1_Furthermore_. This chapter contains various injunctions, by which he trains up the Thessalonians to a holy life, or confirms them in the exercise of it. They had previously learned what was the rule and method of a pious life: he calls this to their remembrance. _As_, says he, _ye have been taught... [ Continue Reading ]
3_For this is the will of God_. This is doctrine of a general nature, from which, as from a fountain, he immediately deduces special admonitions. When he says that _this is the will of God_, he means that we have been called by God with this design. “For this end ye are Christians — this the gospel... [ Continue Reading ]
6_Let no man oppress. _Here we have another exhortation, which flows, like a stream, from the doctrine of sanctification. “God,” says he, “has it in view to sanctify us, _that no man may do injury to his brother_. ” For as to Chrysostom’s connecting this statement with the preceding one, and explain... [ Continue Reading ]
7_For God hath not called us_. This appears to be the same sentiment with the preceding one — that _the will of God is our sanctification_. There is, however, a little difference between them. For after having discoursed as to the correcting of the vices of the flesh, he proves, from the end of our... [ Continue Reading ]
8_Who hath also given_. That he may the more effectually turn away the Thessalonians from such contempt and obstinacy, he reminds them that they had been endowed with the Spirit of God, _first_, in order that they may distinguish what proceeds from God; _secondly_, that they make such a difference a... [ Continue Reading ]
9_As to brotherly love_. Having previously, in lofty terms, commended their love, he now speaks by way of _anticipation_, saying, _ye need not that I write to you_. He assigns a reason — _because they had been divinely taught _— by which he means that love was engraven upon their hearts, so that the... [ Continue Reading ]
10_And we exhort you_. Though he declares that they were sufficiently prepared of themselves for all offices of love, he nevertheless does not cease to exhort them to make progress, there being no perfection in men. And, unquestionably, whatever appears in us in a high state of excellence, we must s... [ Continue Reading ]
11_Maintain Peace. _I have already stated that this clause must be separated from what goes before, for this is a new sentence. Now, to _be at peace_, means in this passage — to act peacefully and without disturbance, as we also say in French — _sans bruit _, (_without noise_.) In short, he exhorts... [ Continue Reading ]
13_But I would not have you ignorant_. It is not likely that the hope of a resurrection had been torn up among the Thessalonians by profane men, as had taken place at Corinth. For we see how he chastises the Corinthians with severity, but here he speaks of it as a thing that was not doubtful. It is... [ Continue Reading ]
14_For if we believe_. He assumes this axiom of our faith, that Christ was raised up from the dead, that we might be partakers of the same resurrection: from this he infers, that we shall live with him eternally. This doctrine, however, as has been stated in 1 Corinthians 15:13, depends on another p... [ Continue Reading ]
15_For this we say unto you_. He now briefly explains the manner in which believers will be raised up from death. Now, as he speaks of a thing that is very great, and is incredible to the human mind, and also promises what is above the power and choice of men, he premises that he does not bring forw... [ Continue Reading ]
16_For the Lord himself_. He employs the term κελεύσματος, (_shout_,) and afterwards adds, _the voice of the archangel_, by way of exposition, intimating what is to be the nature of that arousing shout — that the archangel will discharge the office of a herald to summon the living and the dead to th... [ Continue Reading ]
17_And so we shall be ever_. To those who have been once gathered to Christ he promises eternal life with him, by which statements the reveries of Origen and of the Chiliasts (588) are abundantly refuted. For the life of believers, when they have once been gathered into one kingdom, will have no end... [ Continue Reading ]
18_Comfort_. He now shews more openly what I have previously stated — that in the faith of the resurrection we have good ground of consolation, provided we are members of Christ, and are truly united to him as our Head. At the same time, the Apostle would not have each one to seek for himself assuag... [ Continue Reading ]