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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [First Thessalonians V].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC52004.HTM">Previous</A>]
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>F I R S T T H E S S A L O N I A N S.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. V.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The apostle, having spoken in the end of the foregoing chapter
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concerning the resurrection, and the second coming of Christ, proceeds
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to speak concerning the uselessness of enquiring after the particular
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time of Christ's coming, which would be sudden and terrible to the
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wicked, but comfortable to the saints,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:1-5">ver. 1-5</A>.
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He then exhorts them to the duties of watchfulness, sobriety, and the
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exercise of faith, love, and hope, as being suitable to their state,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:6-10">ver. 6-10</A>.
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In the next words he exhorts them to several duties they owed to
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others, or to one another
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:11-15">ver. 11-15</A>),
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afterwards to several other Christian duties of great importance
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:16-22">ver. 16-22</A>),
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and then concludes this epistle,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:23-28">ver. 23-28</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="1Th5_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Th5_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Th5_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Th5_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Th5_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Coming of Christ.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 51.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need
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that I write unto you.
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2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so
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cometh as a thief in the night.
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3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden
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destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child;
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and they shall not escape.
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4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should
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overtake you as a thief.
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5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the
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day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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In these words observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. The apostle tells the Thessalonians it was needless or useless to
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enquire about the particular time of Christ's coming: <I>Of the times
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and seasons you need not that I write unto you,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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The thing is certain that Christ will come, and there is a certain time
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appointed for his coming; but there was no need that the apostle should
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write about this, and therefore he had no revelation given him; nor
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should they or we enquire into this secret, <I>which the Father has
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reserved in his own power. Of that day and hour knoweth no man.</I>
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Christ himself did not reveal this while upon earth; it was not in his
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commission as the great prophet of the church: nor did he reveal this
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to his apostles; there was <I>no need</I> of this. There are times and
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seasons for us to do our work in: these it is our duty and interest to
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know and observe; but the time and season when we must give up our
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account we know not, nor is it needful that we should know them. Note,
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There are many things which our vain curiosity desires to know which
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there is no necessity at all of our knowing, nor would our knowledge of
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them do us good.</P>
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<P>
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II. He tells them that the coming of Christ would be sudden, and a
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great surprise to most men,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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And this is what they knew perfectly, or might know, because our Lord
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himself had so said: <I>In such an hour as you think not, the Son of
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man cometh,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:44">Matt. xxiv. 44</A>.
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So
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+13:35,36">Mark xiii. 35, 36</A>,
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<I>Watch you therefore, for you know not when the master of the house
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cometh; lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.</I> And no doubt
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the apostle had told them, as of the coming of Christ, so also of his
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coming suddenly, which is the meaning of his coming <I>as a thief in
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the night,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+16:15">Rev. xvi. 15</A>.
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As the thief usually cometh in the dead time of the night, when he is
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least expected, such a <I>surprise</I> will the day of the Lord be; so
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sudden and surprising will be his appearance. The knowledge of this
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will be more useful than to know the exact time, because this should
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awaken us to stand upon our watch, that we may be ready whenever he
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cometh.</P>
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<P>
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III. He tells them how terrible Christ's coming would be to the
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ungodly,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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It will be to their destruction in that day of the Lord. The righteous
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God will bring ruin upon his and his people's enemies; and this their
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destruction, as it will be total and final, so,
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1. It will be sudden. It will overtake them, and fall upon them, in
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the midst of their carnal security and jollity, when they say in their
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hearts, <I>Peace and safety,</I> when they dream of felicity and please
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themselves with vain amusements of their fancies or their senses, and
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think not of it,--<I>as travail cometh upon a woman with child,</I> at
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the set time indeed, but not perhaps just then expected, nor greatly
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feared.
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2. It will be unavoidable destruction too: <I>They shall not
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escape;</I> they shall in no wise escape. There will be no means
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possible for them to avoid the terror nor the punishment of that day.
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There will be <I>no place where the workers of iniquity shall be able
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to hide themselves,</I> no shelter from the storm, nor shadow from the
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burning heat that shall consume the wicked.</P>
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<P>
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IV. He tells them how comfortable this day will be to the righteous,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:4,5"><I>v.</I> 4, 5</A>.
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Here observe,
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1. Their character and privilege. They are not in darkness; they are
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the children of the light, &c. This was the happy condition of the
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Thessalonians as it is of all true Christians. They were not in a state
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of sin and ignorance as the heathen world. They were <I>some time
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darkness, but were made light in the Lord.</I> They were favoured with
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the divine revelation of things that are unseen and eternal,
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particularly concerning the coming of Christ, and the consequences
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thereof. They were the <I>children of the day,</I> for the day-star had
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risen upon them; yea, the Sun of righteousness had arisen on them with
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healing under his wings. They were no longer under the darkness of
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heathenism, nor under the shadows of the law, but under the gospel,
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which brings life and immortality to light.
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:10">2 Tim. i. 10</A>.
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2. Their great advantage on this account: that <I>that day should not
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overtake them as a thief,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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It was at least their own fault if they were surprised by that day.
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They had fair warning, and sufficient helps to provide against that
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day, and might hope to stand with comfort and confidence before the Son
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of man. This would be a time of <I>refreshing to them from the presence
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of the Lord,</I> who to <I>those that look for him will appear without
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sin unto their salvation,</I> and will come to them as a friend in the
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day, not as a thief in the night.</P>
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<A NAME="1Th5_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Th5_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Th5_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Th5_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Th5_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Watchfulness and Sobriety.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 51.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>6 Therefore let us not sleep, as <I>do</I> others; but let us watch
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and be sober.
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7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be
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drunken are drunken in the night.
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8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the
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breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of
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salvation.
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9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain
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salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
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10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should
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live together with him.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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On what had been said, the apostle grounds seasonable exhortations to
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several needful duties.</P>
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<P>
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I. To watchfulness and sobriety,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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These duties are distinct, yet they mutually befriend one another. For,
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while we are compassed about with so many temptations to intemperance
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and excess, we shall not keep sober, unless we be upon our guard, and,
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unless we keep sober, we shall not long watch.
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1. Then <I>let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch;</I> we must
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not be secure and careless, nor indulge spiritual sloth and idleness.
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We must not be off our watch, but continually upon our guard against
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sin, and temptation to it. The generality of men are too careless of
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their duty and regardless of their spiritual enemies. They say,
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<I>Peace and safety,</I> when they are in the greatest danger, doze
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away their precious moments on which eternity depends, indulging idle
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dreams, and have no more thoughts nor cares about another world than
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men that are asleep have about this. Either they do not consider the
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things of another world at all, because they are asleep; or they do not
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consider them aright, because they dream. But let us watch, and act
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like men that are awake, and that stand upon their guard.
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2. Let us also <I>be sober,</I> or temperate and moderate. Let us keep
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our natural desires and appetites after the things of this world within
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due bounds. Sobriety is usually opposed to excess in meats and drinks,
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and here particularly it is opposed to drunkenness; but it also extends
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to all other temporal things. Thus our Saviour warned his disciples to
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<I>take heed lest their hearts should be overcharged with surfeiting
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and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come on them
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unawares,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+21:34">Luke xxi. 34</A>.
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<I>Our moderation</I> then, as to all temporal things, <I>should be
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known to all men, because the Lord is at hand.</I> Besides this,
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watchfulness and sobriety are most suitable to the Christian's
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character and privilege, as being <I>children of the day;</I> because
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<I>those that sleep sleep in the night, and those that are drunken are
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drunken in the night,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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It is a most reproachful thing for men to sleep away the day-time,
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which is for work and not for sleep, to be drunken in the day, when so
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many eyes are upon them, to behold their shame. It was not so strange
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if those who had not the benefit of divine revelation suffered
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themselves to be lulled asleep by the devil in carnal security, and if
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they laid the reins upon the neck of their appetites, and indulged
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themselves in all manner of riot and excess; for it was night-time with
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them. They were not sensible of their danger, therefore they
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<I>slept;</I> they were not sensible of their duty, therefore they were
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drunk: but it ill becomes Christians to do thus. What! shall
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Christians, who have the light of the blessed gospel shining in their
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faces, be careless about their souls, and unmindful of another world?
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Those who have so many eyes upon them should conduct themselves with
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peculiar propriety.</P>
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<P>
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II. To be well armed as well as watchful: to put on the whole armour of
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God. This is necessary in order to such sobriety as becomes us and will
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be a preparation for the day of the Lord, because our spiritual enemies
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are many, and mighty, and malicious. They draw many to their interest,
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and keep them in it, by making them careless, secure, and presumptuous,
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by making them drunk--drunk with pride, drunk with passion, drunk and
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giddy with self-conceit, drunk with the gratifications of sense: so
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that we have need to arm ourselves against their attempts, by putting
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on the spiritual breast-plate to keep the heart, and the spiritual
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helmet to secure the head; and this spiritual armour consists of three
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great graces of Christians, faith, love, and hope,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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1. We must live by faith, and this will keep us watchful and sober. If
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we believe that the eye of God (who is a spirit) is always upon us,
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that we have spiritual enemies to grapple with, that there is a world
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of spirits to prepare for, we shall see reason to watch and be sober.
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Faith will be our best defence against the assaults of our enemies.
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2. We must get a heart inflamed with love; and this also will be our
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defence. True and fervent love to God, and the things of God, will keep
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us watchful and sober, and hinder our apostasy in times of trouble and
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temptation.
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3. We must make salvation our hope, and should have a lively hope of
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it. This good hope, through grace, of eternal life, will be as a helmet
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to defend the head, and hinder our being intoxicated with the pleasures
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of sin, which are but for a season. If we have hope of salvation, let
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us take heed of doing any thing that shall shake our hopes, or render
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us unworthy of or unfit for the great salvation we hope for. Having
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mentioned salvation and the hope of it, the apostle shows what grounds
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and reasons Christians have to hope for this salvation, as to which
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observe, He says nothing of their meriting it. No, the doctrine of our
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merits is altogether unscriptural and antiscriptural; there is no
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foundation of any good hope upon that account. But our hopes are to be
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grounded,
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(1.) Upon God's appointment: because <I>God hath not appointed us to
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wrath, but to obtain salvation,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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If we would trace our salvation to the first cause, that is God's
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appointment. Those who live and die in darkness and ignorance, who
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sleep and are drunken as in the night, are, it is but too plain,
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<I>appointed to wrath;</I> but as for those who are of the day, if they
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watch and be sober, it is evident that they are <I>appointed to obtain
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salvation.</I> And the sureness and firmness of the divine appointment
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are the great support and encouragement of our hope. Were we to obtain
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salvation by our own merit or power, we could have but little or no
|
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hope of it; but seeing we are to obtain it by virtue of God's
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appointment, which we are sure cannot be shaken (<I>for his purpose,
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according to election, shall stand</I>), on this we build unshaken
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hope, especially when we consider,
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(2.) Christ's merit and grace, and that salvation is by our Lord Jesus
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Christ, who died for us. Our salvation therefore is owing to, and our
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hopes of it are grounded on, Christ's atonement as well as God's
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appointment: and, as we should think on God's gracious design and
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purpose, so also on Christ's death and sufferings, for this end,
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<I>that whether we wake or sleep</I> (whether we live or die, for death
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|
is but a sleep to believers, as the apostles had before intimated)
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<I>we should live together with Christ</I> live in union and in glory
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with him for ever. And, as it is the salvation that Christians hope for
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to <I>be for ever with the Lord,</I> so one foundation of their hope is
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|
their union with him. And if they are united with Christ, and live in
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him, and live to him, here, the sleep of death will be no prejudice to
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|
the spiritual life, much less to the life of glory hereafter. On the
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contrary, Christ died for us, that, living and dying, we might be his;
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that we might live to him while we are here, and live with him when we
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go hence.</P>
|
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|
|
<A NAME="1Th5_11"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="1Th5_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Th5_13"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="1Th5_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Th5_15"> </A>
|
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<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Various Exhortations; Duty towards Fellow-Christians.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 51.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
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<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one
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|
another, even as also ye do.
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|
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour
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|
among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
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13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's
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sake. <I>And</I> be at peace among yourselves.
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14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly,
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comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all
|
|
<I>men.</I>
|
|
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any <I>man;</I> but ever
|
|
follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all
|
|
<I>men.</I>
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In these words the apostle exhorts the Thessalonians to several
|
|
duties.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Towards those who were nearly related one to another. Such should
|
|
comfort themselves, or exhort one another, and edify one another,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. They must comfort or exhort themselves and one another; for the
|
|
original word may be rendered both these ways. And we may observe, As
|
|
those are most able and likely to comfort others who can comfort
|
|
themselves, so the way to have comfort ourselves, or to administer
|
|
comfort to others, is by compliance with the exhortation of the word.
|
|
Note, We should not only be careful about our own comfort and welfare,
|
|
but to promote the comfort and welfare of others also. He was a Cain
|
|
that said, <I>Am I my brother's keeper?</I> We <I>must bear one
|
|
another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. They must edify one another, by <I>following after those things
|
|
whereby one may edify another,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+14:19">Rom. xiv. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
As Christians are lively stones built up together a spiritual house,
|
|
they should endeavour to promote the good of the whole church by
|
|
promoting the work of grace in one another. And it is the duty of every
|
|
one of us to study that which is for the edification of those with whom
|
|
we converse, <I>to please all men for their</I> real <I>profit.</I> We
|
|
should communicate our knowledge and experiences one to another. We
|
|
should join in prayer and praise one with another. We should set a good
|
|
example one before another. And it is the duty of those especially who
|
|
live in the same vicinity and family thus to comfort and edify one
|
|
another; and this is the best neighbourhood, the best means to answer
|
|
the end of society. Such as are nearly related together and have
|
|
affection for one another, as they have the greatest opportunity, so
|
|
they are under the greatest obligation, to do this kindness one to
|
|
another. This the Thessalonians did (<I>which also you do</I>), and
|
|
this is what they are exhorted to continue and increase in doing. Note,
|
|
Those who do that which is good have need of further exhortations to
|
|
excite them to do good, to do more good, as well as continue in doing
|
|
what they do.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He shows them their duty towards their ministers,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:12,13"><I>v.</I> 12, 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Though the apostle himself was driven from them, yet they had others
|
|
who laboured among them, and to whom they owed these duties. The
|
|
apostle here exhorts them to observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. How the ministers of the gospel are described by the work of their
|
|
office; and they should rather mind the work and duty they are called
|
|
to than affect venerable and honourable names that they may be called
|
|
by. Their work is very weighty, and very honourable and useful.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Ministers must labour among their people, labour with diligence,
|
|
and unto weariness (so the word in the original imports); <I>they must
|
|
labour in the word and doctrine,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:17">1 Tim. v. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
They are called labourers, and should not be loiterers. They must
|
|
labour with their people, to instruct, comfort, and edify them. And,
|
|
|
|
(2.) Ministers are to rule their people also, so the word is rendered,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:17">1 Tim. v. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
They must rule, not with rigour, but with love. They must not exercise
|
|
dominion as temporal lords; but rule as spiritual guides, by setting a
|
|
good example to the flock. They are over the people in the Lord, to
|
|
distinguish them from civil magistrates, and to denote also that they
|
|
are but ministers under Christ, appointed by him, and must rule the
|
|
people by Christ's laws, and not by laws of their own. This may also
|
|
intimate the end of their office and all their labour; namely, the
|
|
service and honour of the Lord.
|
|
|
|
(3.) They must also admonish the people, and that not only publicly,
|
|
but privately, as there may be occasion. They must instruct them to do
|
|
well, and should reprove when they do ill. It is their duty not only to
|
|
give good counsel, but also to give admonition, to give warning to the
|
|
flock of the dangers they are liable to, and reprove for negligence or
|
|
what else may be amiss.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. What the duty of the people is towards their ministers. There is a
|
|
mutual duty between ministers and people. If ministers should labour
|
|
among the people, then,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The people must know them. As the shepherd should know his flock,
|
|
so the sheep must know their shepherd. They must know his person, hear
|
|
his voice, acknowledge him for their pastor, and pay due regard to his
|
|
teaching, ruling, and admonitions.
|
|
|
|
(2.) They must esteem their ministers highly in love; they should
|
|
greatly value the office of the ministry, honour and love the persons
|
|
of their ministers, and show their esteem and affection in all proper
|
|
ways, and this for their work's sake, because their business is to
|
|
promote the honour of Christ and the welfare of men's souls. Note,
|
|
Faithful ministers ought to be so far from being lightly esteemed
|
|
because of their work that they should be highly esteemed on account of
|
|
it. The work of the ministry is so far from being a disgrace to those
|
|
who upon other accounts deserve esteem, that it puts an honour upon
|
|
those who are faithful and diligent, to which otherwise they could lay
|
|
no claim, and will procure them that esteem and love among good people
|
|
which otherwise they could not expect.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He gives divers other exhortations touching the duty Christians
|
|
owe to one another.
|
|
|
|
1. To <I>be at peace among themselves,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some understand this exhortation (according to the reading in some
|
|
copies) as referring to the people's duty to their ministers, to live
|
|
peaceably with them, and not raise nor promote dissensions at any time
|
|
between minister and people, which will certainly prove a hindrance to
|
|
the success of a minister's work and the edification of the people.
|
|
This is certain, that ministers and people should avoid every thing
|
|
that tends to alienate their affections one from another. And the
|
|
people should be at peace among themselves, doing all they can to
|
|
hinder any differences from rising or continuing among them, and using
|
|
all proper means to preserve peace and harmony.
|
|
|
|
2. <I>To warn the unruly,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
There will be in all societies some who walk disorderly, who go out of
|
|
their rank and station; and it is not only the duty of ministers, but
|
|
of private Christians also, to warn and admonish them. Such should be
|
|
reproved for their sin, warned of their danger, and told plainly of the
|
|
injury they do their own souls, and the hurt they may do to others.
|
|
Such should be put in mind of what they should do, and be reproved for
|
|
doing otherwise.
|
|
|
|
3. <I>To comfort the feebleminded,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
By these are intended the timorous and faint-hearted, or such as are
|
|
dejected and of a sorrowful spirit. Some are cowardly, afraid of
|
|
difficulties, and disheartened at the thoughts of hazards, and losses,
|
|
and afflictions; now such should be encouraged; we should not despise
|
|
them, but comfort them; and who knows what good a kind and comfortable
|
|
word may do them?
|
|
|
|
4. <I>To support the weak,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some are not well able to perform their work, nor bear up under their
|
|
burdens; we should therefore support them, help their infirmities, and
|
|
lift at one end of the burden, and so help to bear it. It is the grace
|
|
of God, indeed, that must strengthen and support such; but we should
|
|
tell them of that grace, and endeavour to minister of that grace to
|
|
them.
|
|
|
|
5. <I>To be patient towards all men,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
We must bear and forbear. We must be long-suffering, and suppress our
|
|
anger, if it begin to rise upon the apprehension of affronts or
|
|
injuries; at least we must not fail to moderate our anger: and this
|
|
duty must be exercised towards all men, good and bad, high and low. We
|
|
must not be high in our expectations and demands, nor harsh in our
|
|
resentments, nor hard in our impositions, but endeavour to make the
|
|
best we can of every thing, and think the best we can of every body.
|
|
|
|
6. <I>Not to render evil for evil to any man,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
This we must look to, and be very careful about, that is, we must by
|
|
all means forbear to avenge ourselves. If others do us an injury, this
|
|
will not justify us in returning it, in doing the same, or the like, or
|
|
any other injury to them. It becomes us to forgive, as those that are,
|
|
and that hope to be, forgiven of God.
|
|
|
|
7. <I>Ever to follow that which is good,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
In general, we must study to do what is our duty, and pleasing to God,
|
|
in all circumstances, whether men do us good turns or ill turns;
|
|
whatever men do to us, we must do good to others. We must always
|
|
endeavour to be beneficent and instrumental to promote the welfare of
|
|
others, both among ourselves (in the first place to those that <I>are
|
|
of the household o faith</I>), and then, <I>as we have opportunity,
|
|
unto all men,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+6:10">Gal. vi. 10</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Th5_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Th5_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Th5_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Th5_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Th5_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Th5_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Th5_22"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Various Short Exhortations.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 51.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>16 Rejoice evermore.
|
|
17 Pray without ceasing.
|
|
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in
|
|
Christ Jesus concerning you.
|
|
19 Quench not the Spirit.
|
|
20 Despise not prophesyings.
|
|
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
|
|
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here we have divers short exhortations, that will not burden our
|
|
memories, but will be of great use to direct the motions of our hearts
|
|
and lives; for the duties are of great importance, and we may observe
|
|
how they are connected together, and have a dependence upon one
|
|
another.
|
|
|
|
1. <I>Rejoice evermore,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
This must be understood of spiritual joy; for we must rejoice in our
|
|
creature-comforts as if we rejoiced not, and must not expect to live
|
|
many years, and rejoice in them all; but, if we do rejoice in God, we
|
|
may do that evermore. In him our joy will be full; and it is our fault
|
|
if we have not a continual feast. If we are sorrowful upon any worldly
|
|
account, yet still we may always rejoice,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+6:10">2 Cor. vi. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, A religious life is a pleasant life, it is a life of constant
|
|
joy.
|
|
|
|
2. <I>Pray without ceasing,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, The way to rejoice evermore is to pray without ceasing. We should
|
|
rejoice more if we prayed more. We should keep up stated times for
|
|
prayer, and continue instant in prayer. We should pray always, and not
|
|
faint: pray without weariness, and continue in prayer, till we come to
|
|
that world where prayer shall be swallowed up in praise. The meaning is
|
|
not that men should do nothing but pray, but that nothing else we do
|
|
should hinder prayer in its proper season. Prayer will help forward and
|
|
not hinder all other lawful business, and every good work.
|
|
|
|
3. <I>In every thing give thanks,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
If we pray without ceasing, we shall not want matter for thanksgiving
|
|
<I>in every thing.</I> As we must in every thing make our requests
|
|
known to God by supplications, so we must not omit thanksgiving,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:6">Phil. iv. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
We should be thankful in every condition, even in adversity as well as
|
|
prosperity. It is never so bad with us but it might be worse. If we
|
|
have ever so much occasion to make our humble complaints to God, we
|
|
never can have any reason to complain of God, and have always much
|
|
reason to praise and give thanks: the apostle says, This is the <I>will
|
|
of God in Christ Jesus concerning us, that we give thanks,</I> seeing
|
|
God is reconciled to us in Christ Jesus; in him, through him, and for
|
|
his sake, he allows us to rejoice evermore, and appoints us in every
|
|
thing to give thanks. It is pleasing to God.
|
|
|
|
4. <I>Quench not the Spirit</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
for it is this Spirit of grace and supplication that helpeth our
|
|
infirmities, that assisteth us in our prayers and thanksgivings.
|
|
Christians are said to <I>be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with
|
|
fire.</I> He worketh as fire, by enlightening, enlivening, and
|
|
purifying the souls of men. We must be careful not to quench this holy
|
|
fire. As fire is put out by withdrawing fuel, so we quench the Spirit
|
|
if we do not stir up our spirits, and all that is within us, to comply
|
|
with the motions of the good Spirit; and as fire is quenched by pouring
|
|
water, or putting a great quantity of dirt upon it, so we must be
|
|
careful not to quench the Holy Spirit by indulging carnal lusts and
|
|
affections, or minding only earthly things.
|
|
|
|
5. <I>Despise not prophesyings</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>);
|
|
|
|
for, if we neglect the means of grace, we forfeit the Spirit of grace.
|
|
By <I>prophesyings</I> here we are to understand the preaching of the
|
|
word, the interpreting and applying of the scriptures; and this we must
|
|
not despise, but should prize and value, because it is the ordinance of
|
|
God, appointed of him for our furtherance and increase in knowledge and
|
|
grace, in holiness and comfort. We must not despise preaching, though
|
|
it be plain, and not with enticing words of men's wisdom, and though we
|
|
be told no more than what we knew before. It is useful, and many times
|
|
needful, to have our minds stirred up, our affections and resolutions
|
|
excited, to those things that we knew before to be our interest and our
|
|
duty.
|
|
|
|
6. <I>Prove all things, but hold fast that which is good,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
This is a needful caution, to prove all things; for, though we must put
|
|
a value on preaching, we must not take things upon trust from the
|
|
preacher, but try them by the law and the testimony. We must search the
|
|
scriptures, whether what they say be true or not. We must not believe
|
|
every spirit, but must try the spirits. But we must not be always
|
|
trying, always unsettled; no, at length we must be settled, and hold
|
|
fast that which is good. When we are satisfied that any thing is right,
|
|
and true, and good, we must hold it fast, and not let it go, whatever
|
|
opposition or whatever persecution we meet with for the sake thereof.
|
|
Note, The doctrines of human infallibility, implicit faith, and blind
|
|
obedience, are not the doctrines of the Bible. Every Christian has and
|
|
ought to have, the judgment of discretion, and should have <I>his
|
|
senses exercised in discerning between good and evil,</I> truth and
|
|
falsehood,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+5:13,14">Heb. v. 13, 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
And proving all things must be in order to holding fast that which is
|
|
good. We must not always be seekers, or fluctuating in our minds,
|
|
<I>like children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine.</I>
|
|
|
|
7. <I>Abstain from all appearance of evil,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
This is a good means to prevent our being deceived with false
|
|
doctrines, or unsettled in our faith; for our Saviour has told us
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+7:17">John vii. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>If a man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it
|
|
be of God.</I> Corrupt affections indulged in the heart, and evil
|
|
practices allowed of in the life, will greatly tend to promote fatal
|
|
errors in the mind; whereas purity of heart, and integrity of life,
|
|
will dispose men to receive the truth in the love of it. We should
|
|
therefore abstain from evil, and all appearances of evil, from sin, and
|
|
that which looks like sin, leads to it, and borders upon it. He who is
|
|
not shy of the appearances of sin, who shuns not the occasions of sin,
|
|
and who avoids not the temptations and approaches to sin, will not long
|
|
abstain from the actual commission of sin.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Th5_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Th5_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Th5_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Th5_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Th5_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Th5_28"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Paul's Prayer for the Thessalonians.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 51.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and <I>I pray
|
|
God</I> your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless
|
|
unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
|
|
24 Faithful <I>is</I> he that calleth you, who also will do <I>it.</I>
|
|
25 Brethren, pray for us.
|
|
26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
|
|
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all
|
|
the holy brethren.
|
|
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ <I>be</I> with you. Amen.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In these words, which conclude this epistle, observe,</P>
|
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<P>
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I. Paul's prayer for them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
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He had told them, in the beginning of this epistle, that he always made
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mention of them in his prayers; and, now that he is writing to them, he
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lifts up his heart to God in prayer for them. Take notice,
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1. To whom the apostle prays, namely, <I>The very God of peace.</I> He
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is the God of grace, and the God of peace and love. He is the author of
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peace and lover of concord; and by their peaceableness and unity, from
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God as the author, those things would best be obtained which he prays
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for.
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2. The things he prays for on behalf of the Thessalonians are their
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sanctification, that <I>God would sanctify them wholly;</I> and their
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preservation, that they might be <I>preserved blameless.</I> He prays
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that they may be wholly sanctified, that the whole man may be
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sanctified, and then that the whole man, spirit, soul, and body, may be
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preserved: or, he prays that they may be wholly sanctified, that is,
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more perfectly, for the best are sanctified but in part while in this
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world; and therefore we should pray for and press towards complete
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sanctification. Where the good work of grace is begun, it shall be
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carried on, be protected and preserved; and all those who are
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sanctified in Christ Jesus shall be preserved to the coming of our Lord
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Jesus Christ. And because, if God did not carry on his good work in the
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soul, it would miscarry, we should pray to God to perfect his work, and
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<I>preserve us blameless,</I> free from sin and impurity, till at
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length we are <I>presented faultless before the throne of his glory
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with exceeding joy.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. His comfortable assurance that God would hear his prayer:
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<I>Faithful is he who calleth you, who will also do it,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
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The kindness and love of God had appeared to them in calling them to
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the knowledge of his truth, and the faithfulness of God was their
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security that they should persevere to the end; and therefore, the
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apostle assures them, God would do what he desired; he would effect
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what he had promised; he would accomplish all the good pleasure of his
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goodness towards them. Note, Our fidelity to God depends upon his
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faithfulness to us.</P>
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<P>
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III. His request of their prayers: <I>Brethren, pray for us,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
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We should pray for one another; and brethren should thus express
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brotherly love. This great apostle did not think it beneath him to call
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the Thessalonians brethren, nor to request their prayers. Ministers
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stand in need of their people's prayers; and the more people pray for
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their ministers the more good ministers may have from God, and the more
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benefit people may receive by their ministry.</P>
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<P>
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IV. His salutation: <I>Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
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Thus the apostle sends a friendly salutation from himself, and
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Silvanus, and Timotheus, and would have them salute each other in their
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names; and thus he would have them signify their mutual love and
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affection to one another by the kiss of charity
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+5:14">1 Pet. v. 14</A>),
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which is here called a holy kiss, to intimate how cautious they should
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be of all impurity in the use of this ceremony, then commonly
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practised; as it should not be a treacherous kiss like that of Judas,
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so not a lascivious kiss like that of the harlot,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+7:13">Prov. vii. 13</A>.</P>
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<P>
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V. His solemn charge for the reading of this epistle,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
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This is not only an exhortation, but an adjuration by the Lord. And
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this epistle was to be read to all the holy brethren. It is not only
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allowed to the common people to read the scriptures, and what none
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should prohibit, but it is their indispensable duty, and what they
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should be persuaded to do. In order to this, these holy oracles should
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not be kept concealed in an unknown tongue, but translated into the
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vulgar languages, that all men, being concerned to know the scriptures,
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may be able to read them, and be acquainted with them. The public
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reading of the law was one part of the worship of the sabbath among the
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Jews in their synagogues, and the scriptures should be read in the
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public assemblies of Christians also.</P>
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<P>
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VI. The apostolical benediction that is usual in other epistles: <I>The
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grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+5:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
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We need no more to make us happy than to know that grace which our Lord
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Jesus Christ has manifested, be interested in that grace which he has
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purchased, and partake of that grace which dwells in him as the head of
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the church. This is an ever-flowing and overflowing fountain of grace
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to supply all our wants.</P>
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