mh_parser/vol_split/52 - 1Thessalonians/Chapter 1.xml

<div2 id="iTh.ii" n="ii" next="iTh.iii" prev="iTh.i" progress="65.19%" title="Chapter I">
<h2 id="iTh.ii-p0.1">F I R S T   T H E S S A L O N I A N
S.</h2>
<h3 id="iTh.ii-p0.2">CHAP. I.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iTh.ii-p1">After the introduction (<scripRef id="iTh.ii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.1.1" parsed="|1Thess|1|1|0|0" passage="1Th 1:1">ver. 1</scripRef>) the apostle begins with a thanksgiving
to God for the saving benefits bestowed on them, <scripRef id="iTh.ii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.1.2-1Thess.1.5" parsed="|1Thess|1|2|1|5" passage="1Th 1:2-5">ver. 2-5</scripRef>. And then mentions the sure
evidences of the good success of the gospel among them, which was
notorious and famous in several other places, <scripRef id="iTh.ii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.1.6-1Thess.1.10" parsed="|1Thess|1|6|1|10" passage="1Th 1:6-10">ver. 6-10</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iTh.ii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.1.1" parsed="|1Thess|1|1|0|0" passage="1Th 1:1" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Thess.1.1">
<h4 id="iTh.ii-p1.5">Inscription and Apostolical
Salutation. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iTh.ii-p1.6">a.
d.</span> 51.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iTh.ii-p2">1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the
church of the Thessalonians <i>which is</i> in God the Father and
<i>in</i> the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace <i>be</i> unto you, and
peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.ii-p3">In this introduction we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.ii-p4">I. The inscription, where we have, 1. The
persons from whom this epistle came, or by whom it was written.
Paul was the inspired apostle and writer of this epistle, though he
makes no mention of his apostleship, which was not doubted of by
the Thessalonians, nor opposed by any false apostle among them. He
joins Silvanus (or Silas) and Timotheus with himself (who had now
come to him with an account of the prosperity of the churches in
Macedonia), which shows this great apostle's humility, and how
desirous he was to put honour upon the ministers of Christ who were
of an inferior rank and standing. A good example this is to such
ministers as are of greater abilities and reputation in the church
than some others. 2. The persons to whom this epistle is written,
namely, the church of the Thessalonians, the converted Jews and
Gentiles in Thessalonica; and it is observable that this church is
said to <i>be in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ;</i>
they had fellowship with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ,
<scripRef id="iTh.ii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1John.1.3" parsed="|1John|1|3|0|0" passage="1Jo 1:3">1 John i. 3</scripRef>. They were a
Christian church, because they believed in God the Father and in
the Lord Jesus Christ. They believed the principles both of natural
and revealed religion. The Gentiles among them were turned to God
from idols, and the Jews among them believed Jesus to be the
promised Messias. All of them were devoted and dedicated to God the
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: to God as their chief good and
highest end, to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Mediator between God
and man. God the Father is the original centre of all natural
religion; and Jesus Christ is the author and centre of all revealed
religion. <i>You believe in God,</i> says our Saviour, <i>believe
also in me.</i> <scripRef id="iTh.ii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:John.14.1" parsed="|John|14|1|0|0" passage="Joh 14:1">John xiv.
1</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.ii-p5">II. The salutation or apostolical
benediction: <i>Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.</i> This is the same for substance as in
the other epistles. Grace and peace are well joined together; for
the free grace or favour of God is the spring or fountain of all
the peace and prosperity we do or can enjoy; and where there are
gracious dispositions in us we may hope for peaceful thoughts in
our own breasts; both grace and peace, and all spiritual blessings,
come to us from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; from God
the original of all good, and from the Lord Jesus the purchaser of
all good for us; from God in Christ, and so our Father in covenant,
because he is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Note, As
all good comes from God, so no good can be hoped for by sinners but
from God in Christ. And the best good may be expected from God as
our Father for the sake of Christ.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iTh.ii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.1.2-1Thess.1.5" parsed="|1Thess|1|2|1|5" passage="1Th 1:2-5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Thess.1.2-1Thess.1.5">
<h4 id="iTh.ii-p5.2">Thanksgiving to God. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iTh.ii-p5.3">a.
d.</span> 51.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iTh.ii-p6">2 We give thanks to God always for you all,
making mention of you in our prayers;   3 Remembering without
ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of
hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
  4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.   5
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power,
and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what
manner of men we were among you for your sake.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.ii-p7">I. The apostle begins with thanksgiving to
God. Being about to mention the things that were matter of joy to
him, and highly praiseworthy in them, and greatly for their
advantage, he chooses to do this by way of thanksgiving to God, who
is the author of all that good that comes to us, or is done by us,
at any time. God is the object of all religious worship, of prayer
and praise. And thanksgiving to God is a great duty, to be
performed always or constantly; even when we do not actually give
thanks to God by our words, we should have a grateful sense of
God's goodness upon our minds. Thanksgiving should be often
repeated; and not only should we be thankful for the favours we
ourselves receive, but for the benefits bestowed on others also,
upon our fellow-creatures and fellow-christians. The apostle gave
thanks not only for those who were his most intimate friends, or
most eminently favoured of God, but for them all.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.ii-p8">II. He joined prayer with his praise or
thanksgiving. When we in every thing by prayer and supplication
make our requests known to God, we should join thanksgiving
therewith, <scripRef id="iTh.ii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.6" parsed="|Phil|4|6|0|0" passage="Php 4:6">Phil. iv. 6</scripRef>. So
when we give thanks for any benefit we receive we should join
prayer. We should pray always and without ceasing, and should pray
not only for ourselves, but for others also, for our friends, and
should make mention of them in our prayers. We may sometimes
mention their names, and should make mention of their case and
condition; at least, we should have their persons and circumstances
in our minds, remembering them without ceasing. Note, As there is
much that we ought to be thankful for on the behalf of ourselves
and our friends, so there is much occasion of constant prayer for
further supplies of good.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.ii-p9">III. He mentions the particulars for which
he was so thankful to God; namely,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.ii-p10">1. The saving benefits bestowed on them.
These were the grounds and reasons of his thanksgiving. (1.) Their
faith and their work of faith. Their faith he tells them (<scripRef id="iTh.ii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.1.8" parsed="|1Thess|1|8|0|0" passage="1Th 1:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>) was very famous, and
spread abroad. This is the radical grace; and their faith was a
true and living faith, because a working faith. Note, Wherever
there is a true faith, it will work: it will have an influence upon
heart and life; it will put us upon working for God and for our own
salvation. We have comfort in our own faith and the faith of others
when we perceive the work of faith. <i>Show me thy faith by thy
works,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.ii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Jas.2.18" parsed="|Jas|2|18|0|0" passage="Jam 2:18">Jam. ii. 18</scripRef>.
(2.) Their love and labour of love. Love is one of the cardinal
graces; it is of great use to us in this life and will remain and
be perfected in the life to come. <i>Faith works by love;</i> it
shows itself in the exercise of love to God and love to our
neighbour; as love will show itself by labour, it will put us upon
taking pains in religion. (3.) Their hope and the patience of hope.
<i>We are saved by hope.</i> This grace is compared to the
soldier's helmet and sailor's anchor, and is of great use in times
of danger. Wherever there is a well-grounded hope of eternal life,
it will appear by the exercise of patience; in a patient bearing of
the calamities of the present time and a patient waiting for the
glory to be revealed. <i>For, if we hope for that we see not, then
do we with patience wait for it,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.ii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.25" parsed="|Rom|8|25|0|0" passage="Ro 8:25">Rom. viii. 25</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.ii-p11">2. The apostle not only mentions these
three cardinal graces, faith, hope and love, but also takes notice,
(1.) Of the object and efficient cause of these graces, namely, our
Lord Jesus Christ. (2.) Of the sincerity of them: being in the
<i>sight of God even our Father.</i> The great motive to sincerity
is the apprehension of God's eye as always upon us; and it is a
sign of sincerity when in all we do we endeavour to approve
ourselves to God, and that is right which is so in the sight of
God. Then is the work of faith, or labour of love, or patience of
hope, sincere, when it is done under the eye of God. (3.) He
mentions the fountain whence these graces flow, namely, God's
electing love: <i>Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of
God,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.ii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.1.4" parsed="|1Thess|1|4|0|0" passage="1Th 1:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. Thus
he runs up these streams to the fountain, and that was God's
eternal election. Some by their election of God would understand
only the temporary separation of the Thessalonians from the
unbelieving Jews and Gentiles in their conversion; but this was
according to the <i>eternal purpose of him who worketh all things
according to the counsel of his own will,</i> <scripRef id="iTh.ii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Eph.1.11" parsed="|Eph|1|11|0|0" passage="Eph 1:11">Eph. i. 11</scripRef>. Speaking of their election, he
calls them, <i>brethren beloved;</i> for the original of the
brotherhood that is between Christians and the relation wherein
they stand one to another is election. And it is a good reason why
we should <i>love one another,</i> because we are all beloved of
God, and were beloved of him in his counsels when there was not any
thing in us to merit his love. The election of these Thessalonians
was known to the apostles, and therefore might be known to
themselves, and that by the fruits and effects thereof—their
sincere faith, and hope, and love, by the successful preaching of
the gospel among them. Observe, [1.] All those who in the fulness
of time are effectually called and sanctified were from eternity
elected and chosen to salvation. [2.] The election of God is of his
own good pleasure and mere grace, not for the sake of any merit in
those who are chosen. [3.] The election of God may be known by the
fruits thereof. [4.] Whenever we are giving thanks to God for his
grace either to ourselves or others, we should run up the streams
to the fountain, and give thanks to God for his electing love, by
which we are made to differ.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.ii-p12">3. Another ground or reason of the
apostle's thanksgiving is the success of his ministry among them.
He was thankful on his own account as well as theirs, that he had
not laboured in vain. He had the seal and evidence of his
apostleship hereby, and great encouragement in his labours and
sufferings. Their ready acceptance and entertainment of the gospel
he preached to them were an evidence of their being elected and
beloved of God. It was in this way that he knew their election. It
is true he had been in the third heavens; but he had not searched
the records of eternity, and found their election there, but knew
this by the success of the gospel among them (<scripRef id="iTh.ii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.1.5" parsed="|1Thess|1|5|0|0" passage="1Th 1:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), and he takes notice with
thankfulness, (1.) That the gospel came to them also not in word
only, but in power; they not only heard the sound of it, but
submitted to the power of it. It did not merely tickle the ear and
please the fancy, not merely fill their heads with notions and
amuse their minds for awhile, but it affected their hearts: a
divine power went along with it for convincing their consciences
and amending their lives. Note, By this we may know our election,
if we not only speak of the things of God by rote as parrots, but
feel the influence of these things in our hearts, mortifying our
lusts, weaning us from the world, and raising us up to heavenly
things. (2.) It came in the Holy Ghost, that is, with the powerful
energy of the divine Spirit. Note, Wherever the gospel comes in
power, it is to be attributed to the operation of the Holy Ghost;
and unless the Spirit of God accompany the word of God, to render
it effectual by his power, it will be to us but as a dead letter;
and the letter killeth, it is the Spirit that giveth life. (3.) The
gospel came to them in much assurance. Thus did they entertain it
by the power of the Holy Ghost. They were fully convinced of the
truth of it, so as not to be easily shaken in mind by objections
and doubts; they were willing to leave all for Christ, and to
venture their souls and everlasting condition upon the verity of
the gospel revelation. The word was not to them, like the
sentiments of some philosophers about matters of opinion and
doubtful speculation, but the object of their faith and assurance.
Their <i>faith was the evidence of things not seen;</i> and the
Thessalonians thus knew what manner of men the apostle and his
fellow-labourers were among them, and what they did for their sake,
and with what good success.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iTh.ii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.1.6-1Thess.1.10" parsed="|1Thess|1|6|1|10" passage="1Th 1:6-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Thess.1.6-1Thess.1.10">
<h4 id="iTh.ii-p12.3">Evidence of the Apostle's
Success. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iTh.ii-p12.4">a.
d.</span> 51.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iTh.ii-p13">6 And ye became followers of us, and of the
Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the
Holy Ghost:   7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe
in Macedonia and Achaia.   8 For from you sounded out the word
of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every
place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not
to speak any thing.   9 For they themselves show of us what
manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God
from idols to serve the living and true God;   10 And to wait
for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, <i>even</i>
Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.ii-p14">In these words we have the evidence of the
apostle's success among the Thessalonians, which was notorious and
famous in several places. For,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.ii-p15">I. They were careful in their holy
conversation to imitate the good examples of the apostles and
ministers of Christ, <scripRef id="iTh.ii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.1.6" parsed="|1Thess|1|6|0|0" passage="1Th 1:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>. As the apostle took care to demean himself well, not
only for his own credit's sake, but for the benefit of others, by a
conversation suitable to his doctrine, that he might not pull down
with one hand what he built up with the other, so the
Thessalonians, who observed what manner of men they were among
them, how their preaching and living were all of a piece, showed a
conscientious care to be followers of them, or to imitate their
good example. Herein they became also followers of the Lord, who is
the perfect example we must strive to imitate; and we should be
followers of others no further than they are followers of Christ,
<scripRef id="iTh.ii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.11.1" parsed="|1Cor|11|1|0|0" passage="1Co 11:1">1 Co. xi. 1</scripRef>. The
Thessalonians acted thus, notwithstanding their affliction, that
much affliction which the apostles and themselves also were exposed
to. They were willing to share in the sufferings that attended the
embracing and professing of Christianity. They entertained the
gospel, notwithstanding the troubles and hardships which attended
the preachers and professors of it too. Perhaps this made the word
more precious, being dear—bought; and the examples of the apostles
shone very bright under their afflictions; so that the
Thessalonians embraced the word cheerfully, and followed the
example of the suffering apostles joyfully, <i>with joy in the Holy
Ghost</i>—such solid and spiritual and lasting joy as the Holy
Ghost is the author of, who, when our afflictions abound, makes our
consolations much more to abound.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.ii-p16">II. Their zeal prevailed to such a degree
that they were themselves examples to all about them, <scripRef id="iTh.ii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.1.7-1Thess.1.8" parsed="|1Thess|1|7|1|8" passage="1Th 1:7,8"><i>v.</i> 7, 8</scripRef>. Observe here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.ii-p17">1. Their example was very effectual to make
good impressions upon many others. They were
<b><i>typoi</i></b>—<i>stamps,</i> or instruments to make
impression with. They had themselves received good impressions from
the preaching and conversation of the apostles, and they made good
impressions, and their conversation had an influence upon others.
Note, Christians should be so good as by their example to influence
others.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.ii-p18">2. It was very extensive, and reached
beyond the confines of Thessalonica, even to the believers of all
Macedonia, and further, in Achaia; the Philippians, and others who
received the gospel before the Thessalonians, were edified by their
example. Note, Some who were last hired into the vineyard may
sometimes outstrip those who come in before them, and become
examples to them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iTh.ii-p19">3. It was very famous. The word of the
Lord, or its wonderful effects upon the Thessalonians, sounded, or
was famous and well known, in the regions round about that city,
and <i>in every place;</i> not strictly every where, but here and
there, up and down in the world: so that, from the good success of
the gospel among them, many others were encouraged to entertain it,
and to be willing, when called, to suffer for it. Their faith was
spread abroad. (1.) The readiness of their faith was famed abroad.
These Thessalonians embraced the gospel as soon as it was preached
to them; so that every body took notice what manner of entering in
among them the apostles had, that there were no such delays as at
Philippi, where it was a great while before much good was done.
(2.) The effects of their faith were famous. [1.] They quitted
their idolatry; they turned from their idols, and abandoned all the
false worship they had been educated in. [2.] They gave themselves
up to God, to the living and true God, and devoted themselves to
his service. [3.] They set themselves to wait for the Son of God
from heaven, <scripRef id="iTh.ii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.1.10" parsed="|1Thess|1|10|0|0" passage="1Th 1:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>.
And this is one of the peculiarities of our holy religion, to wait
for Christ's second coming, as those who believe he will come and
hope he will come to our joy. The believers under the Old Testament
waited for the coming of the Messiah, and believers now wait for
his second coming; he is yet to come. And there is good reason to
believe he will come, because God has raised him from the dead,
which is full assurance unto all men that he will come to judgment,
<scripRef id="iTh.ii-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.17.31" parsed="|Acts|17|31|0|0" passage="Ac 17:31">Acts xvii. 31</scripRef>. And there is
good reason to hope and wait for his coming, because he has
delivered us from the wrath to come. He came to purchase salvation,
and will, when he comes again, bring salvation with him, full and
final deliverance from sin, and death, and hell, from that wrath
which is yet to come upon unbelievers, and which, when it has once
come, will be yet to come, because it is <i>everlasting fire</i>
prepared for the devil and his angels, <scripRef id="iTh.ii-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.25.41" parsed="|Matt|25|41|0|0" passage="Mt 25:41">Mt. xxv. 41</scripRef>.</p>
</div></div2>