as we have been just praying for you (1 Thessalonians 5:23). 'Aleph (') A G g, Vulgate, omit 'also.' The clergy need much the prayers of their flocks. Paul makes the same request, Rom., Ephes., Phil., Col.... [ Continue Reading ]
Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. This letter was first handed to the elders, who communicated it to "the brethren." In ; ; , it is, "Greet one another." Not able to greet the brethren in person, he begs the eiders to do it for him. HOLY KISS - pure and chaste. "A kiss of charity" ();-`a... [ Continue Reading ]
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. I CHARGE, [ enorkizoo (G1774a)] - 'I adjure you.' READ UNTO ALL - namely, publicly in the congregation. The aorist [ anagnoostheenai (G314)] implies a single act done at a particular time. The earnestness of his adju... [ Continue Reading ]
(Note, , which is the longest benediction; as ; , "Grace be with you," is the shortest) Paul ends as he began (), with "grace." 'Aleph (') A, Vulgate, have, but B Delta G f g omit, "Amen:" probably the liturgical response of the church after the public reading of the letter. The subscription is com... [ Continue Reading ]