he 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)
Verses 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.
Verses 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.
Verses 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.
Verses 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
he 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)