manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (i. 7-9). We might imagine that words. like these would only suit the progress of years, that if the apostle had written at the end of some six years he might have ventured upon such lan.. guage; yet the fact is that he wrote at the end of some six months, and congratulated them upon a growth which was as fruitful as it well could be. Shall we ask what was the reason of this growth? Surely no conclusion can be clearer than that the growth and fruitfulness of the Thessalonian Christians were due in a very great degree to the fact that they lived and laboured in the faith of the day of Christ; that their whole life was more or less tempered by this, "He is coming;" that their whole labours were urged on by this, "He is coming;" and that they practised their work of faith and exercised their patience and hope while waiting for the Son of God from heaven. Their growth had been originally excited by the power of this truth, and to cherish their progress he continued to enforce this truth. What it had effected was but the pledge of what it would be able to effect, in developing the spiritual life of the Thessalonian Church. And let us not suppose that this truth has lost its power, that it was a thing of early enthusiasm the existing force of which has necessarily become weakened by the lapse of time. It is not like some by-gone animal which you dig fossilised from the earth, to be placed in a museum, to be studied, regarded and even admired; it is like some living creature of beauty and vigour which you may no less admire, but in the practical uses of which you may also find your share of benefit. The whole of the New Testament bears witness to the second coming of Christ in glory. Nor is it correct to say that the teaching of the New Testament is less decided on this point in the later epistles than it is in the earlier. The absence in other epistles of such full and decided expressions as we find in the epistle before us is to be accounted for rather by the fact that it is the special purpose of the Holy Spirit to bring out some particular matter into prominence in each epistle; and how, it may be asked, could the second coming be so prominent in an epistle which treats, for instance, of justification by faith, as in this one where it is evidently the leading theme? But surely the realisation of the next advent of our Lord has power for us as it had for the Thessalonians. Does it not affect the heart in the reception and spread of the gospel? Does it not tell on the ministerial character? Does it not exercise a great influence in leading the believer to avoid sin, and cultivate positive holiness? Does it not possess consoling and elevating virtue when we look forward to the reunion of the dead and the living saints? The question is simply this, a question for every reader to consider, Have you tried the power of this truth? If you have, you know it. If you have not, then you are not aware what a motive force you lack. When the words of Jesus, " Behold, I come quickly," call forth the heart-felt reply, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus," service is a joy, holiness is longed after, the light which is beyond attracts the eye from over-hanging clouds. Then ministers can plead with unwonted earnestness, and believers pray for the accomplishment of the number of God's elect and the hastening of His kingdom. If we would flourish, there is no better help than this, the prayerful, believing expectation of the day of Christ, the service of the living and true God in connection with waiting for His Son from heaven. II. SHORT COMMENTS. There are some verses which require some special explanation i. 5. The words "in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance," refer to the teaching of Paul and his fellow-labourers, not to the reception of the word by the Thessalonians. This is seen from the end of the verse. The teachers spoke with power, under the influence of the Holy Ghost, and with full assurance of success. 11 ii. 18. Satan hindered them by the opposition which he stirred up, and the difficulties of return which he placed in their way. The power which the devil is allowed to exercise is one of the mysteries of divine providence. Observe that the inspired apostle speaks of Satan as an active personal enemy. Compare iii. 5. v. 10. "Wake or sleep," i. e., whether living or dead at the time of Christ's appearing. v. 22. The verse had better be rendered, "Abstain from every kind (every form) of evil." Note on the expression "the coming of the Lord." There are three words used with reference to the Lord's return, ἐπιφάνεια, " appearing;” ἀποκάλυψις, “ reve lation;" rapovoía, "coming" (more properly, abiding presence consequent upon coming or arrival). When, therefore, we speak of the coming (rapovoía) of Jesus we do not mean simply the one fact of His arrival, but His continued presence with His people which shall never suffer a break. His arrival will usher in the Millennium which will be only the commencement of never-ending joy. At the beginning of the Millennium many shall be taken to be for ever with the Lord;" when the Millennium closes, the new heaven and the new earth will form the abode of all the saints for ever. We have not, therefore, to think of three comings (one past, a second at the Millennium, a third subsequent to this), but of two, one past, the second drawing nigh and comprising not only the actual return, but the remaining of Jesus; in fact, His presence, παρουσία. 66 |