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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Second Thessalonians III].</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="MHC53002.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>S E C O N D<BR>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. III.</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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In the close of the foregoing chapter, the apostle had prayed earnestly
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for the Thessalonians, and now he desires their prayers, encouraging
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them to trust in God, to which he subjoins another petition for them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:1-5">ver. 1-5</A>.
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He then proceeds to give them commands and directions for correcting
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some things he was informed were amiss among them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:6-15">ver. 6-15</A>)
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and concludes with benedictions and prayers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:16-18">ver. 16-18</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Th3_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th3_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th3_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th3_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th3_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 Apostle's Pious Request.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 52.</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 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may
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have <I>free</I> course, and be glorified, even as <I>it is</I> with you:
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2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked
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men: for all <I>men</I> have not faith.
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3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep
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<I>you</I> from evil.
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4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both
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do and will do the things which we command you.
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5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and
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into the patient waiting for Christ.
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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 desires the prayers of his friends: <I>Finally,
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brethren, pray for us,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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He always remembered them in his prayers, and would not have them
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forget him and his fellow-labourers, but bear them on their hearts at
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the throne of grace. Note,
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1. This is one way by which the communion of saints is kept us, not
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only by their praying together, or with one another, but by their
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praying for one another when they are absent one from another. And thus
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those who are at great distance may meet together at the throne of
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grace; and thus those who are not capable of doing or receiving any
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other kindness may yet this way do and receive real and very great
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kindness.
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2. It is the duty of people to pray for their ministers; and not only
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for their own pastors, but also for all good and faithful ministers.
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And,
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3. Ministers need, and therefore should desire, the prayers of their
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people. How remarkable is the humility, and how engaging the example,
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of this great apostle, who was so mighty in prayer himself, and yet
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despised not the prayers of the meanest Christian, but desired an
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interest in them. Observe, further, what they are desired and directed
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to pray for; namely,
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(1.) For the success of the gospel ministry: <I>That the word of the
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Lord may have free course, and be glorified,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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This was the great thing that Paul was most solicitous about. He was
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more solicitous that God's name might be sanctified, his kingdom
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advanced, and his will done, than he was about his own daily bread. He
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desired that the word of the Lord might run (so it is in the original),
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that it might get ground, that the interest of religion in the world
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might go forward and not backward, and not only go forward, but go
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apace. All the forces of hell were then, and still are, more or less,
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raised and mustered to oppose the word of the Lord, to hinder its
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publication and success. We should pray, therefore, that oppositions
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may be removed, that so the gospel, may have free course to the ears,
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the hearts, and the consciences of men, that it may be glorified in the
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conviction and conversion of sinners, the confutation, of gainsayers,
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and the holy conversation of the saints. God, who magnified the law,
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and made it honourable, will glorify the gospel, and make that
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honourable, and so will glorify his own name; and good ministers and
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good Christians may very well be contented to be little, to be any
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thing, to be nothing, if Christ be magnified and his gospel be
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glorified. Paul was now at Athens, or, as some think, at Corinth, and
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would have the Thessalonians pray that he might have as good success
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there as he had at Thessalonica, that it might be as well with others
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even as it was with them. Note, If ministers have been successful in
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one place, they should desire to be successful in every place where
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they may preach the gospel.
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(2.) For the safety of gospel ministers. He asks their prayers, nor for
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preferment, but for preservation: <I>That we may be delivered from
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unreasonable and wicked men,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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Note, Those who are enemies to the preaching of the gospel, and
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persecutors of the faithful preachers of it, are unreasonable and
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wicked men. They act against all the rules and laws of reason and
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religion, and are guilty of the greatest absurdity and impiety. Not
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only in the principles of atheism and infidelity, but also in the
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practice of the vice and immorality, and especially in persecution,
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there is the greatest absurdity in the world, as well as impiety. There
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is need of the spiritual protection, as well as the assistance, of
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godly and faithful ministers, for these are as the standard-bearers,
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who are most struck at; and therefore all who wish well to the interest
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of Christ in the world should pray for them. <I>For all men have not
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faith;</I> that is, many do not believe the gospel; they will not
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embrace it themselves, and no wonder if such are restless and malicious
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in their endeavours to oppose the gospel, decry the ministry, and
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disgrace the ministers of the word; and too many have not common faith
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or honesty; there is no confidence that we can safely put in them, and
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we should pray to be delivered from those who have no conscience nor
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honour, who never regard what they say or do. We may sometimes be in as
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much or more danger from false and pretended friends as from open and
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avowed enemies.</P>
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<P>
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II. He encourages them to trust in God. We should not only pray to God
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for his grace, but also place our trust and confidence in his grace,
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and humbly expect what we pray for. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. What the good is which we may expect from the grace of
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God-establishment, and preservation from evil; and the best Christians
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stand in need of these benefits.
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(1.) That God would establish them. This the apostle had prayed for on
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their behalf
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:17">
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<I>ch.</I> 2:17</A>),
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and now he encourages them to expect this favour. We stand no longer
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than God holds us up; unless he <I>hold up our goings in his paths, our
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feet will slide,</I> and we shall fall.
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(2.) That God will keep them from evil. We have as much need of the
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grace of God for our perseverance to the end as for the beginning of
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the good work. The evil of sin is the greatest evil, but there are
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other evils which God will also preserve his saints from--the evil that
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is in the world, yea, from all evil, to his heavenly kingdom.</P>
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<P>
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2. What encouragement we have to depend upon the grace of God: <I>The
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Lord is faithful.</I> He is faithful to his promises, and is the Lord
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who cannot lie, who will not alter the thing that has gone out of his
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mouth. When once the promise therefore is made, performance is sure and
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certain. He is faithful to his relation, a faithful God and a faithful
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friend; we may depend upon his filling up all the relations he stands
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in to his people. Let it be our care to be true and faithful in our
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promises, and to the relations we stand in to this faithful God. He
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adds,</P>
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<P>
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3. A further ground of hope that God would do this for them, seeing
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they did and would do the things they were commanded,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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The apostle had this confidence in them, and this was founded upon his
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confidence in God; for there is otherwise no confidence in man. Their
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obedience is described by doing what he and his fellow-labourers had
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commanded them, which was no other thing than the commandments of the
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Lord; for the apostles themselves had no further commission than to
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teach men <I>to observe and to do what the Lord had commanded,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+28:20">Matt. xxviii. 20</A>.
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And as the experience the apostle had of their obedience for the time
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past was one ground of his confidence that they would do the things
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commanded them for the time to come, so this is one ground to hope that
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<I>whatsoever we ask of God we shall receive of him, because we keep
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his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his
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sight,</I> 1
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+3:22">John iii. 22</A>.</P>
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<P>
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III. He makes a short prayer for them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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It is a prayer for spiritual blessings. Two things of the greatest
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importance the apostle prays for:--
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1. That their hearts may be brought into the love of God, to be in love
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with God as the most excellent and amiable Being, the best of all
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beings; and this is not only most reasonable and necessary in order to
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our happiness, but is our happiness itself; it is a great part of the
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happiness of heaven itself, where this love shall be made perfect. We
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can never attain to this unless God by his grace direct our hearts
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aright, for our love is apt to go astray after other things. Note, We
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sustain a great deal of damage by misplacing our affections; it is our
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sin and our misery that we place our affections upon wrong objects. If
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God directs our love aright upon himself, the rest of the affections
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will thereby be rectified.
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2. That a <I>patient waiting for Christ</I> may be joined with this
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love of God. There is no true love of God without faith in Jesus
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Christ. We must wait for Christ, which supposes our faith in him, that
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we believe he came once in flesh and will come again in glory: and we
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must expect this second coming of Christ, and be careful to get ready
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for it; there must be a patient waiting, enduring with courage and
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constancy all that we may meet with in the mean time: and we <I>have
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need of patience,</I> and need of divine grace to exercise Christian
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patience, the <I>patience of Christ</I> (as some read the word),
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patience for Christ's sake and after Christ's example.</P>
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<A NAME="2Th3_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th3_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th3_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th3_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th3_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th3_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th3_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th3_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th3_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Th3_15"> </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>Cautions to the Disorderly.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 52.</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 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus
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Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that
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walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received
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of us.
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7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved
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not ourselves disorderly among you;
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8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought
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with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be
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chargeable to any of you:
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9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an
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ensample unto you to follow us.
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10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that
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if any would not work, neither should he eat.
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11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you
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disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
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12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord
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Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own
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bread.
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13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
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14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that
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man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
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15 Yet count <I>him</I> not as an enemy, but admonish <I>him</I> as a
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brother.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The apostle having commended their obedience for the time past, and
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mentioned his confidence in their obedience for the time to come,
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proceeds to give them commands and directions to some who were faulty,
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correcting some things that were amiss among them. Observe, The best
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society of Christians may have some faulty persons among them, and some
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things that ought to be reformed. Perfection is not to be found on this
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side heaven: but evil manners beget good laws; the disorders that Paul
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heard of as existing among the Thessalonians occasioned the good laws
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we find in these verses, which are of constant use to us, and all
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others whom they may concern. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. That which was amiss among the Thessalonians, which is
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expressed,</P>
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<P>
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1. More generally. There were some who <I>walked disorderly, not after
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the tradition they received</I> from the apostle,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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Some of the brethren were guilty of this disorderly walking; they did
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not live regularly, nor govern themselves according to the rules of
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Christianity, nor agreeably to their profession of religion; not
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according to the precepts delivered by the apostle, which they had
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received, and pretended to pay a regard to. Note, It is required of
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those who have received the gospel, and who profess a subjection to it,
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that they live according to the gospel. If they do not, they are to be
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counted disorderly persons.</P>
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<P>
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2. In particular, there were among them some <I>idle persons and
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busy-bodies,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
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This the apostle was so credibly informed of that he had sufficient
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reason to give commands and directions with relation to such persons,
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how they ought to behave, and how the church should act towards them.
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(1.) There were some among them who were idle, <I>not working at
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all,</I> or doing nothing. It does not appear that they were gluttons
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or drunkards, but idle, and therefore disorderly people. It is not
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enough for any to say they do no hurt; for it is required of all
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persons that they do good in the places and relations in which
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Providence has placed them. It is probable that these persons had a
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notion (by misunderstanding some passages in the former epistle)
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concerning the near approach of the coming of Christ, which served them
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for a pretence to leave off the work of their callings, and live in
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idleness. Note, It is a great error, or abuse of religion, to make it a
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cloak for idleness or any other sin. If we were sure that the day of
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judgment were ever so near, we must, notwithstanding, do the work of
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the day in its day, that when our Lord comes he may find us doing. The
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servant who waits for the coming of his Lord aright must be working as
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his Lord has commanded, that all may be ready when he comes. Or, it may
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be, these disorderly persons pretended that the liberty wherewith
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Christ had made them free discharged them from the services and
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business of their particular callings and employments in the world:
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where as they were <I>to abide in the same calling wherein they were
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called of God, and therein abide with God,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+7:20,24">1 Cor. vii. 20, 24</A>.
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Industry in our particular callings as men is a duty required of us by
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our general calling as Christians. Or perhaps the general charity there
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was then among Christians to their poor brethren encouraged some to
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live in idleness, as knowing the church would maintain them: whatever
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was the cause, they were much to blame.
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(2.) There were busy-bodies among them: and it should seem, by the
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connection, that the same persons who were idle were busy-bodies also.
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This may seem to be a contradiction; but so it is, that most commonly
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those persons who have no business of their own to do, or who neglect
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it, busy themselves in other men's matters. If we are idle, the devil
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and a corrupt heart will soon find us something to do. The mind of man
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is a busy thing; if it be not employed in doing good, it will be doing
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evil. Note, Busy-bodies are disorderly walkers, such as are guilty of
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vain curiosity, and impertinent meddling with things that do not
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concern them, and troubling themselves and others with other men's
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matters. The apostle warns Timothy
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:13">1 Tim. v. 13</A>)
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to beware of such <I>as learn to be idle, wandering about from house to
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house, and are not only idle, but tatlers also, and busy-bodies,
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speaking things which they ought not.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. The good laws which were occasioned by these evil manners,
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concerning which we may take notice,</P>
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<P>
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1. Whose laws they are: they are commands of the apostles of our Lord,
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given in the name of their Lord and ours, that is, the commands of our
|
|
Lord himself. <I>We command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord
|
|
Jesus Christ,</I>
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|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
|
|
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|
Again, <I>We command and exhort you by our Lord Jesus Christ,</I>
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|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
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|
The apostle uses words of authority and entreaty: and, where disorders
|
|
are to be rectified or prevented, there is need of both. The authority
|
|
of Christ should awe our minds to obedience, and his grace and goodness
|
|
should allure us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. What the good laws and rules are. The apostle gives directions to
|
|
the whole church, commands to those disorderly persons, and an
|
|
exhortation to those in particular who did well among them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) His commands and directions to the whole church regard,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Their behaviour towards the disorderly persons who were among
|
|
them, which is thus expressed
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
|
|
|
|
to <I>withdraw themselves from such,</I> and afterwards to <I>mark that
|
|
man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed; yet not to
|
|
count him as an enemy, but to admonish him as a brother.</I> The
|
|
directions of the apostle are carefully to be observed in our conduct
|
|
towards disorderly persons. We must be very cautious in church-censures
|
|
and church-discipline. We must, <I>First,</I> Note that man who is
|
|
suspected or charged with not obeying the word of God, or walking
|
|
contrary thereto, that is, we must have sufficient proof of his fault
|
|
before we proceed further. We must, <I>Secondly,</I> Admonish him in a
|
|
friendly manner; we must put him in mind of his sin, and of his duty;
|
|
and this should be done privately
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+18:15">Matt. xviii. 15</A>);
|
|
|
|
then, if he will not hear, we must, <I>Thirdly,</I> Withdraw from him,
|
|
and not keep company with him, that is, we must avoid familiar converse
|
|
and society with such, for two reasons, namely, that we may not learn
|
|
his evil ways; for he who follows vain and idle persons, and keeps
|
|
company with such, is in danger of becoming like them. Another reason
|
|
is for the shaming, and so the reforming, of those that offend, that
|
|
when idle and disorderly persons see how their loose practices are
|
|
disliked by all wise and good people they may be ashamed of them, and
|
|
walk more orderly. Love therefore to the persons of our offending
|
|
brethren, even when we hate their vices, should be the motive of our
|
|
withdrawing from them; and even those who are under the censures of the
|
|
church must not be accounted as enemies
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>);
|
|
|
|
for, if they be reclaimed and reformed by these censures, they will
|
|
recover their credit and comfort, and right to church-privileges as
|
|
brethren.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Their general conduct and behaviour ought to be according to the
|
|
good example the apostle and those who were with him had given them:
|
|
<I>Yourselves know how you ought to follow us,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those who planted religion among them had set a good example before
|
|
them; and the ministers of the gospel should be ensamples to the flock.
|
|
It is the duty of Christians not only to walk according to the
|
|
traditions of the apostles, and the doctrines they preached, but also
|
|
according to the good example they set before them, <I>to be followers
|
|
of them so far as they were followers of Christ.</I> The particular
|
|
good example the apostle mentions was their diligence, which was so
|
|
different from what was found in the disorderly walkers he takes notice
|
|
of: "<I>We behaved not ourselves disorderly among you</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
we did not spend our time idly, in idle visits, idle talk, idle
|
|
sports." They took pains in their ministry, in preaching the gospel,
|
|
and in getting their own living. <I>Neither did we eat any man's bread
|
|
for nought,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Though he might justly have demanded a maintenance, because those who
|
|
preach the gospel may of right expect to live by the gospel. This is a
|
|
just debt that people owe to their ministers, and the apostle had power
|
|
or authority to have demanded this
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>);
|
|
|
|
but he waived his right from affection to them, and for the sake of the
|
|
gospel, and that he might be an example for them to follow
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
that they might learn how to fill up time, and always be employed in
|
|
something that would turn to good account.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He commands and directs those that live idle lives to reform, and
|
|
set themselves to their business. He had given commandments to this
|
|
purport, as well as a good example of this, when he was among them:
|
|
<I>Even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any man
|
|
would not work neither should he eat,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
It was a proverbial speech among the Jews, <I>He who does not labour
|
|
does not deserve to eat.</I> The labourer is worthy of his meat; but
|
|
what is the loiterer worthy of? It is the will of God that every man
|
|
should have a calling, and mind his calling, and make a business of it,
|
|
and that none should live like useless drones in the world. Such
|
|
persons do what in them lies to defeat the sentence, <I>In the sweat of
|
|
thy face shalt thou eat thy bread.</I> It was not the mere humour of
|
|
the apostle, who was an active stirring man himself and therefore would
|
|
have every body else to be so too, but it was the command of our Lord
|
|
Jesus Christ, that <I>with quietness we work, and eat our own
|
|
bread,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Men ought some way or other to earn their own living, otherwise they do
|
|
not eat their own bread. Observe, There must be work or labour, in
|
|
opposition to idleness; and there must be quietness, in opposition to
|
|
being busy-bodies in other men's matters. We must study to be quiet,
|
|
and do our own business. This is an excellent but rare composition, to
|
|
be of an active yet quiet spirit, active in our own business and yet
|
|
quiet as to other people's.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) He exhorts <I>those that did well not to</I> be <I>weary in
|
|
well-doing</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>);
|
|
|
|
as if he had said, "Go on and prosper. The Lord is with you while you
|
|
are with him. See that whatever you do, that is good, you persevere
|
|
therein. Hold on your way, and hold out to the end. You must never
|
|
give over, nor tire in your work. It will be time enough to rest when
|
|
you come to heaven, that <I>everlasting rest which remains for the
|
|
people of God.</I>"</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Th3_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Th3_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Th3_18"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Apostolic Benediction.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 52.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all
|
|
means. The Lord <I>be</I> with you all.
|
|
17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the
|
|
token in every epistle: so I write.
|
|
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ <I>be</I> with you all. Amen.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In this conclusion of the epistle we have the apostle's benediction and
|
|
prayers for these Thessalonians. Let us desire them for ourselves and
|
|
our friend. There are three blessings pronounced upon them, or desired
|
|
for them:--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. That God would give them peace. Note,
|
|
|
|
1. Peace is the blessing pronounced or desired. By peace we may
|
|
understand all manner of prosperity; here it may signify, in
|
|
particular, peace with God, peace in their own minds and consciences,
|
|
peace among themselves, and peace with all men.
|
|
|
|
2. This peace is desired for them always, or in every thing; and he
|
|
desired they might have all good things at all times.
|
|
|
|
3. Peace by all means: that, as they enjoyed the means of grace, they
|
|
might with success use all the means and methods of peace too; for
|
|
peace is often difficult, as it is always desirable.
|
|
|
|
4. That God would give them peace, who is the Lord of peace. If we have
|
|
any peace that is desirable, God must give it, who is the <I>author of
|
|
peace and lover of concord.</I> We shall neither have peaceable
|
|
dispositions ourselves nor find men disposed to be at peace with us,
|
|
unless the God of peace give us both.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. That the presence of God might be with them: <I>The Lord be with
|
|
you all.</I> We need nothing more to make us safe and happy, nor can we
|
|
desire any thing better for ourselves and our friends, than to have
|
|
God's gracious presence with us and them. This will be a guide and
|
|
guard in every way that we may go, and our comfort in every condition
|
|
we may be in. It is the presence of God that makes heaven to be heaven,
|
|
and this will make this earth to be like heaven. No matter where we are
|
|
if God be with us, nor who is absent if God be with us, nor who is
|
|
absent if God be present with us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. That the <I>grace of our Lord Jesus Christ might be with them.</I>
|
|
So this apostle concluded his first epistle to these Thessalonians; and
|
|
it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that we may
|
|
comfortably hope to have peace with God and enjoy the presence of God,
|
|
for he has made those nigh that were afar off. It is this grace that is
|
|
all in all to make us happy. This is what the apostle admired and
|
|
magnified on all occasions, what he delighted and trusted in; and by
|
|
this salutation or benediction, written with his own hand, as the token
|
|
of every epistle (when the rest was written by an amanuensis), he took
|
|
care lest the churches he wrote to should be imposed on by counterfeit
|
|
epistles, which he knew would be of dangerous consequence.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Let us be thankful that we have the canon of scripture complete, and by
|
|
the wonderful and special care of divine Providence preserved pure and
|
|
uncorrupt through so many successive ages, and not dare to add to it,
|
|
nor diminish from it. Let us believe the divine original of the sacred
|
|
scriptures, and conform our faith and practice to this our sufficient
|
|
and only rule, <I>which is able to make us wise unto salvation, through
|
|
faith which is in Christ Jesus.</I> Amen.</P>
|
|
|
|
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