Bible Commentary

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen. 28. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you ] This is St Paul’s usual form of final benediction. He expands it later Into the full Trinitarian blessing of 2Co 13:14, or shortens it into the brief “Grace be with you” of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:28”

I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. 27. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren ] Holy is probably an erroneous insertion of the copyists, due to Php 4:21, or Heb 3:1. Charge should be the much … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:27”

Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 26. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss ] Better, Salute (R. V.). The kiss, as the common sign of affection amongst kindred and near friends in meeting or parting, was universal in the primitive Christian assemblies, and is still a usage of the Greek and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:26”

Brethren, pray for us. 25. Brethren, pray for us ] St Paul has just prayed for his readers (1Th 5:23; comp. ch. 1Th 1:2; 1Th 3:10-13); he desires that they in tarn should pray for him. “Some ancient authorities,” very suitably, “read also ” (R. V. margin): pray also for us, i.e. as we do … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:25”

Faithful [is] he that calleth you, who also will do [it.] 24. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it] who will also to it (R. V.). The Apostle often appeals to the faithfulness of God, as of One pledged to carry out what He promises in the Gospel; see 1Co 1:9; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:24”

And the very God of peace 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. 23. And the very God of peace ] the God of peace Himself (R. V.) so “God Himself” in ch. 1Th 3:11, and “our … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:23”

Abstain from all appearance of evil. 22. Abstain from all appearance of evil ] from every form of evil (R. V.). The Apostle does not advise the Thessalonians to avoid what looks like evil; the command thus understood encourages the studying of appearances, and tends to the “doing of our works to be seen of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:22”

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 21. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good ] Some of the best ancient authorities read, But prove all things. In any case, this exhortation, while capable of the widest application, arises out of the subject of the last. “Instead of accepting or rejecting … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:21”

Despise not prophesyings. Despise not prophesyings – On the subject of prophesyings in the early Christian church, see the notes on 1Co 14:1 ff1 ff. The reference here seems to be to preaching. They were not to undervalue it in comparison with other things. It is possible that in Thessalonica, as appears to have been … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:20”

Quench not the Spirit. 19, 20. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings ] The R. V. properly reduces to a semi-colon the full stop between these sentences. What is revelation on God’s part, is prophecy in its human instrument. “Prophecy” bears to “revelation” the same relation as “teaching” to “knowledge” (1Co 12:6), the former … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 5:19”