he apostle, with others, proved themselves faithful ministers
of Christ, by their unblamable life and behaviour. (1-10) By
affection for them, And by earnest concern, that they might have
no fellowship with unbelievers and idolaters. (11-18)
(1-10 The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The
gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means
of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers of salvation,
and the present time the proper time to accept these offers. The
morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow,
nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a day of grace; then let all
be careful not to neglect it. Ministers of the gospel should
look upon themselves as God's servants, and act in every thing
suitably to that character. The apostle did so, by much patience
in afflictions, by acting from good principles, and by due
temper and behaviour. Believers, in this world, need the grace
of God, to arm them against temptations, so as to bear the good
report of men without pride; and so as to bear their reproaches
with patience. They have nothing in themselves, but possess all
things in Christ. Of such differences is a Christian's life made
up, and through such a variety of conditions and reports, is our
way to heaven; and we should be careful in all things to approve
ourselves to God. The gospel, when faithfully preached, and
fully received, betters the condition even of the poorest. They
save what before they riotously spent, and diligently employ
their time to useful purposes. They save and gain by religion,
and thus are made rich, both for the world to come and for this,
when compared with their sinful, profligate state, before they
received the gospel.
(11-18 It is wrong for believers to join with the wicked and
profane. The word unbeliever applies to all destitute of true
faith. True pastors will caution their beloved children in the
gospel, not to be unequally yoked. The fatal effects of
neglecting Scripture precepts as to marriages clearly appear.
Instead of a help meet, the union brings a snare. Those whose
cross it is to be unequally united, without their wilful fault,
may expect consolation under it; but when believers enter into
such unions, against the express warnings of God's word, they
must expect much distress. The caution also extends to common
conversation. We should not join in friendship and acquaintance
with wicked men and unbelievers. Though we cannot wholly avoid
seeing and hearing, and being with such, yet we should never
choose them for friends. We must not defile ourselves by
converse with those who defile themselves with sin. Come out
from the workers of iniquity, and separate from their vain and
sinful pleasures and pursuits; from all conformity to the
corruptions of this present evil world. If it be an envied
privilege to be the son or daughter of an earthly prince, who
can express the dignity and happiness of being sons and
daughters of the Almighty?
he apostle, with others, proved themselves faithful ministers
of Christ, by their unblamable life and behaviour. (1-10) By
affection for them, And by earnest concern, that they might have
no fellowship with unbelievers and idolaters. (11-18)
(1-10 The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The
gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means
of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers of salvation,
and the present time the proper time to accept these offers. The
morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow,
nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a day of grace; then let all
be careful not to neglect it. Ministers of the gospel should
look upon themselves as God's servants, and act in every thing
suitably to that character. The apostle did so, by much patience
in afflictions, by acting from good principles, and by due
temper and behaviour. Believers, in this world, need the grace
of God, to arm them against temptations, so as to bear the good
report of men without pride; and so as to bear their reproaches
with patience. They have nothing in themselves, but possess all
things in Christ. Of such differences is a Christian's life made
up, and through such a variety of conditions and reports, is our
way to heaven; and we should be careful in all things to approve
ourselves to God. The gospel, when faithfully preached, and
fully received, betters the condition even of the poorest. They
save what before they riotously spent, and diligently employ
their time to useful purposes. They save and gain by religion,
and thus are made rich, both for the world to come and for this,
when compared with their sinful, profligate state, before they
received the gospel.
(11-18 It is wrong for believers to join with the wicked and
profane. The word unbeliever applies to all destitute of true
faith. True pastors will caution their beloved children in the
gospel, not to be unequally yoked. The fatal effects of
neglecting Scripture precepts as to marriages clearly appear.
Instead of a help meet, the union brings a snare. Those whose
cross it is to be unequally united, without their wilful fault,
may expect consolation under it; but when believers enter into
such unions, against the express warnings of God's word, they
must expect much distress. The caution also extends to common
conversation. We should not join in friendship and acquaintance
with wicked men and unbelievers. Though we cannot wholly avoid
seeing and hearing, and being with such, yet we should never
choose them for friends. We must not defile ourselves by
converse with those who defile themselves with sin. Come out
from the workers of iniquity, and separate from their vain and
sinful pleasures and pursuits; from all conformity to the
corruptions of this present evil world. If it be an envied
privilege to be the son or daughter of an earthly prince, who
can express the dignity and happiness of being sons and
daughters of the Almighty?