But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. Ver. 1. _But of the times and the seasons_] When Christ shall come to judgment, this is to be reckoned _inter arcana imperii._ _See Trapp on "_ Mat 24:36 _"_ The times and the seasons God hath put in his own power, A... [ Continue Reading ]
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. Ver. 2. _The day of the Lord_] That day, by a specialty, Luke 21:34, that great day, Revelation 6:17, that day of the declaration of God's just judgment, Romans 2:5; Romans 2:16, that day of Christ, 2 Thessalo... [ 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. Ver. 3. _For when they shall say_] Security is the certain usher of destruction, as in Benhadad's army, and Pompey's before the Pharsalian field. Some... [ Continue Reading ]
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ver. 4. _Should overtake you as a thief_] Though it come upon you as a thief in a time uncertain. Free you are from the destruction of that day, though not altogether free from the distraction of it, till somewhat... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Ver. 5. _We are not of the night, &c._] Alexander willed that the Grecians and barbarians should no longer be distinguished by their garments, but by their manners (Qu. Curtius); so should the c... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore let us not sleep, as _do_ others; but let us watch and be sober. Ver. 6. _As do others_] What wonder that the Grecians live loosely? saith Chrysostom; but that Christians do so, this is worse, yea, intolerable. _ But let us watch and be sober_] We must not be like Agrippa's dormouse that... [ Continue Reading ]
For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. Ver. 7. _Are drunk in the night_] But now, alas, drunkenness is become a noonday devil. Once Peter's argument (saith Mr Harris) was more than probable, "These men are not drunk, for it is but the third hour o... [ 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. Ver. 8. _Be sober_] Drunkenness misbeseemeth any man, but especially a saint; for it robs him of himself, and lays a beast in his room. _ Putting on the breastplate of... [ Continue Reading ]
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Ver. 9. _God hath not appointed us_] As he hath all drunken beasts,1 Corinthians 4:10. Yet, all those dry drunkards, Isaiah 28:1, that will not awake (though never so much warned) out of the snare of the devil... [ Continue Reading ]
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Ver. 10. _Whether we wake or sleep_] That is, live or die, our souls cannot miscarry; because God will have out the full price of his Son's death. See Romans 14:8. _See Trapp on "_ Rom 14:8 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. Ver. 11. _Comfort yourselves together_] This he subjoins as a singular help to the practice of the former points of duty. Social charity whets on to love and good works, as iron whets iron, as one billet kindleth anot... [ Continue Reading ]
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; Ver. 12. _And we beseech you, brethren_] Do not so exhort and edify one another as to think that now the public ministry is no further useful or needful. Let your pastors have all due... [ Continue Reading ]
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. _And_ be at peace among yourselves. Ver. 13. _Very highly_] Gr. υπερ εκ περισσου, more than exceeding. _a_ Turks and Papists shall else condemn us, who honour every hedge priest of theirs, and have them in singular esteem, above their me... [ Continue Reading ]
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all _men_. Ver. 14. _Warn them that are unruly_] Cry _Cave miser, _ Beware the wretch, stop them in their cursed career, tell them that hell gapes for them, and is but a little befo... [ 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_. Ver. 15. _See that none render_] Nothing is so natural to us; and Aristotle commends revenge as a piece of manhood, when indeed it is doghood rather. Excellently Lactantiu... [ Continue Reading ]
Rejoice evermore. Ver. 16. _Rejoice evermore_] A duty much pressed in both Testaments, but little practised by many of God's whinnels, who are ever puling and putting finger in the eye, through one discontent or another. The wicked may not rejoice, Hosea 9:1; the saints must,Psalms 32:11; Psalms 33... [ Continue Reading ]
Pray without ceasing. Ver. 17. _Pray without ceasing_] While prayer standeth still, the trade of godliness stands still. All good comes into the soul by this door, all true treasure by this merchant's ship. Paul beginneth, continueth, and concludeth his Epistles with prayer, Nehemiah sends up ejacu... [ Continue Reading ]
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Ver. 18. _In everything give thanks_] If God give prosperity, praise him, and it shall be increased, saith Augustine. If adversity, praise him, and it shall be removed, or at least sanctified. Job blessed God as... [ Continue Reading ]
Quench not the Spirit. Ver. 19. _Quench not the Spirit_] In his motions or graces. See the canon for the fire on the altar, and observe it, Leviticus 6:12,13. Confess here as Hezekiah did, 2 Chronicles 29:6,7. And take the apostle's counsel, 2 Timothy 1:6. Stir up this fire on the hearth of our hea... [ Continue Reading ]
Despise not prophesyings. Ver. 20. _Despise not_] _i.e._ Highly honour, and preciously esteem, as an honorary given by Christ to his Church at his wonderful ascension, Psalms 51:17; Ephesians 4:8; Ephesians 4:11 . _ Prophesying_] That is, preaching, 1 Corinthians 14:3, so called because they took... [ Continue Reading ]
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Ver. 21. _Prove all things_] Take nothing that you hear upon trust (Νηφε και μεμνησο απιστειν, Epicharm.), but bring all to the test, Isaiah 8:20. To the law, _i.e._ the Old Testament, and to the testimony, _i.e._ the New, which is by St John often ca... [ Continue Reading ]
Abstain from all appearance of evil. Ver. 22. _Abstain from all, &c._] Whatsoever is heterodox, unsound, and unsavoury, shun it, as you would do a serpent in your way or poison in your meats. Theodosius tare the Arian's arguments presented to him in writing, because he found them repugnant to the S... [ 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. Ver. 23. _That your whole spirit, soul, body_] The temple consisted of three parts, so doth man; the body is as the outer court, the s... [ Continue Reading ]
Faithful _is_ he that calleth you, who also will do _it_. Ver. 24. _Faithfid is he, &c._] Prayer must be founded upon the faithfulness of God in fulfilling his promises. Hereby faith will be strengthened, and affection excited. Prayer is a putting the promises in suit.... [ Continue Reading ]
Brethren, pray for us. Ver. 25. _Brethren, pray for us_] The best may need the prayers of the meanest. God will have us beholden herein one to another, 1 Corinthians 12:21,22. How earnest is that great apostle in begging prayers,Romans 15:30. Pray for me, I say, pray for me, I say (quoth father Lat... [ Continue Reading ]
Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. Ver. 26. _With an holy kiss_] Our very civilities should savour of sanctity, and our common conversation relish of religion,Zechariah 14:20,21 .... [ Continue Reading ]
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. Ver. 27. _That this epistle be read_] It is a matter of greatest necessity and importance that the Holy Scriptures be daily and duly read by all. A sad complaint it is, which Reverend Moulin makes of his countrymen the F... [ Continue Reading ]
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ _be_ with you. Amen. The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.>> Ver. 28. _Amen_] Amen Isaiah 1:1,31. Assenting; 2. Assevering; 3. Assuring.... [ Continue Reading ]