CHAPTER III. _The apostle recommends himself and his brethren to the prayers_ _of the Church, that their preaching might be successful, and_ _that they might be delivered from wicked men_, 1, 2. _Expresses his confidence in God and them, and prays that they_ _may patiently wait for the coming o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Thessalonians 3:2. _UNREASONABLE AND WICKED MEN_] The word ατοπων, which we translate _unreasonable_, signifies rather _disorderly,_ _unmanageable_; persons _out of their place_-under no discipline, regardless of law and restraint, and ever acting agreeably to the disorderly and unreasonable... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Thessalonians 3:3. _FROM EVIL._] Απο του πονηρου may be translated, _from_ _the devil_ or _from the evil one_. They had disorderly men, wicked men, and the evil one or the devil, to contend with; God alone could support and give them the victory; he had _promised_ to do it, and he might ever... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 4. _AND WE HAVE CONFIDENCE_] We have no doubt of _God's_ kindness towards you; he loves you, and will support you: and we can confide in _you_, that ye are now acting as we have desired you, and will continue so to do.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 5. _THE LORD DIRECT YOUR HEARTS INTO THE LOVE OF GOD_] The love of God is the grand motive and principle of obedience; this must occupy your hearts: the heart is irregular in all its workings; God alone, by his Spirit, can _direct_ it into his love, and _keep it right_; κατευθυναι, give a _pro... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 6. _THAT YE WITHDRAW YOURSELVES_] Have no fellowship with those who will not submit to proper discipline; who do not keep their place; ατακτως, such as are out of their _rank_, and act according to their own wills and caprices; and particularly such as are _idle_ and _busybodies_. These he had... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 7. _WE BEHAVED NOT OURSELVES DISORDERLY_] ουκ ητακτησαμεν. _We did not go out of our rank_-we kept our place, and discharged all its duties.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. _NEITHER DID WE EAT ANY MAN'S BREAD FOR NAUGHT_] We paid for what we bought, and worked with our hands that we might have money to buy what was necessary. _LABOUR AND TRAVAIL NIGHT AND DAY_] We were incessantly employed, either in preaching the Gospel, visiting from house to house, or wor... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _NOT BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT POWER_] We have the power, εξουσιαν, the _right_, to be maintained by those in whose behalf we labour. _The labourer is worthy of his hire_, is a maxim universally acknowledged and respected; and _they who preach the_ _Gospel should live by the Gospel_: the apostle... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 10. _IF ANY WOULD NOT WORK, NEITHER SHOULD HE EAT._] This is a just maxim, and universal nature inculcates it to man. If man _will work_, he _may eat_; if he do _not work_, he _neither can_ _eat_, nor _should he eat_. The maxim is founded on these words of the Lord: _In the sweat of thy brow t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 11. _FOR WE HEAR THAT THERE ARE SOME_] It is very likely that St. Paul kept up some sort of correspondence with the Thessalonian Church; for he had _heard_ every thing that concerned their state, and it was from this information that he wrote his second epistle. _DISORDERLY_] ατακτως. _Out of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 12. _WITH QUIETNESS THEY WORK_] μετα ησυχιας. _With_ _silence_; leaving their tale-bearing and officious intermeddling. _Less noise and more work_! _THAT - THEY WORK, AND EAT THEIR OWN BREAD._] Their _own_ bread, because earned by their own honest _industry_. What a degrading thing to live o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 13. _BE NOT WEARY IN WELL-DOING._] While ye stretch out no hand of relief to the _indolent_ and _lazy_, do not forget the _real_ _poor_-the genuine representatives of an impoverished Christ; and rather relieve a hundred undeserving objects, than pass by one who is a real object of charity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _IF ANY MAN OBEY NOT_] They had disobeyed his word in the _first epistle_, and the Church still continued to bear with them; now he tells the Church, if they still continue to disregard what is said to them, and particularly his word by this _second_ _epistle_, they are to _mark them_ as b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _COUNT_ HIM _NOT AS AN ENEMY_] Consider him still more an enemy to himself than to you; and _admonish him as a brother_, though you have ceased to hold religious communion with him. His soul is still of infinite value; labour to get it saved.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 16. _THE LORD OF PEACE_] Jesus Christ, who is called _our_ _peace_, Ephesians 2:14; and _The Prince of peace_, Isaiah 9:6. May he _give you peace_, for he is the _Fountain_ and _Dispenser_ of it. _ALWAYS_] Both in your own consciences, and among yourselves. _BY ALL MEANS._] παντι τροπω. By a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _THE SALUTATION OF PAUL WITH MINE OWN HAND_] It is very likely that Paul employed an _amanuensis_ generally, either to _write_ what he _dictated_, or to make a _fair copy_ of what he wrote. In either case the apostle always subscribed it, and wrote the salutation and benediction with his o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Thessalonians 3:18. _THE GRACE_] The favour, blessing, and influence of our Lord Jesus Christ, _be with you all_ - be your constant companion. May you ever feel his presence, and enjoy his benediction! _AMEN._] So let be! God grant it! This word in this place, has more evidence in favour of... [ Continue Reading ]