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Wesley's Explanatory Notes

1 Thessalonians 5

1 Thessalonians 5:12

Know them that, Labour among you: Are over you in the Lord: Admonish you. Know — See, mark, take knowledge of them and their work. Sometimes the same person may both labour, that is, preach; be over, or govern; and admonish the flock by particular application to each: sometimes two or more different... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Thessalonians 5:13

Esteem them very highly — Literally, more than abundantly, in love — The inexpressible sympathy that is between true pastors and their flock is intimated, not only here, but also in divers other places of this epistle. See 1 Thessalonians 2:7. For their work's sake — The principal ground of their va... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Thessalonians 5:14

Warn the disorderly — Them that stand, as it were, out of their rank in the spiritual warfare. Some such were even in that church. The feeble — minded — Literally, them of little soul; such as have no spiritual courage.... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Rejoice evermore — In uninterrupted happiness in God. Pray without ceasing — Which is the fruit of always rejoicing in the Lord. In everything give thanks — Which is the fruit of both the former. This is Christian perfection. Farther than this we cannot go; and we need not stop short of it. Our Lord... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Thessalonians 5:19

Quench not the Spirit — Wherever it is, it burns; it flames in holy love, in joy, prayer, thanksgiving. O quench it not, damp it not in yourself or others, either by neglecting to do good, or by doing evil!... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Thessalonians 5:20

Despise not prophesyings — That is, preaching; for the apostle is not here speaking of extraordinary gifts. It seems, one means of grace is put for all; and whoever despises any of these, under whatever pretence, will surely (though perhaps gradually and almost insensibly) quench the Spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Thessalonians 5:21

Meantime, prove all things — Which any preacher recommends. (He speaks of practice, not of doctrines.) Try every advice by the touchstone of scripture, and hold fast that which is good — Zealously, resolutely, diligently practise it, in spite of all opposition.... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Thessalonians 5:22

And be equally zealous and careful to abstain from all appearance of evil — Observe, those who "heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears," under pretence of proving all things, have no countenance or excuse from this scripture.... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Thessalonians 5:23

And may the God of peace sanctify you — By the peace he works in you, which is a great means of sanctification. Wholly — The word signifies wholly and perfectly; every part and all that concerns you; all that is of or about you. And may the whole of you, the spirit and the soul and the body — Just b... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Thessalonians 5:27

I charge you by the Lord — Christ, to whom proper divine worship is here paid. That this epistle — The first he wrote. Be read to all the brethren — That is, in all the churches. They might have concealed it out of modesty, had not this been so solemnly enjoined: but what Paul commands under so stro... [ Continue Reading ]

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