_Paul and Silvanus and Timotheus (see _1 Thessalonians 1:1_)--The company which despatched the First Epistle had not yet broken up._ This proves that the Second Epistle was written before the end of the second missionary journey, for after that time we do not read of Silvanus being in the company o... [ Continue Reading ]
_So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith _ THE APOSTOLIC COMMENDATION I. The manner. 1. The person commending--“We ourselves.” In 1 Thessalonians 1:8 he speaks of their faith as praised by others: here he justifies common fame by His own testimony. (1... [ Continue Reading ]
_Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God _ PERSECUTIONS A DEMONSTRATION OF THE JUDGMENT I. State the point. 1. It concerns us to be fully persuaded of the truth of a future judgment for two reasons. (1) It establishes our comfort, for then our wrongs shall be righted (Philippi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed _ THE TWO TROUBLES AND THE TROUBLERS I. The term applied to our Lord’s coming “revealed.” To reveal is to uncover what is hidd... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the Lord Jesus Christ shall be revealed from heaven--This passage both consolatory and doctrinal--consolation designed for a persecuted Church--instruction for the world._ Our subject: the general judgment. We will regard I. Its certainty. May be argued from moral government. 1. Indicated b... [ Continue Reading ]
_In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and obey not the gospel _ CHRIST’S COMING I. The terrible manner of Christ’s coming. “In flaming fire,” which serves-- 1. To set forth the majesty of the Judge (Acts 7:20; Deuteronomy 5:22; Psalms 50:3). 2. As the instrument of punishme... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord._ THE PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED I. Generally. We have here-- 1. The estate “destruction” (1 Thessalonians 5:3; Matthew 7:13; Romans 9:22; Philippians 3:19), meaning thereby not an abolition of their being but of thei... [ Continue Reading ]
_When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and admired in all them that believe _ CHRIST GLORIFIED IN GLORIFIED MEN There be the two halves--the aspect of that day to those to whom it is the revelation of a stranger, and the aspect of that day to those to whom it is the glorifying of Him w... [ Continue Reading ]
_That our God would count you worthy of this calling _ SALVATION THE RESULT OF THE PLEASURE OF GOD’S GOODNESS AND HIS POWER I. It flows from the pleasure of God’s goodness. In the whole course of our salvation this is to be observed: 1. The coming of Christ (Luke 2:14). 2. The covenant of grace... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore also we pray always for you _ THE GOOD PLEASURE OF GOODNESS At the point where the intercession rises out of the text we see St. Paul’s manner of giving a devotional turn to every subject. He had been contemplating the glorification of God in the punishment of the wicked and the salvat... [ Continue Reading ]
_That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you _ CHRIST GLORIFIED IN HIS SERVANTS I. When the work of faith is fulfilled with power, Christ is glorified in His servants. 1. Christ is glorified. (1) Passively in all His creatures, as His glorious excellencies are visibly represen... [ Continue Reading ]