P concerning us, what manner of entrance to you we had, and how ye turned from idols to God, to serve the living 10 and true God, And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he hath raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come. CHAP. II. 1. For yourselves, brethren, know our 2 entrance to you, that it was not in vain: But even after we had suffered before, and had been shamefully treated at Philippi, as ye know, we were bold through our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much contention. 3 For our exhortation is not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, 4 nor in guile. But as we have been approved of God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing 5 men, but God who trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of 6 covetousness: God is witness: Nor sought we glory of men, neither from you, nor from others, when we might 7 have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle in the midst of you, even as a nurse 8 cherisheth her own children. So, loving you tenderly, we were ready to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but our own souls also, because ye were dear to us. 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and toil: working V. 10. Whom he hath raised from the dead-In proof of his future coming to judgment, who delivereth us-He hath redeemed us once; he delivers us continually and will deliver all that believe from the wrath, the eternal vergeance, which will then come upon the ungodly. : CHAP. II. Ver. 1. What was proposed ch. i. 5, 6, is now more largely treated of: concerning Paul and his fellow-labourers, v. 1—12: concerning the Thessalonians, v. 13-16. V. 2. We had suffered-In several places; we were bold-Notwithstanding, with much contention-Notwithstanding both inward and outward conflicts of all kinds. V. 3. For our exhortation-That is, our preaching. A part is put for the whole. Is not at any time, of deceit-We preach not a lie, but the truth of God; nor of uncleanness-With any unholy or selfish view. This expression is not always appropriated to lust, although it is sometimes emphatically applied thereto; nor in guile-But with great plainness of speech. V. 5. Flattering words-This ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness-Of this God is witness. He calls men to witness an open fact: God, the secret intentions of the heart: in a point of a mixed nature, v. 10, he appeals both to God and man. V. 6. Nor from others-Who would have honoured us more, if we had been burdensome-That is, taken state upon ourselves. V. 7. But we were gentle-Mild, tender, in the midst of you-Like a hen surrounded with her young; even as a nurse cherisheth her own children-Theoffspring of her own womb. V. s. To impart our own souls-To lay down our lives for your sake. night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we 10 preached to you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God, how holily, and justly, and unblamably, we 11 behaved among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted every one of you, as a father his 12 own children, And charged you to walk worthy of God, 13 who hath called you to his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, even because when ye received the word of God which ye heard from us, ye received it, not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, who likewise effectually worketh 14 in you that believe. For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God in Christ Jesus, which are in Judea; for ye also suffered the same things from your 15 own countrymen, as they likewise from the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us: and they please not God, and are 16 contrary to all men; Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they may be saved, to fill up their sins always: but wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. 17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time, in presence, not in heart, laboured with great desire 18 the more abundantly to see your face. Wherefore we V. 10. Holily-In the things of God, justly-With regard to men, unblameable-In respect of ourselves, among you that believe-Who were the constant observers of our behaviour. V. 11. By exhorting, we are moved to do a thing willingly; by comforting, to do it joyfully; by charging, to do it carefully. V. 12. To his kingdom here, and glory hereafter. V. 14. Ye suffered the same things-The same fruit, the same afflictions, and the same experience, at all times, and in all places, are an excellent criterion of evangelical truth; as they from the Jews-Their countrymen. V. 15. Us-Apostles and preachers of the gospel: They please not GodNor are they even careful to please him, notwithstanding their fair professions; and are contrary to all men-Are common enemies of all mankind; not only by their continual seditions and insurrections, and by their utter contempt of all other nations; but in particular, by their endeavouring to hinder their hearing or receiving the gospel. V. 16. To fill up-The measure of, their sins always-As they have ever done; but-The vengeance of God, is come upon them-Hath overtaken them unawares, whilst they were seeking to destroy others, and will speedily complete their destruction. V. 17. In this verse we have a remarkable instance, not so much of the transient affections of holy grief, desire, or joy, as of that abiding tenderness, that loving temper, which is so apparent in all St. Paul's writings, towards those he styles his children in the faith. This is the more carefully to be observed, because the passions occasionally exercising themselves, and flowing like a torrent, in the apostle, are observable to every reader; whereas it requires a nicer attention to discern those calm, standing tempers, that fixed posture of his soul, from whence the others only flow out, and which more peculiarly distinguish his character. would have come to you (even I Paul) once and again, 19 but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not ye also before our Lord Jesus at his appearing? For ye are are our glory and joy. CHAP. III. 1. Therefore when we could bear no 2 longer, we thought good to be left at Athens alone, And sent Timotheus our brother and a minister of God, and our fellow-worker in the gospel of Christ, to establish 3 you and to comfort you concerning your faith, That no. one might be moved by these afflictions; for ye yourselves 4 know that we are appointed hereto. For when we were with you, we told you before, we should be afflicted as 5 it came to pass, and ye know. Therefore when 1 could bear no longer, I sent to know your faith, lest by any means the tempter should have tempted you, and our 6 labour be in vain. But now when Timotheus was come to us from you, and had brought us the good tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have a good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, as we also to see you: 7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you, in all 8 our affliction and distress by your faith. For now we live, 9 if ye stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy wherewith we rejoice 10 for your sake before our God? Night and day praying exceedingly, that we may see your face, and perfect that 11 which is wanting in your faith. Now our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you. 12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love V. 18. Satan-By those persecuting Jews, Acts xvii. 13. CHAP. III. Ver. 1. We-Paul and Silvanus, could bear no longer-Our desire and fear for you. V. 3. We are appointed hereto—Are, in every respect, laid in a fit posture for it, by the very design and contrivance of God himself: for the trial and increase of our faith and all other graces. He gives great riches to the world but stores up his treasure of wholesome afflictions for his children. V. 6. But now when Timotheus was come to us from you-Immediately after his return St. Paul wrote; while his joy was fresh, and his tenderness at the height. V. 8. Now we live-Indeed. We enjoy life; so great is our affection for you. V. 10. And perfect that which is wanting in your faith-So St. Paul did not know, That they who are once upon the rock, no longer need to be taught by man! V. 11. Direct our way-This prayer is addressed to Christ as well as to the Father. towards one another, and towards all men, as we also do 13 towards you, That he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness, (before our God and Father, at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,) with all his saints. CHAP. IV. 1. It remaineth, then, brethren, that we beseech and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, 2 that ye abound therein more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that 4 ye abstain from fornication; That every one of you know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in passionate desire, as the Gentiles who know not 6 God. That none circumvent or defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger of all these 7 things, as we have also told you before and testified. For God hath not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God; who hath also given you his Holy Spirit. 9 Touching brotherly love, we need not write to you : for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. V. 13. With all his-Christ's, saints-Both angels and men. CHAP. IV. Ver. 1. More and more-It is not enough to have faith, even so as to please God, unless we abound more and more therein. V. 3. Sanctification-Entire holiness of heart and life: particular branches of it are subjoined, that ye abstain from fornication-A beautiful transition from sanctification to a single branch of the contrary. And this shews that nothing is so seemingly distant, or below our thoughts, but we have need to guard against it. V. 4. That every one know-For this requires knowledge as well as chastity, to possess his vessel-His wife, in sanctification and honour-So as neither to dishonour God or himself, nor to obstruct, but further holiness: ́remembering marriage is not désigned to inflame, but to conquer natural desires. V. 5. Not in passionate desire-Which had no place in man when in a state of innocence. Who know not God-And so may naturally seek happiness in a creature. What seemingly accidental words slide in: and yet how fine and how vastly important! V. 6. In this matter-By violating his bed. The things forbidden here are three: fornication, (v. 3,) the passion of desire, or inordinate affection in the married state, (v. 5,) and the breach of the marriage contract. V. 8. He that despiseth-The commandments we gave, despiseth God-Himself, who hath also given you his Holy Spirit-To convince you of the truth, and enable you to be holy. What naked majesty of words! how oratorical, and yet with what great simplicity! a simplicity that does not impair, but improve the understanding to the utmost; that, like the rays of heat through a glass, collects all the powers of reason into one orderly point, from being scattered abroad in utter confusion. V. 9. We need not write-Largely; For ye are taught of God-By his Spirit. VOL. II. 10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren that are i all Macedonia; but we exhort you, brethren, that ye 11 increase more and more, And that ye study to be quiet and to do your own business, and to work with your 12 hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk decently toward them that are without, and may want nothing. 13 Now we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as 14 others who have no hope. For if we believe, that Jesus died and rose again, so will God bring with him those 15 also that sleep in Jesus. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the appearing of the Lord, shall not prevent them 16 that are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall 17 rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in clouds to meet the Lord 18 in the air; and so shall we be ever with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 2 ye CHAP. V. I. But of the times and seasons, brethren, have no need that I write to you. For ye yourselves V. 11. That ye study-Literally, that ye be ambitious: an ambition worthy Christian, to work with your hands-Not a needless caution: for temporal concerns are often a cross to them who are newly filled with the love of God. V. 12. Decently—That they may have no pretence to say, (but they will say it still,) "This religion makes men idle, and brings them to beggary," and may want nothing-Needful for life and godliness. What Christian desires more? V. 13. Now Herein the efficacy of Christianity greatly appears, that it neither takes away, nor embitters, but sweetly tempers that most refined of all affections, our desire of, or love to, the dead. V. 14. So As God raised him; with him-With their living Head. V. 15. By the word of the Lord-By a particular revelation, we who are left This intimates the fewness of those who will be then alive, compared to the multitude of the dead. Believers of all ages and nations, make up, as it were, one body : in consideration of which, the believers of that age, might put themselves in the place, and speak in the person, of them who were to five till the coming of the Lord. Not that St. Paul hereby asserted, (though some seemed to have imagined so,) that the day of the Lord was at hand. V. 16. With a shout-Properly, a proclamation made to a great multitude: above this is, The voice of an archangel: above both, The trumpet of God! The voice of God somewhat analogous to the sound of a trumpet. V. 17. Together-In the same moment, in the air-The wicked will remain beneath, while the righteous, being absolved, shall be assessors with their Lord in the judgment, with the Lord-In heaven. CHAP. V. Ver. 1. But of the precise times, when this shall be. 1.2. For this in general ye do know: and ye can and need know no more. |