2 Thessalonians, Chapter 2, verses 13-17
8 and a discovery of Antichrist, before the day of the Lord come, 15 and thereupon repeateth his former exhortation, and prayeth for them2 Thessalonians, Chapter 3, verses 1-5
1 He craveth their prayers for himself, 3 testifieth what confidence he hath in them, 5 maketh request to God in their behalf16
16:1 And he said also to his disciples - Not only to the scribesand Pharisees to whom he had hitherto been speaking, but to all the younger as well as the elder brethren: to the returning prodigals who were now his disciples. A certain rich man had a steward - Christ here teaches all that are now in favour with God, particularly pardoned penitents, to behave wisely in what is committed to them.
16:3 To beg I am ashamed - But not ashamed to cheat! This was likewise a sense of honour! "By men called honour, but by angels pride."
16:4 I know - That is, I am resolved, what to do.
16:8 And the lord commended the unjust steward - Namely, in this respect, because he had used timely precaution: so that though the dishonesty of such a servant be detestable, yet his foresight, care, and contrivance, about the interests of this life, deserve our imitation, with regard to the more important affairs of another. The children of this world - Those who seek no other portion than this world: Are wiser - Not absolutely, for they are, one and all, egregious fools; but they are more consistent with themselves; they are truer to their principles; they more steadily pursue their end; they are wiser in their generation - That is, in their own way, than the children of light - The children of God, whose light shines on their hearts.
16:9 And I say to you - Be good stewards even of the lowest talents wherewith God hath intrusted you. Mammon means riches or money.It is termed the mammon of unrighteousness, because of the manner wherein it is commonly either procured or employed. Make yourselves friends of this, by doing all possible good, particularly to the children of God: that when ye fail, when your flesh and your heart faileth, when this earthly tabernacle is dissolved, those of them who have gone before may receive, may welcome you into the everlasting habitations.
2
2:13 God hath from the beginning - Of your hearing the gospel. Chosen you to salvation - Taken you out of the world, and placed you in the way to glory.
2:14 To which - Faith and holiness. He hath called you by our gospel - That which we preached, accompanied with the power of his Spirit.
2:15 Hold - Without adding to, or diminishing from, the traditions which ye have been taught - The truths which I have delivered to you. Whether by word or by our epistle - He preached before he wrote. And he had written concerningthis in his former epistle.
3
3:1 May run - Go on swiftly, without any interruption. And be glorified - Acknowledged as divine, and bring forth much fruit.
3:2 All men have not faith - And all men who have not are more or less unreasonable and wicked men.
3:3 Who will stablish you - That cleave to him by faith.And guard you from the evil one - And all his instruments.
3:4 We trust in the Lord concerning you - Thus only should we trust in any man.
3:5 Now the Lord - The Spirit, whose proper work this is.Direct - Lead you straight forward. Into the patience of Christ - Of which he set you a pattern.