_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 5:1. TIMES AND SEASONS.—The one is the even, continuous flow of the river, the other is the cataract. Seasons we may represent as epochs. Our Lord in the same words refused to gratify the curiosity of His followers (Acts 1:7). 1 Thessalonians 5:2. FO... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 5:12. THEM WHICH LABOUR AMONG YOU AND ARE OVER YOU IN THE LORD.—“A clear testimony, from this earliest New Testament writing, to the existence in the Church at the beginning of a ministerial order—a clergy as distinguished from the laity—charged with... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 5:14. WARN THEM THAT ARE UNRULY.—R.V. “admonish the disorderly.” Every Church knows these characters—men who will break through all restraint. COMFORT THE FEEBLEMINDED.—R.V. “encourage the faint-hearted.” In 1 Thessalonians 2:11 we have met the verb b... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— 1 Thessalonians 5:16_ The Secret of a Happy Life. Happiness is not found in anything external. It is a certain state of the soul when it is filled with the peace of God and lit up with the sunshine of heaven. It is a mockery to talk about cultivating happiness. I... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 5:19. QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT.—When there has been excess, and a good has come into disrepute, it is natural to seek to stifle down further manifestations of it. The energy of the Holy Spirit, like Pentecostal flame, is regarded as being capable of ext... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 5:23. SANCTIFY YOU WHOLLY.—“Rather—unto completeness. The apostle prays that they may be sanctified to the fullest extent” (_Ibid._). YOUR WHOLE SPIRIT … BE PRESERVED BLAMELESS.—R.V. “be preserved entire, without blame.” “From the degree of holiness... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— 1 Thessalonians 5:25_ Closing Words. I. AN IMPORTANT REQUEST.—“Brethren, pray for us” (1 Thessalonians 5:25). The most gifted saints have need of the prayers of God’s people. The great apostle, much as he prayed for himself, did not himself feel independent of th... [ Continue Reading ]