THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. _Chronological Notes relative to this Epistle_. -Year of the Constantinopolitan era of the world, or that used by the Byzantine historians, 5560. -Year of the Alexandrian era of the world, 5554. -Year of the Antiochian era of the world... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Thessalonians 1:3. _YOUR FAITH GROWETH EXCEEDINGLY_] The word υπεραυξανει signifies _to grow luxuriantly_, as a good and healthy tree planted in a good soil; and if a _fruit tree_, bearing an abundance of fruit to compensate the labour of the husbandman. Faith is one of the _seeds_ of the ki... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 4. _WE OURSELVES GLORY IN YOU IN THE CHURCHES OF GOD_] We hold you up as an example of what the grace of God, can produce when communicated to honest and faithful hearts. _FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND FAITH_] From Acts 17:5; Acts 17:13, and from 1 Thessalonians 2:14, we learn, that the people of Th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 5. _A MANIFEST TOKEN OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS JUDGEMENT OF_ _GOD_] The persecutions and tribulations which you endure, are a manifest proof that God has judged righteously in calling you Gentiles into his Church; and these sufferings are also a proof that ye are _called in_; for they who enter int... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 6. _SEEING_ IT IS _A RIGHTEOUS THING_] Though God neither rewards nor punishes in this life in a general way, yet he often gives proofs of his displeasure, especially against those who persecute his followers. They, therefore, who have given you tribulation, shall have tribulation in recompens... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 7. _AND TO YOU WHO ARE TROUBLED, REST WITH US_] And while they have _tribulation_, you shall have that eternal _rest_ which remains for the people of God. _WHEN THE LORD JESUS SHALL BE REVEALED_] But this fulness of _tribulation_ to them, and _rest_ to you, shall not take place till the Lord... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. _IN FLAMING FIRE_] εν φλογι πυρος. In _thunder and_ _lightning, taking vengeance_-inflicting just punishment _on them_ _that know not God_-the heathen who do not worship the true God, and will not _acknowledge_ him, but worship idols; and on them _that obey_ _not the Gospel_-the _Jews_, par... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _WHO SHALL BE PUNISHED_] What this _everlasting_ _destruction_ consists in we cannot tell. It is not _annihilation_, for their _being_ continues; and as the destruction is _everlasting_, it is an eternal _continuance_ and _presence_ of _substantial evil_, and _absence of all good_; for a pa... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 10. _WHEN HE SHALL COME TO BE GLORIFIED IN HIS SAINTS_] As the grace of God is peculiarly glorified in saving sinners and making them into _saints_, this gracious _power_ will be particularly manifested in the great day, when countless millions will appear before that throne who have come out... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 11. _WE PRAY - THAT OUR GOD WOULD COUNT YOU WORTHY_] It is our earnest prayer that God would _make you worthy_, αξιωση, afford those continual supplies of grace by his Holy Spirit, without which you cannot adorn your holy vocation; you are called into the Christian Church, and, to be proper me... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Thessalonians 1:12. _THAT THE NAME OF OUR LORD_] This is the great _end_ of your Christian calling, that Jesus who hath died for you may have his _passion_ and _death_ magnified in your _life_ and _happiness_; that ye may show forth the virtues of him who called you from darkness into his ma... [ Continue Reading ]