BibleWare/BibWare.bin/bibref/mhc.exe/1TH.TXT

Text File | 1996-06-12 | 19KB | 332 lines

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** This epistle is generally considered to have been the first
of those written by St. Paul. The occasion seems to have been
the good report of the stedfastness of the church at
Thessalonica in the faith of the gospel. It is full of affection
and confidence, and more consolatory and practical, and less
doctrinal, than some of the other epistles.

* The faith, love, and patience of the Thessalonians, are
evident tokens of their election which was manifested in the
power with which the gospel came to them. (1-5) Its powerful and
exemplary effects upon their hearts and lives. (6-10)

#1-5 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. We
should pray, not only for ourselves, but for others also;
remembering them without ceasing. Wherever there is a true
faith, it will work; it will affect both the heart and life.
Faith works by love; it shows itself in love to God, and love to
our neighbour. And wherever there is a well-grounded hope of
eternal life, this will appear by the exercise of patience; and
it is a sign of sincerity, when in all we do, we seek to approve
ourselves to God. By this we may know our election, if we not
only speak of the things of God with out lips, but feel their
power in our hearts, mortifying our lusts, weaning us from the
world, and raising us up to heavenly things. Unless the Spirit
of God comes with the word of God, it will be to us a dead
letter. Thus they entertained it by the power of the Holy Ghost.
They were fully convinced of the truth of it, so as not to be
shaken in mind by objections and doubts; and they were willing
to leave all for Christ, and to venture their souls and
everlasting condition upon the truth of the gospel revelation.

#6-10 When careless, ignorant, and immoral persons are turned
from their carnal pursuits and connexions, to believe in and
obey the Lord Jesus, to live soberly, righteously, and godly,
the matter speaks for itself. 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 God had
raised him from the dead, which is a full assurance unto all men
that he will come to judgment. He came to purchase salvation,
and will, when he comes again, bring salvation with him, full
and final deliverance from that wrath which is yet to come. Let
all, without delay, flee from the wrath to come, and seek refuge
in Christ and his salvation.
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* The apostle reminds the Thessalonians of his preaching and
behaviour. (1-12) And of their receiving the gospel as the word
of God. (13-16) His joy on their account. (17-20)

#1-6 The apostle had no wordly design in his preaching.
Suffering in a good cause should sharpen holy resolution. The
gospel of Christ at first met with much opposition; and it was
preached with contention, with striving in preaching, and
against opposition. And as the matter of the apostle's
exhortation was true and pure, the manner of his speaking was
without guile. The gospel of Christ is designed for mortifying
corrupt affections, and that men may be brought under the power
of faith. This is the great motive to sincerity, to consider
that God not only sees all we do, but knows our thoughts afar
off, and searches the heart. And it is from this God who trieth
our hearts, that we must receive our reward. The evidences of
the apostle's sincerity were, that he avoided flattery and
covetousness. He avoided ambition and vain-glory.

#7-12 Mildness and tenderness greatly recommend religion, and
are most conformable to God's gracious dealing with sinners, in
and by the gospel. This is the way to win people. We should not
only be faithful to our calling as Christians, but in our
particular callings and relations. Our great gospel privilege
is, that God has called us to his kingdom and glory. The great
gospel duty is, that we walk worthy of God. We should live as
becomes those called with such a high and holy calling. Our
great business is to honour, serve, and please God, and to seek
to be worthy of him.

#13-16 We should receive the word of God with affections
suitable to its holiness, wisdom, truth, and goodness. The words
of men are frail and perishing, like themselves, and sometimes
false, foolish, and fickle; but God's word is holy, wise, just,
and faithful. Let us receive and regard it accordingly. The word
wrought in them, to make them examples to others in faith and
good works, and in patience under sufferings, and in trials for
the sake of the gospel. Murder and persecution are hateful to
God, and no zeal for any thing in religion can excuse it.
Nothing tends more to any person or people's filling up the
measure of their sins, than opposing the gospel, and hindering
the salvation of souls. The pure gospel of Christ is abhorred by
many, and the faithful preaching of it is hindered in many ways.
But those who forbid the preaching it to sinners, to men dead in
sin, do not by this please God. Those have cruel hearts, and are
enemies to the glory of God, and to the salvation of his people,
who deny them the Bible.

#17-20 This world is not a place where we are to be always, or
long together. In heaven holy souls shall meet, and never part
more. And though the apostle could not come to them yet, and
thought he might never be able to come, yet our Lord Jesus
Christ will come; nothing shall hinder that. May God give
faithful ministers to all who serve him with their spirit in the
gospel of his Son, and send them to all who are in darkness
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* The apostle sent Timothy to establish and comfort the
Thessalonians (1-5) He rejoiced at the good tidings of their
faith and love. (6-10) And for their increase in grace. (11-13)

#1-5 The more we find pleasure in the ways of God, the more we
shall desire to persevere therein. The apostle's design was to
establish and comfort the Thessalonians as to the object of
their faith, that Jesus Christ was the Saviour of the world; and
as to the recompence of faith, which was more than enough to
make up all their losses, and to reward all their labours. But
he feared his labours would be in vain. If the devil cannot
hinder ministers from labouring in the word and doctrine, he
will, if possible, hinder the success of their labours. No one
would willingly labour in vain. It is the will and purpose of
God, that we enter into his kingdom through many afflictions.
And the apostles, far from flattering people with the
expectation of worldly prosperity in religion, told them plainly
they must count upon trouble in the flesh. Herein they followed
the example of their great Master, the Author of our faith.
Christians were in danger, and they should be forewarned; they
will thus be kept from being improved by any devices of the
tempter.

#6-10 Thankfulness to God is very imperfect in the present
state; but one great end of the ministry of the word is to help
faith forward. That which was the instrument to obtain faith, is
also the means of increasing and confirming it, namely, the
ordinances of God; and as faith cometh by hearing, so it is
confirmed by hearing also.

#11-13 Prayer is religious worship, and all religious worship is
due unto God only. Prayer is to be offered to God as our Father.
Prayer is not only to be offered in the name of Christ, but
offered up to Christ himself, as our Lord and our Saviour. Let
us acknowledge God in all our ways, and he will direct our
paths. Mutual love is required of all Christians. And love is of
God, and is fulfilling the gospel as well as the law. We need
the Spirit's influences in order to our growth in grace; and the
way to obtain them, is prayer. Holiness is required of all who
would go to heaven; and we must act so that we do not contradict
the profession we make of holiness. The Lord Jesus will
certainly come in his glory; his saints will come with him. Then
the excellence as well as the necessity of holiness will appear;