In these words, we have. general exhortation given to the Thessalonians, that, according to the doctrine and injunctions formerly given them for. holy conversation suitable to the gospel, they would make it their care and endeavour to abound more and more in the exercise of piety, and outstrip thems... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our apostle subjoins. reason, to enforce his foregoing exhortation; what he now required of them, was nothing but what at their first conversion to Christianity he had commanded them, and that in the name, and by the authority of Jesus Christ, to be performed by them; so that they were not his... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD, EVEN YOUR SANCTIFICATION: that is, this is the will of God, eminently and emphatically revealed in his word, that Christians should be holy and pure, chaste and clean: not indulging themselves in those impure and filthy lusts of the flesh, fornication, and all manner of uncl... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we have another positive duty pressed upon the Thessalonians, in which. great part of their sanctification or holiness would discover itself, namely, justice and equity in all their dealings, man with man. Thessalonica was. city of great trade and merchandise; therefore, the apostle directs the... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle proceeds from an exhortation to chastity and justice, to press that of love, called here BROTHERLY LOVE, because it has all Christians, all our fellow-members in Christ for its object; and he persuades to the practice of it by. winning insinuation that he need not say much upon this argu... [ Continue Reading ]
It is supposed by some, that the charity and bounty of these Thessalonians, mentioned in the foregoing verses, occasioned some persons to be idle and carry tales from house to house, seeking by such flatteries and insinuations to maintain themselves without working; the apostle therefore commands ev... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle having exhorted the Thessalonians to industry and diligence in the foregoing verse, he presses it with. double argument in this verse. 1. Hereby they should walk honestly towards them that are without, that is, in. decent and seemly manner in the eyes of unconverted Pagans, who are said... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle, from this verse to the end of the chapter, exhorts the Thessalonians to moderate their grief and sorrow for their friends who died in Christ, many of which, no doubt, were martyrs for the truth in those days of persecution: he lays down many consolatory arguments, as so many sovereign a... [ Continue Reading ]
St. Paul having, in the foregoing verse, dissuaded from immoderate grief and sorrow for the death of relations, comes now to lay down several considerations or consolatory arguments in order to it. The first word of comfort is this, that our relations over whom we mourn, are but fallen asleep; the... [ Continue Reading ]
In this verse St. Paul obviates an objection: Some might say, that the saints found alive at the last day might be sooner happy than the dead saints; no, says the apostle, they that are alive, shall not prevent them that sleep, they shall not prevent their rising, nor shall they get the start of the... [ Continue Reading ]
These words give us the assurance of the certaninty of Christ's second coming, and of the solemn manner of it, and of the consequence of it. Observe, 1. The certainty of our Lord's coming; THE LORD HIMSELF SHALL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN; that is, the Lord Jesus, the Mediator; he will not depute an angel... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The triumphant ascension both of the living and sleeping saints, together into the clouds; WE WHICH ARE ALIVE SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS. This ascension shall be effected by the power of Christ, by the ministry of angels, and by the spirituality of the saint... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, draw matter of consolation to yourselves from the foregoing considerations, against the loss of your deceased friends; intimating, that the best and choicest of comforts, for supporting the spirits of men under afflictions in general, and the loss of dear relations in particular, are drawn... [ Continue Reading ]