mh_parser/vol_split/53 - 2Thessalonians/Chapter 1.xml

<div2 id="iiTh.ii" n="ii" next="iiTh.iii" prev="iiTh.i" progress="66.99%" title="Chapter I">
<h2 id="iiTh.ii-p0.1">S E C O N D<br/>
 T H E S S A L O N I A N S.</h2>
<h3 id="iiTh.ii-p0.3">CHAP. I.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiTh.ii-p1">After the introduction (<scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.1-2Thess.1.2" parsed="|2Thess|1|1|1|2" passage="2Th 1:1,2">ver. 1, 2</scripRef>) the apostle begins this epistle
with an account of his high esteem for these Thessalonians,
<scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.3-2Thess.1.4" parsed="|2Thess|1|3|1|4" passage="2Th 1:3,4">ver. 3, 4</scripRef>. He then
comforts them under their afflictions and persecutions (<scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.5-2Thess.1.10" parsed="|2Thess|1|5|1|10" passage="2Th 1:5-10">ver. 5-10</scripRef>) and tells them what his
prayers were to God for them, <scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.11-2Thess.1.12" parsed="|2Thess|1|11|1|12" passage="2Th 1:11,12">ver.
11, 12</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiTh.ii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1" parsed="|2Thess|1|0|0|0" passage="2Th 1" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiTh.ii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.1-2Thess.1.4" parsed="|2Thess|1|1|1|4" passage="2Th 1:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Thess.1.1-2Thess.1.4">
<h4 id="iiTh.ii-p1.7">Introduction. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiTh.ii-p1.8">a.
d.</span> 52.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiTh.ii-p2">1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the
church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ:   2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ.   3 We are bound to thank God always
for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth
exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each
other aboundeth;   4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the
churches of God for your patience and faith in all your
persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p3">Here we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p4">I. The introduction (<scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.1-2Thess.1.2" parsed="|2Thess|1|1|1|2" passage="2Th 1:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1, 2</scripRef>), in the same words as in the
former epistle, from which we may observe that as this apostle did
not count it grievous to him to write the same things (<scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.3.1" parsed="|Phil|3|1|0|0" passage="Php 3:1">Phil. iii. 1</scripRef>) in his epistles that he
had delivered in preaching, so he willingly wrote the same things
to one church that he did to another. The occurrence of the same
words in this epistle as in the former shows us that ministers
ought not so much to regard the variety of expression and elegance
of style as the truth and usefulness of the doctrines they preach.
And great care should be taken lest, from an affectation of novelty
in method and phrases, we advance new notions or doctrines,
contrary to the principles of natural or revealed religion, upon
which this church of the Thessalonians was built, as all true
churches are; namely, <i>in God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p5">II. The apostle's expression of the high
esteem he had for them. He not only had a great affection for them
(as he had expressed in his former epistle, and now again in his
pious wish of grace and peace for them), but he also expresses his
great esteem for them, concerning which observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p6">1. How his esteem of them is expressed.
(1.) He glorified God on their behalf: <i>We are bound to thank God
always for you, brethren, as it is meet,</i> <scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.3" parsed="|2Thess|1|3|0|0" passage="2Th 1:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. He chose rather to speak of what
was praiseworthy in them in a way of thanksgiving to God than by
commendation of them; and, as what he mentions was matter of his
rejoicing, he accounted it matter of thanksgiving, and it was meet
or fit it should be so, for we are bound, and it is our duty, to be
thankful to God for all the good that is found in us or others: and
it not only is an act of kindness to our fellow-christians, but our
duty, to thank God on their behalf. (2.) He also <i>glories in them
before the churches of God,</i> <scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.4" parsed="|2Thess|1|4|0|0" passage="2Th 1:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. The apostle never flattered his
friends, but he took pleasure in commending them, and speaking well
of them, to the glory of God and for the excitement and
encouragement of others. Paul did not glory in his own gifts, nor
in his labour among them, but he gloried in the grace of God which
was bestowed upon them, and so his glorying was good, because all
the commendation he gave to them, and the pleasure he took himself,
centered in the praise and glory of God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p7">2. For what he esteemed them and thanked
God; namely, the increase of their faith, and love, and patience.
In his former epistle (<scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.1.3" parsed="|1Thess|1|3|0|0" passage="1Th 1:3"><i>ch.</i> i.
3</scripRef>) he gave thanks for their faith, love, and patience;
here he gives thanks for the increase of all those graces, that
they were not only true Christians, but growing Christians. Note,
Where there is the truth of grace there will be increase of it.
<i>The path of the just is as the shining light, which shines more
and more unto the perfect day.</i> And where there is the increase
of grace God must have all the glory of it. We are as much indebted
to him for the improvement of grace, and the progress of that good
work, as we are for the first work of grace and the very beginning
of it. We may be tempted to think that though when we were bad we
could not make ourselves good, yet when we are good we can easily
make ourselves better; but we have as much dependence on the grace
of God for increasing the grace we have as for planting grace when
we had it not. The matter of the apostle's thanksgiving and
glorying on behalf of the Thessalonians was, (1.) That their faith
grew exceedingly, <scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.3" parsed="|2Thess|1|3|0|0" passage="2Th 1:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>. They were more confirmed in the truth of
gospel-revelations, confided in gospel-promises, and had lively
expectations of another world. The growth of their faith appeared
by the works of faith; and, where faith grows, all other graces
grow proportionably. (2.) Their charity abounded (<scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.3" parsed="|2Thess|1|3|0|0" passage="2Th 1:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), their love to God and
man. Note, Where faith grows love will abound, for faith works by
love; and not only the charity of some few of them, but of every
one to each other, did abound. There were no such divisions among
them as in some other churches. (3.) Their patience as well as
faith increased in all their persecutions and tribulations. And
patience has then its perfect work when it extends itself to all
trials. There were many persecutions which the Thessalonians
endured for the sake of righteousness, as well as other troubles
which they met with in this calamitous life; yet they endured all
these, by faith <i>seeing him that is invisible,</i> and looking to
the <i>recompence of reward;</i> and endured them with patience,
not with an insensibility under them, but with patience arising
from Christian principles, which kept them quiet and submissive,
and afforded them inward strength and support.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiTh.ii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.5-2Thess.1.10" parsed="|2Thess|1|5|1|10" passage="2Th 1:5-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Thess.1.5-2Thess.1.10">
<h4 id="iiTh.ii-p7.5">Prospect of Persecuted
Saints. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiTh.ii-p7.6">a.
d.</span> 52.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiTh.ii-p8">5 <i>Which is</i> a manifest token of the
righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the
kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:   6 Seeing <i>it
is</i> a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them
that trouble you;   7 And to you who are troubled rest with
us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his
mighty angels,   8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them
that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ:   9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction
from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
  10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to
be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among
you was believed) in that day.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p9">Having mentioned their persecutions and
tribulations, which they endured principally for the cause of
Christ, the apostle proceeds to offer several things for their
comfort under them; as,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p10">I. He tells them of the present happiness
and advantage of their sufferings, <scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.5" parsed="|2Thess|1|5|0|0" passage="2Th 1:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. Their faith being thus tried, and
patience exercised, they were improved by their sufferings,
insomuch that they were <i>counted worthy of the kingdom of
God.</i> Their sufferings were a manifest token of this, that they
were worthy or meet to be accounted Christians indeed, seeing they
could suffer for Christianity. And the truth is, Religion, if it is
worth any thing, is worth every thing; and those either have no
religion at all, or none that is worth having, or know not how to
value it, that cannot find in their hearts to suffer for it.
Besides, from their patient suffering, it appeared that, according
to the righteous judgment of God, they should be counted worthy of
the heavenly glory: not by worthiness of condignity, but of
congruity only; not that they could merit heaven, but they were
made meet for heaven. We cannot by all our sufferings, any more
than by our services, merit heaven as a debt; but by our patience
under our sufferings we are qualified for the joy that is promised
to patient sufferers in the cause of God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p11">II. He tells them next of the future
recompence that shall be given to persecutor and persecuted.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p12">1. In this future recompence there will be,
(1.) A punishment inflicted on persecutors: God will <i>recompense
tribulation to those that trouble you,</i> <scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.6" parsed="|2Thess|1|6|0|0" passage="2Th 1:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. And there is nothing that more
infallibly marks a man for eternal ruin than a spirit of
persecution, and enmity to the name and people of God: as the
faith, patience, and constancy of the saints are to them an earnest
of everlasting rest and joy, so the pride, malice, and wickedness
of their persecutors are to them an earnest of everlasting misery;
for every man carries about with him, and carries out of the world
with him, either his heaven or his hell. God will render a
recompence, and will trouble those that trouble his people. This he
has done sometimes in this world, witness the dreadful end of many
persecutors; but especially this he will do in the other world,
where the portion of the wicked must be <i>weeping, and wailing,
and gnashing of teeth.</i> (2.) A reward for those that are
persecuted: God will recompense their trouble with rest, <scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.7" parsed="|2Thess|1|7|0|0" passage="2Th 1:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. There is a rest that
remains for the people of God, a rest from sin and sorrow. Though
many may be the troubles of the righteous now, yet God will deliver
them out of them all. The future rest will abundantly recompense
all their present troubles. The sufferings of this present time are
not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed.
There is enough in heaven to countervail all that we may lose or
suffer for the name of Christ in this world. The apostle says,
<i>To you who are troubled rest with us.</i> In heaven, ministers
and people shall rest together, and rejoice together, who suffer
together here; and the meanest Christian shall rest with the
greatest apostle: nay, what is far more, if we suffer for Christ,
we shall also reign with him, <scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.2.12" parsed="|2Tim|2|12|0|0" passage="2Ti 2:12">2 Tim.
ii. 12</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p13">2. Concerning this future recompence we are
further to observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p14">(1.) The certainty of it, proved by the
righteousness and justice of God: <i>It is a righteous thing with
God</i> (<scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.6" parsed="|2Thess|1|6|0|0" passage="2Th 1:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>) to
render to every man according to his works. The thoughts of this
should be terrible to wicked men and persecutors, and the great
support of the righteous and such as are persecuted; for, seeing
there is a righteous God, there will be a righteous recompence.
God's suffering people will lose nothing by their sufferings, and
their enemies will gain nothing by their advantages against
them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p15">(2.) The time when this righteous
recompence shall be made: <i>When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed
from heaven,</i> <scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.7" parsed="|2Thess|1|7|0|0" passage="2Th 1:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>. That will be the day of the <i>revelation of the
righteous judgment of God;</i> for then will God judge the world in
righteousness by that man whom he hath appointed, even Jesus Christ
the righteous Judge. The righteousness of God does not so visibly
appear to all men in the procedure of his providence as it will in
the process of the great judgment-day. The scripture has made known
to us the judgment to come, and we are bound to receive the
revelation here given concerning Christ. As,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p16">[1.] That the Lord Jesus will in that day
appear from heaven. Now the heavens retain him, they conceal him;
but then he will be revealed and made manifest. He will come in all
the pomp and power of the upper world, <i>whence we look for the
Saviour.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p17">[2.] He will be revealed with his mighty
angels (<scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.7" parsed="|2Thess|1|7|0|0" passage="2Th 1:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), or the
angels of his power: these will attend upon him, to grace the
solemnity of that great day of his appearance; they will be the
ministers of his justice and mercy in that day; they will summon
the criminals to his tribunal, and gather in the elect, and be
employed in executing his sentence.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p18">[3.] He will come in flaming fire,
<scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.8" parsed="|2Thess|1|8|0|0" passage="2Th 1:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. A fire goeth
before him, which shall consume his enemies. The earth, and all the
works that are therein, shall be burnt up, and the elements shall
melt with fervent heat. This will be a trying fire, to try every
man's work,—a refining fire, to purify the saints, who shall share
in the purity, and partake of the felicity, of the new heaven and
the new earth,—a consuming fire to the wicked. His light will be
piercing, and his power consuming, to all those who in that day
shall be found as chaff.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p19">[4.] The effects of this appearance will be
terrible to some and joyful to others.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p20"><i>First,</i> They will be terrible to
some; for he will then take vengeance on the wicked. 1. On those
that sinned against the principles of natural religion, and
rebelled against the light of nature, <i>that knew not God</i>
(<scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.8" parsed="|2Thess|1|8|0|0" passage="2Th 1:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), though the
invisible things of him are manifested in the things that are seen.
2. On those that rebel against the light of revelation, that
<i>obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.</i> And this is
the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men love
darkness rather than light. This is the great crime of
multitudes—the gospel is revealed to them, and they will not
believe it; or, if they pretend to believe it, they will not obey
it. Note, Believing the truths of the gospel is in order to our
obeying the precepts of the gospel: there must be the obedience of
faith. To such persons as are here mentioned the revelation of our
Lord Jesus Christ will be terrible, because of their doom, which is
mentioned, <scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.9" parsed="|2Thess|1|9|0|0" passage="2Th 1:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. Here
observe, (1.) They will then be punished. Though sinners may be
long reprieved, yet they will be punished at last. Their misery
will be a proper punishment for their crimes, and only what they
have deserved. They did sin's work, and must receive sin's wages.
(2.) Their punishment will be no less than destruction, not of
their being, but of their bliss; not that of the body alone, but
both as to body and soul. (3.) This destruction will be
everlasting. They shall be always dying, and yet never die. Their
misery will run parallel with the line of eternity. The chains of
darkness are everlasting chains, and the fire is everlasting fire.
It must needs be so, since the punishment is inflicted by an
eternal God, fastening upon an immortal soul, set out of the reach
of divine mercy and grace. (4.) This destruction shall come from
the <i>presence of the Lord,</i> that is, immediately from God
himself. Here God punishes sinners by creatures, by instruments;
but then he will take the work into his own hands. It will be
destruction from the Almighty, more terrible than the consuming
fire which consumed Nadab and Abihu, which came from before the
Lord. (5.) It shall come from the <i>glory of his power,</i> or
from his glorious power. Not only the justice of God, but this
almighty power, will be glorified in the destruction of sinners;
and who knows the power of his anger? He is able to cast into
hell.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p21"><i>Secondly,</i> It will be a joyful day to
some, even to the saints, unto those that believe and obey the
gospel. And then the apostle's testimony concerning this day will
be confirmed and <i>believed</i> (<scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.10" parsed="|2Thess|1|10|0|0" passage="2Th 1:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>); in that bright and blessed
day, 1. Christ Jesus will be glorified and admired by his saints.
They will behold his glory, and admire it with pleasure; they will
glorify his grace, and admire the wonders of his power and goodness
towards them, and sing hallelujahs to him in that day of his
triumph, for their complete victory and happiness. 2. Christ will
be glorified and admired in them. His grace and power will then be
manifested and magnified, when it shall appear what he has
purchased for, and wrought in, and bestowed upon, all those who
believe in him. As his wrath and power will be made known in and by
the destruction of his enemies, so his grace and power will be
magnified in the salvation of his saints. Note, Christ's dealings
with those who believe will be what the world one day shall wonder
at. Now, they are a wonder to many; but how will they be wondered
at in this great and glorious day; or, rather, how will Christ,
whose name is Wonderful, be admired, when the mystery of God shall
be finished! Christ will not be so much admired in the glorious
esteem of angels that he will bring from heaven with him as in the
many saints, <i>the many sons,</i> that he will bring to glory.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiTh.ii-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.11-2Thess.1.12" parsed="|2Thess|1|11|1|12" passage="2Th 1:11-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Thess.1.11-2Thess.1.12">
<h4 id="iiTh.ii-p21.3">The Apostle Prayer. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiTh.ii-p21.4">a.
d.</span> 52.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiTh.ii-p22">11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that
our God would count you worthy of <i>this</i> calling, and fulfil
all the good pleasure of <i>his</i> goodness, and the work of faith
with power:   12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be
glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God
and the Lord Jesus Christ.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p23">In these verses the apostle again tells the
Thessalonians of his earnest and constant prayer for them. He could
not be present with them, yet he had a constant remembrance of
them; they were much upon his thoughts; he wished them well, and
could not express his good-will and good wishes to them better than
in earnest constant prayer to God for them: <i>Wherefore also we
pray,</i> &amp;c. Note, The believing thoughts and expectation of
the second coming of Christ should put us upon prayer to God for
ourselves and others. We should watch and pray, so our Saviour
directs his disciples (<scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.21.36" parsed="|Luke|21|36|0|0" passage="Lu 21:36">Luke xxi.
36</scripRef>), <i>Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may
be counted worthy to stand before the Son of man.</i> Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p24">I. What the apostle prayed for, <scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.11" parsed="|2Thess|1|11|0|0" passage="2Th 1:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. It is a great concern
to be well instructed what to pray for; and without divine
instruction we know not what to pray for, as without divine
assistance we shall not pray in such a manner as we ought. Our
prayers should be suitable to our expectations. Thus the apostle
prays for them, 1. That God would begin his good work of grace in
them; so we may understand this expression: <i>That our God would
count you</i> (or, as it might be read, <i>make you) worthy of this
calling.</i> We are called with a high and holy calling; we are
called to God's kingdom and glory; and no less than the inheritance
of the saints is the hope of our calling, nothing less than the
enjoyment of that glory and felicity which shall be revealed when
Christ Jesus shall be revealed from heaven. Now, if this be our
calling, our great concern should be to be worthy of it, or meet
and prepared for this glory: and because we have no worthiness of
our own, but what is owing purely to the grace of God, we should
pray that he would make us worthy, and then count us worthy, of
this calling, or that he would make us meet to partake of the
inheritance of the saints in light, <scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.12" parsed="|Col|1|12|0|0" passage="Col 1:12">Col. i. 12</scripRef>. 2. That God would carry on the
good work that is begun, and <i>fulfil all the good pleasure of his
goodness.</i> The good pleasure of God denotes his gracious
purposes towards his people, which flow from his goodness, and are
full of goodness towards them; and it is thence that all good comes
to us. If there be any good in us, it is the fruit of God's
good-will to us, it is owing to the good pleasure of his goodness,
and therefore is called grace. Now, there are various and manifold
purposes of grace and good-will in God towards his people; and the
apostle prays that all of them may be fulfilled or accomplished
towards these Thessalonians. There are several good works of grace
begun in the hearts of God's people, which proceed from this good
pleasure of God's goodness, and we should desire that they may be
completed and perfected. In particular, the apostle prays that God
would fulfil in them the <i>work of faith with power.</i> Note,
(1.) The fulfilling of the work of faith is in order to the
fulfilling of every other good work. And, (2.) It is the power of
God that not only begins, but that carries on and perfects the work
of faith.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiTh.ii-p25">II. Why the apostle prayed for these things
(<scripRef id="iiTh.ii-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.12" parsed="|2Thess|1|12|0|0" passage="2Th 1:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>): <i>That the
name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified;</i> this is the end we
should aim at in every thing we do and desire, that God and Christ
in all things may be glorified. Our own happiness and that of
others should be subordinate to this ultimate end. Our good works
should so shine before men that others may glorify God, that Christ
may be glorified in and by us, and then we shall be glorified in
and with him. And this is the great end and design of the grace of
our God and the Lord Jesus Christ, which is manifested to us and
wrought in us. Or thus: it is according to the grace of God and
Christ, that is, it is an agreeable thing, considering the grace
that is manifested to us and bestowed on us, by God and Christ,
that we direct all we do to the glory of our Creator and
Redeemer.</p>
</div></div2>