Notes on First
Thessalonians
From the Original 1599 Geneva Bible
Notes
1Th 1:2
1:2 {1} We give thanks to God always
for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
(1) An example of proper Christian
rejoicing, by which also we learn, that those who have great gifts in them,
are in two ways governed: first, if they consider that they have received
all from God, and second, that continuance must be desired at his hands. And
to these things this whole epistle exhorts the Thessalonians.
1Th 1:3
1:3 {2} Remembering without ceasing
your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus
Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
(2) He commends them for three
special gifts: effectual faith, continual love, and patient hope. And he
does this to the end that they might be ashamed, being endued with such
excellent gifts, not to continue in God's election.
1Th 1:4
1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your {a}
election of God.
(a) Literally, "that your election
is of God".
1Th 1:5
1:5 {3} For our gospel came not unto
you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in {b} much
assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your
sake.
(3) Another reason why they ought in
no way start back but continue to the end, because they cannot doubt this
doctrine which has been so many ways confirmed to them, even from heaven, as
they themselves well knew.
(b) Paul shows by two things that there
followed very great fruit from his preaching, that is, by these gifts of the
Holy Spirit, and that certain assurance which was thoroughly settled in
their minds, as appeared by their willingly bearing the cross.
1Th 1:6
1:6 {4} And ye became followers of us,
and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with {c} joy of
the Holy Ghost:
(4) Another reason, because even to
that day they embraced the Gospel with great cheerfulness, insomuch that
they were an example to all their neighbours: so that it would be more
shameful for them to faint in the middle of the race.
(c) With joy which
comes from the Holy Spirit.
1Th 1:9
1:9 For {d} they themselves shew of us
what manner of entering in we had unto you, {5} and how ye turned to God from
idols to serve the living and true God;
(d) All the believers.
(5) It is
no true conversion to forsake idols, unless a man in addition worships the
true and living God in Christ the only Redeemer.
1Th 1:10
1:10 And to wait for his Son from
heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, which delivered us from
{e} the wrath to come.
(e) This word "the" is not put here
without reason: and by "wrath" is meant that revenge and punishment with
which the Lord will in time judge the world in his terrible wrath.
1Th 2:1
2:1 For {1} yourselves, brethren, know
our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
(1) That which he mentioned before
briefly concerning his apostleship, he handles now more at large, and to
that end and purpose which we spoke of.
1Th 2:2
2:2 {2} But even after that we had
suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we
were bold in {a} our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much
contention.
(2) The virtues of a true pastor are
freely without fear to preach the Gospel, even in the midst of
dangers.
(a) Through God's gracious help.
1Th 2:3
2:3 {3} For our exhortation [was] not
of deceit, nor of {b} uncleanness, nor in guile:
(3) To teach pure doctrine
faithfully and with a pure heart.
(b) By any wicked and evil type of
dealing.
1Th 2:4
2:4 {4} But as we were {c} allowed of
God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men,
but God, which {d} trieth our hearts.
(4) To approve his conscience to
God, being free from all flattery and covetousness.
(c) There is this
difference between the judgments of God and the judgments of men, that when
men choose, they give regard to the qualities of those things which stand
before them, but God finds the reason of his counsel only in himself.
Therefore, it follows that seeing as we are not able to think a good
thought, that whoever he first chooses to those callings, he does not find
them able but indeed makes them able. And therefore in that we are empowered
of God, it depends upon his mercy.
(d) Who approves and allows
them.
1Th 2:6
2:6 {5} Nor of men sought we glory,
neither of you, nor [yet] of others, when we might have been {e} burdensome,
as the apostles of Christ.
(5) To submit himself even to the
basest, to win them, and to avoid all pride.
(e) When I might lawfully
have lived upon the expenses of the churches.
1Th 2:7
2:7 But we were {f} gentle among you,
even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
(f) We were rough, and yet easy and
gentle as a nurse that is neither seeking glory, nor covetous, but who takes
all pains as patiently as if she were a mother.
1Th 2:8
2:8 {6} So being affectionately
desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of
God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto
us.
(6) To consider the flock that is
committed to him as more important than his own life.
1Th 2:9
2:9 {7} For ye remember, brethren, our
labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be
chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of
God.
(7) To let go of his own rights,
rather than to be a cost to his sheep.
1Th 2:10
2:10 {8} Ye [are] witnesses, and God
[also], how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you
that believe:
(8) To excel others in the example
of a godly life.
1Th 2:11
2:11 {9} As ye know how we exhorted and
comforted and charged every one of you, as a father [doth] his
children,
(9) To exhort and comfort with a
fatherly mind and affection.
1Th 2:12
2:12 {10} That ye would walk worthy of
God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
(10) To exhort all men diligently
and earnestly to lead a godly life.
1Th 2:13
2:13 {11} For this cause also thank we
God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard
of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the
word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that
believe.
(11) Having approved his ministry,
he commends again (to that end and purpose that I spoke of) the cheerfulness
of the Thessalonians which was due to his diligence in preaching, and their
brave patience.
1Th 2:14
2:14 {12} For ye, brethren, became
followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in {g} Christ Jesus: for
ye also have suffered like things of your own {h} countrymen, even as they
[have] of the Jews:
(12) He strengthens and encourages
them in their afflictions which they suffered among their own people,
because they were afflicted by their own countrymen. And this happened, he
says, to the churches of the Jews, as well as to them: and therefore they
ought to take it in good part.
(g) Which Christ has gathered
together.
(h) Even from those who are from the same country and the same
town that you are from.
1Th 2:15
2:15 {13} Who both killed the Lord
Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; {14} and they please
not God, and are contrary to {i} all men:
(13) He prevents an offence which
might be taken, because the Jews especially above all others persecuted the
Gospel. That is no new thing, he says, seeing that they slew Christ himself,
and his Prophets, and have banished me also.
(14) He foretells the utter
destruction of the Jews, lest any man should be moved by their
rebellion.
(i) For the Jews would neither enter into the kingdom of God
themselves, nor allow others to enter in.
1Th 2:16
2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the
Gentiles that they might be saved, to {k} fill up their sins alway: for the
{l} wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
(k) Until that wickedness of theirs
which they have by inheritance as it were of their fathers, has grown so
great, that the measure of their iniquity being filled, God may come forth
to wrath.
(l) The judgment of God who was angry, which indeed appeared
shortly after in the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, where many fled
even out of various provinces, when it was besieged.
1Th 2:17
2:17 {15} But we, brethren, {m} being
taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the
more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
(15) He meets with an objection, why
he did not come to them immediately, being in such great misery: I often
desired to, he says, and I was not able, but Satan hindered my endeavours,
and therefore I sent Timothy my faithful companion to you, because you are
most dear to me.
(m) Were kept apart from you, and as it were
orphans.
1Th 3:3
3:3 That no man should be moved by
these afflictions: {1} for yourselves know that we are appointed
thereunto.
(1) The will of God, who calls his
own on this condition, to bring them to glory by affliction, is a most sure
remedy against all afflictions.
1Th 3:6
3:6 {2} But now when Timotheus came
from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and
that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we
also [to see] you:
(2) Because they have to this point
gone so well forward, he exhorts them again to make an end of the rest of
the journey, seeing that in doing so they will do him their apostle a great
pleasure.
1Th 3:8
3:8 For now we {a} live, if ye stand
fast in the Lord.
(a) For now you cannot otherwise
think of me as at rest and in a good state of being, unless you go forward
in religion and faith.
1Th 3:10
3:10 Night and day praying exceedingly
that we might see your face, and might {b} perfect that which is lacking in
your faith?
(b) Paul was forced through the
pressing dealing of the enemies to leave the building which he had just
begun: and for that reason he had left Silas and Timothy in Macedonia, and
when Timothy came to Athens to him, he sent him back again immediately. So
that he desires to see the Thessalonians, that he may thoroughly perfect
their faith and religion, that was as yet imperfect.
1Th 3:12
3:12 {3} And the Lord make you to
increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all [men], even as
we [do] toward you:
(3) Another part of the epistle, in
which he speaks of the duties of a Christian life. And he shows that the
perfection of a Christian life consists in two things, that is, in charity
toward all men, and inward purity of the heart. And the accomplishment of
these things is nonetheless deferred to the next coming of Christ, who will
then perfect his work by the same grace with which he began it in us.
1Th 4:1
4:1 Furthermore {1} then we beseech
you, brethren, and exhort [you] by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of
us how ye ought to walk and to please God, [so] ye would {a} abound more and
more.
(1) Various exhortations, the
foundation of which is this, to be mindful of those things which they have
heard from the apostle.
(a) That you labour to excel more and more, and
daily surpass yourselves.
1Th 4:3
4:3 {2} For this is the will of God,
[even] your {b} sanctification, that ye should abstain from
fornication:
(2) This is the sum of those things
which he delivered to them, to dedicate themselves wholly to God. And he
plainly condemns all filthiness through lust, because it is altogether
contrary to the will of God.
(b) See Joh 17:17 .
1Th 4:4
4:4 {3} That every one of you should
know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and
honour;
(3) Another reason, because it
defiles the body.
1Th 4:5
4:5 {4} Not in the lust of
concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
(4) The third, because the saints
are distinguished by honesty and purity from those who do not know
God.
1Th 4:6
4:6 {5} That no [man] go beyond and
defraud his brother in [any] matter: because that the Lord [is] the avenger of
all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
(5) Secondly, he reprehends all
violent oppression, and immoderate desire, and shows most severely as the
Prophet of God, that God will avenge such wickedness.
1Th 4:8
4:8 He therefore that {c} despiseth,
despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy
Spirit.
(c) These commandments which I gave
you.
1Th 4:9
4:9 {6} But as touching brotherly love
ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love
one another.
(6) Thirdly, he requires a ready
mind to every manner of lovingkindness, and exhorts them to profit more and
more in that virtue.
1Th 4:11
4:11 {7} And that ye study to be quiet,
{8} and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we
commanded you;
(7) He condemns unsettled minds, and
such as are curious in matters which do not concern them.
(8) He rebukes
idleness and slothfulness: and whoever is given to these vices, fall into
other wickedness, to the great offence of the Church.
1Th 4:13
4:13 {9} But I would not have you to be
ignorant, brethren, {10} concerning them {11} which are asleep, that ye sorrow
not, even as others which have no hope.
(9) The third part of the epistle,
which is mixed in among the former exhortations (which he returns to
afterwards), in which he speaks of mourning for the dead, and the manner of
the resurrection, and of the latter day.
(10) We must take heed that we
do not immoderately mourn for the dead, that is, as those do who think that
the dead are utterly perished.
(11) A confirmation: for death is but a
sleep of the body (for he speaks of the faithful) until the Lord
comes.
1Th 4:14
4:14 {12} For if we believe that Jesus
died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in {d} Jesus will God {e}
bring with him.
(12) A reason for the confirmation,
for seeing that the head is risen, the members also will rise, and that by
the power of God.
(d) The dead in Christ, who continue in faith by which
they are ingrafted into Christ, even to the last breath.
(e) Will call
their bodies out of their graves, and join their souls to them again.
1Th 4:15
4:15 {13} For this we say unto you by
the {f} word of the Lord, that {g} we which are alive [and] remain unto the
coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are
asleep.
(13) The manner of the resurrection
will be in this way: the bodies of the dead will be as it were raised out of
sleep at the sound of the trumpet of God. Christ himself will descend from
heaven. The saints (for he is referring to them) who will then be found
alive, together with the dead who will rise, will be taken up into the
clouds to meet the Lord, and will be in perpetual glory with him.
(f) In
the name of the Lord, as though he himself spoke to you.
(g) He speaks of
these things, as though he should be one of those whom the Lord will find
alive at his coming, because the time of his coming is uncertain: and
therefore every one of us ought to be in such a readiness, as if the Lord
were coming at any moment.
1Th 4:16
4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend
from heaven with a {h} shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
(h) The word which the apostle uses
here, properly signifies that encouragement which mariners give to one
another, when they altogether with one shout put forth their oars and row
together.
1Th 4:17
4:17 Then we which are alive [and]
remain shall be {i} caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the
Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
(i) Suddenly and in the twinkling of
an eye.
1Th 5:1
5:1 But {1} of the times and the {a}
seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto
you.
(1) The day that God has appointed
for this judgment we do not know. But this is sure, that it will come upon
men when they are not expecting it.
(a) See Ac 1:7 .
1Th 5:4
5:4 {2} But ye, brethren, are not in
darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
(2) Returning to exhortations, he
warns us who are enlightened with the knowledge of God, that it is our duty
not to live securely in pleasures, lest we be suddenly taken in a dead sleep
in pleasures. But contrary to this we are to have an eye to the Lord, and
not allow ourselves to be oppressed with the cares of this world, for
pleasures are fitting for the darkness of the night, and having an eye to
the Lord is fitting for the light.
1Th 5:8
5:8 {3} But let us, who are of the day,
be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the
hope of salvation.
(3) We must fight with faith and
hope, and therefore we should certainly not lie snoring.
1Th 5:9
5:9 {4} For God hath not appointed us
to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus
Christ,
(4) He urges us forward by setting a
most certain hope of victory before us.
1Th 5:10
5:10 {5} Who died for us, that, whether
we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
(5) The death of Christ is a pledge
of our victory, for he died so that we might be partakers of his life of
power, indeed even while we live here.
1Th 5:11
5:11 {6} Wherefore comfort yourselves
together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
(6) We must not only watch
ourselves, but we are also bound to stir up, and to strengthen and encourage
one another.
1Th 5:12
5:12 {7} And we beseech you, brethren,
to {b} know them which labour among you, and are over you in the {c} Lord, and
admonish you;
(7) We must have consideration of
those who are appointed to the ministry of the word, and the government of
the church of God, and who do their duty.
(b) That you acknowledge and
take them for such as they are, that is to say, men worthy to be greatly
esteemed of among you.
(c) In those things which pertain to God's
service: so is the ecclesiastical function distinguished from civil
authority, and true shepherds from wolves.
1Th 5:13
5:13 And to esteem them very highly in
love for {d} their work's sake. {8} [And] be at peace among
yourselves.
(d) So then, when this reason
ceases, then must the honour cease.
(8) The maintenance of mutual
harmony, is to be especially guarded.
1Th 5:14
5:14 {9} Now we exhort you, brethren,
warn them that are {e} unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be
patient toward all [men].
(9) We must have consideration of
every man, and the remedy must be applied according to the disease.
(e)
That keep not their rank or standing.
1Th 5:15
5:15 {10} See that none render evil for
evil unto any [man]; but ever follow that which is good, both among
yourselves, and to all [men].
(10) Charity ought not to be
overcome by any injuries.
1Th 5:16
5:16 {11} Rejoice
evermore.
(11) A quiet and appeased mind is
nourished with continual prayers, giving regard to the will of God.
1Th 5:18
5:18 In every thing give thanks: for
this is the {f} will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you.
(f) An acceptable thing to God, and
such as he approves well of.
1Th 5:19
5:19 {12} Quench not the
Spirit.
(12) The sparks of the Spirit of God
that are kindled in us, are nourished by daily hearing the word of God: but
true doctrine must be diligently distinguished from false.
1Th 5:20
5:20 Despise not {g}
prophesyings.
(g) The explaining and interpreting
of the word of God.
1Th 5:22
5:22 {13} Abstain from all {h}
appearance of evil.
(13) A general conclusion, that we
waiting for the coming of Christ, do give ourselves to pureness in mind,
will, and body, through the grace and strength of the Spirit of God.
(h)
Whatever has but the very show of evil, abstain from it.
1Th 5:23
5:23 And the very God of peace {i}
sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be
preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
(i) Separate you from the world, and
make you holy to himself through his Spirit, in Christ, in whom alone you
will attain to that true peace.
1Th 5:24
5:24 {14} {k} Faithful [is] he that
calleth you, who also will {l} do [it].
(14) The good will and power of God
is a sure strengthening and encouragement against all difficulties, of which
we have a sure witness in our calling.
(k) Always one, and ever like
himself, who indeed performs whatever he promises. And an effectual calling
is nothing else but a right declaring and true setting forth of God's will:
and therefore the salvation of the elect, is safe and sure.
(l) Who will
also make you perfect.
1Th 5:25
5:25 {15} Brethren, pray for
us.
(15) The last part of the epistle,
in which with most authoritative charge he commends both himself and this
epistle to them.
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