1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5, verses 9-13, 24-28
1 He proceedeth in the former description of Christ's coming to judgment, 16 and giveth diverse precepts, 23 and so concludeth the epistleComments:
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11
11:26 The last state of that man becometh worse than the first - Whoever reads the sad account Josephus gives of the temple andconduct of the Jews, after the ascension of Christ and before their final destruction by the Romans, must acknowledge that no emblem could have been more proper to describe them. Their characters were the vilest that can be conceived, and they pressed on to their own ruin, as if they had been possessed by legions of devils, and wrought up to the last degree of madness. But this also is fulfilled in all who totally and finally apostatize from true faith.
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5
5:9 God hath not appointed us to wrath - As he hath the obstinately impenitent.
5:10 Whether we wake or sleep - Be alive or dead at his coming.
5:12 Know them that,
- Labour among you:
- Are over you in the Lord:
- Admonish you.
Know - See, mark, take knowledge of them and their work. Sometimes the same person may both labour, that is, preach; be over, or govern; and admonish the flock by particular application to each: sometimes two or more different persons, according as God variously dispenses his gifts. But O, what a misery is it when a man undertakes this whole work without either gifts or graces for any part of it! Why, then, will he undertake it? for pay?What! will he sell both his own soul and all the souls of the flock? What words can describe such a wretch as this? And yet even this may be "an honourable man!"5:13 Esteem them very highly - Literally, more than abundantly, in love - The inexpressible sympathy that is between true pastors and their flock is intimated, not only here, but also in divers other places of this epistle.See Th1 2:7-8.For their work's sake - The principal ground of their vast regard for them. But how are we to esteem them who do not work at all?