Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians _which is_ in God the Father and _in_ the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace _be_ unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ver. 1. _Paul and Sylvanus_] Otherwise called Silas, Acts 15:40, as Jehoshuah the high... [ Continue Reading ]
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Ver. 2. _We give thanks to God_] Thus he beginneth most of his Epistles with thanksgiving; this being held to be the first that ever he wrote to any of the Churches, the beginning of his strength, as Reuben (Jacob's fir... [ Continue Reading ]
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Ver. 3. _Remembering without ceasing_] A good memory is required to assiduity in prayer. All the faculties are exercised, and the whole man hard wro... [ Continue Reading ]
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. Ver. 4. _Knowing, brethren beloved of God_] Knowing it by the judgment of charity, not of infallibility. He that believeth hath the witness in himself, 1 John 5:10. But the white stone, the new name, and the hidden man of the heart are not certainly... [ Continue Reading ]
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. Ver. 5. _For our gospel came not_] Hence he collects their election, according to Acts 13:48. The ministry sent to a place i... [ Continue Reading ]
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: Ver. 6. _Followers of us and of the Lord_] The apostles walked in Christ,Colossians 2:6; as Christ, 1 John 2:6; their lives were a commentary upon his life, 1 Peter 2:9 . _ Rece... [ Continue Reading ]
So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. Ver. 7. _So that ye were ensamples_] Gr. τυποι, types, moulds, patterns of piety, to those that were in Christ long before them. A brave commendation, and not every man's happiness. Affliction to some is like a growing ague, or... [ Continue Reading ]
For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. Ver. 8. _For from you sounded out_] _A vobis diffamatus est sermo._ Remigius, commenting upon this place, telleth... [ Continue Reading ]
For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; Ver. 9. _What manner of entering in, &c._] The pastor hath his part and share in the people's commendation. If they grow famous, he cannot lie obscured.... [ Continue Reading ]
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, _even_ Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. Ver. 10. _And to wait for his Son_] This is pinned as a badge to the sleeve of every true believer, that he looketh and longeth for Christ's coming to judgment. The old charac... [ Continue Reading ]