1Thessalonians:5

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* Verse 1-5 - It is needless or useless to ask about the particular time of Christ 's coming . Christ did not reveal this to the apostles . There are times and seasons for us to work in , and these are our duty and interest to know and observe ; but as to the time when we must give up our account , we know it not , nor is it needful that we should . The coming of Christ will be a great surprise to men . Our Lord himself said so . As the hour of death is the same to each person that the judgment will be to mankind in general , so the same remarks answer for both . Christ 's coming will be terrible to the ungodly . Their destruction will overtake them while they dream of happiness , and please themselves with vain amusements . There will be no means to escape the terror or the punishment of that day . This day will be a happy day to the righteous . They are not in darkness ; they are the children of the light . It is the happy condition of all true Christians . But how many are speaking peace and safety to themselves , over whose heads utter destruction is hovering ! Let us endeavour to awaken ourselves and each other , and guard against our spiritual enemies . * Verse 6-11 - Most of mankind do not consider the things of another world at all , because they are asleep ; or they do not consider them aright , because they sleep and dream . Our moderation as to all earthly things should be known to all men . Shall Christians , who have the light of the blessed gospel shining in their faces , be careless about their souls , and unmindful of another world ? We need the spiritual armour , or the three Christian graces , faith , love , and hope . Faith ; if we believe that the eye of God is always upon us , that there is another world to prepare for , we shall see reason to watch and be sober . True and fervent love to God , and the things of God , will keep us watchful and sober . If we have hope of salvation , let us take heed of any thing that would shake our trust in the Lord . We have ground on which to build unshaken hope , when we consider , that salvation is by our Lord Jesus Christ , who died for us , to atone for our sins and to ransom our souls . We should join in prayer and praise one with another . We should set a good example one before another , and this is the best means to answer the end of society . Thus we shall learn how to live to Him , with whom we hope to live for ever . * Verse 12-15 - The ministers of the gospel are described by the work of their office , which is to serve and honour the Lord . It is their duty not only to give good counsel , but also to warn the flock of dangers , and reprove for whatever may be amiss . The people should honour and love their ministers , because their business is the welfare of men 's souls . And the people should be at peace among themselves , doing all they can to guard against any differences . But love of peace must not make us wink at sin . The fearful and sorrowful spirits , should be encouraged , and a kind word may do much good . We must bear and forbear . We must be long-suffering , and keep down anger , and this to all men . Whatever man do to us , we must do good to others . * Verse 16-22 - We are to rejoice in creature-comforts , as if we rejoiced not , and must not expect to live many years , and rejoice in them all ; but if we do rejoice in God , we may do that evermore . A truly religious life is a life of constant joy . And we should rejoice more , if we prayed more . Prayer will help forward all lawful business , and every good work . If we pray without ceasing , we shall not want matter for thanksgiving in every thing . We shall see cause to give thanks for sparing and preventing , for common and uncommon , past and present , temporal and spiritual mercies . Not only for prosperous and pleasing , but also for afflicting providences , for chastisements and corrections ; for God designs all for our good , though we at present see not how they tend to it . Quench not the Spirit . Christians are said to be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire . He worketh as fire , by enlightening , enlivening , and purifying the souls of men . As fire is put out by taking away fuel , and as it is quenched by pouring water , or putting a great deal of earth upon it ; so we must be careful not to quench the Holy Spirit , by indulging carnal lusts and affections , minding only earthly things . Believers often hinder their growth in grace , by not giving themselves up to the spiritual affections raised in their hearts by the Holy Spirit . By prophesyings , here understand the preaching of the word , the interpreting and applying the Scriptures . We must not despise preaching , though it is plain , and we are told no more than what we knew before . We must search the Scriptures . And proving all things must be to hold fast that which is good . We should abstain from sin , and whatever looks like sin , leads to it , and borders upon it . He who is not shy of the appearances of sin , who shuns not the occasions of it , and who avoids not the temptations and approaches to it , will not long keep from doing sin . * Verse 23-28 - The apostle prays that they might be sanctified more perfectly , for the best are sanctified but in part while in this world ; therefore we should pray for , and press toward , complete holiness . And as we must fall , if God did not carry on his good work in the soul , we should pray to God to perfect his work , till we are presented faultless before the throne of his glory . We should pray for one another ; and brethren should thus express brotherly love . This epistle was to be read to all the brethren . Not only are the common people allowed to read the Scriptures , but it is their duty , and what they should be persuaded to do . The word of God should not be kept in an unknown tongue , but transplanted , that as all men are concerned to know the Scriptures , so they all may be able to read them . The Scriptures should be read in all public congregations , for the benefit of the unlearned especially . We need no more to make us happy , than to know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ . He is an ever-flowing and an over-flowing fountain of grace to supply all our wants . Henry ' _2_1 **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary **** _

---