2 Thessalonians 1

Notes

Ver. 1. Paul, an inspired messenger of Christ, and Silas and Timothy, his assistants in planting the gospel among you, to those in Thessalonica who have been graciously turned from heathen idols to the true and living God, and to Jesus Christ as the only true Messiah; 2. Again earnestly wish that the divine favour, in all its manifestations and effects, and all manner of spiritual peace and prosperity, may abound to all and every one of you, from God as the fountain, and through Christ as the compassionate dispenser thereof. 3. Reflecting upon what we have further heard of the remarkable increase of your faith towards God and love towards one another, we find ourselves sweetly constrained solemnly and daily to thank God for the marvellous influences of his grace on your hearts, by which these and all other graces are maintained and improved. 4. And in all the churches of Christ whither we come, with the highest esteem, honour, and delight, we make mention of your firmness of mind, calm submission, holy resolution, strong and lively faith, and steadfast adherence to Christ and the gospel, under all the persecutions and afflictions which have all along attended you for his sake; 5. Which is a manifest token that God has appointed a future, just, and impartial judgment of the world, which will set all things to rights, and in which he will adjudge you to that heavenly kingdom for the honour of which, and in hope of the enjoyment of which, ye so cheerfully suffer; 6. Since it cannot but be agreeable to God's righteous nature, will, law, and government, that in due time severe punishment be inflicted upon those that unjustly vex, distress, and cruelly persecute you on account of your adherence to the truth of the gospel; 7, 8. And that, in and through Christ, he should give you and us, who are persecuted for his cause, a release from our present tribulations, and an entrance into a state of perfect rest and peace; when our Lord Jesus, who has redeemed us to God by his own precious blood, shall, in the most public and awful manner, attended by all his millions of mighty and holy angels, appear in the clouds at the last day, cate our everlasting God of all grace, that, by the them, Jews or Gentiles, who continue in their sins, strangers to the true knowledge of God, and rebellious against the light of nature; or who continue to disobey, reject, and contemn the gracious calls of our Lord Jesus Christ in the gospel: 9. Both which sorts of sinners shall then begin to be punished with an everlasting loss of and banishment from his blissful presence, and all the glorious effects of his saving power, and an eternal suffering of the most inexpressible remorse in their souls because it shall then appear that the day of repentance and opportunity is past; 10. At the very time in which he will appear, to your joy, to glorify himself in the full performance of all his promises, in the complete salvation of all his believing ones; and to be glorified and adored by them who by faith cordially embrace the testimony of the gospel preached by us—in thankful and everlasting wonder at the riches of his grace, and the great things he has done for them. 11. In reflection upon these important events, and in hopes of your escaping the terrors and sharing the joys thereof, we daily and earnestly suppli- to adjudge the reward of their doings upon all almighty operation of his Spirit, he would gradually fulfil all his promises, and perfect your faith and other graces, and all the fruits of good works proceeding therefrom, and thus make you meet for the full enjoyment of that heavenly inheritance to which ye are called by the gospel. 12. That so the person, authority, and doctrine of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be exalted, in their happy effects upon you, and in your high esteem thereof and holy conversation answerable thereto; and that, by virtue of your union with him, ye may arrive at the most glorious state of perfect joy and praise, according to the free favour and grace of God, who has called you to it, and of Jesus Christ, who has secured and promised, and will bestow it upon you.

Ver. 5. The meaning seems to be this:—Admitting, as all men do, that God is a righteous Judge, he must therefore, at some time, render to every man according to his works. To you he has assigned present persecutions, but has therewith given you grace as the foretaste and token of rest and glory; to your persecutors he has given present power, but as they will they are given over to Satan's temptation, their own evil passions, and the torments of an evil conscience—a punishment already begun in time as a 'manifest token' that it will be continued in eternity. C.

Reflections.—Happy is the state of believers in God through Christ; and rich and abundant the mercies that flow from both to them. There is great ground of thankfulness when the faith, love, and patience of Christians grow exceedingly, even under great tribulation and cruel persecution, And why should saints fret at their present troubles, when the last judgment will so quickly set everything right! Awfully tremendous, but infinitely glorious, will be that appearance of our Redeemer! Fearful is the work he will then and through eternity make on obstinate sinners, especially such as rebelled against the clear light, and refused the precious blessings of the gospel. But delightfully will he glorify himself in the public honours and eternal salvation of his saints. And there is need of prayers, care, and diligence on their side, and of the work of the Spirit on his, to prepare them for that grand event.—My soul, wait and long for thy coming, thy quickly-coming Redeemer! Rejoice in hopes of thy eternal nearness to, vision, and admiration of him! Rejoice that thy worthiness lies in his righteousness and riches of grace, and in your holding by faith to the truth as it is in Christ!