CHAPTER III. _St Paul informs them how, being hindered himself from visiting_ _them, he had sent Timothy to comfort them, of whom he gives a_ _high character_, 1, 2. _Shows that trials and difficulties are unavoidable in the present_ _state_, 3, 4. _Mentions the joy he had on hearing by Timoth... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Thessalonians 3:2. _TIMOTHEUS, OUR BROTHER_] It appears that Timothy was but a youth when converted to God; he had now however been some years in the work of God; Paul therefore calls him his _brother_, being one of the same Christian _family_, a _son of God_ by _adoption_: elsewhere he call... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Thessalonians 3:3. _THAT NO MAN SHOULD BE MOVED_] That is, caused to apostatize from Christianity. _WE ARE APPOINTED THEREUNTO._] εις τουτο κειμεθα. _We are_ _exposed to this, we lie open to such, they are unavoidable_ in the present state of things; as the Latins say, _sic est sors nostra_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Thessalonians 3:4. _THAT WE SHOULD SUFFER TRIBULATION_] I prepared you for it, because I knew that it was according to their nature for wicked men to persecute the followers of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Thessalonians 3:5. _FOR THIS CAUSE_] Knowing that you would be persecuted, and knowing that your apostasy was possible, _I sent to know your_ _faith_-whether you continued steadfast in the truth, lest you might have been tempted by Satan to consult your present ease, and abandon the Gospel,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 6. _WHEN TIMOTHEUS CAME_] We have already seen that he and Silas stayed behind at Thessalonica, when Paul was obliged to leave it; for the persecution seems to have been principally directed against him. When Paul came to Athens, he sent pressingly to him and Silas to come to him with all spee... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 7. _THEREFORE - WE WERE COMFORTED _] My afflictions and persecutions seemed trifles when I heard of your perseverance in the faith.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. _FOR NOW WE LIVE_] Your steadfastness in the faith gives me new life and comfort; I now feel that I live to some purpose, as my labour in the Lord is not in vain.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _WHAT THANKS CAN WE RENDER TO GOD_] The high satisfaction and uncommon joy which the apostle felt are strongly depicted in the language he uses. How near his heart did the success of his ministry lie! It was not enough for him that he preached so often, laboured so hard, suffered so much; w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 10. _NIGHT AND DAY PRAYING EXCEEDINGLY_] Supplicating God at _all times_; mingling this with all my prayers; υπερεκπερισσου δεομενοι, abounding and superabounding in my entreaties to God to permit me to revisit you. How strong was his affection for this Church! _MIGHT PERFECT THAT WHICH IS LA... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 11. _NOW GOD HIMSELF AND OUR FATHER_] That is: God who is our Father, who has _adopted_ us into the _heavenly family_, and called us his _sons_ and _daughters_. _DIRECT OUR WAY_] As he was employed in God's work he dared not consult his own inclinations, he looked for continual directions fro... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 12. _MAKE YOU TO INCREASE AND ABOUND IN LOVE_] They had already love to each other, so as to unite them in one Christian body; and he prays that they may have an _increase_ and an _abundance_ of it; that they might feel the same love to each other which he felt for them all.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Thessalonians 3:13. _TO THE END HE MAY ESTABLISH YOUR HEARTS_] Without _love_ to God and man, there can be no establishment in the religion of Christ. It is _love_ that produces both _solidity_ and _continuance_. And, as _love is the fulfilling of the law_, he who is filled with love is _unb... [ Continue Reading ]