CHAPTER VII. ANALYSIS AND DIGEST OF THE EPISTLES. I. IN the First Epistle there are two clearly marked sections. CH. I.—III. are personal; CH. IV. and V., moral and doctrinal. (1) The first and chief part of the letter is an outpouring of the Apostle's heart to his readers. He tells them what he thinks of them, how he prays for them and thanks God for what they are, for all they have attained and all they have endured as Christian believers. Then he talks about himself and his fellow-missionaries, reminding his readers of their work and life at Thessalonica, and informing them of his repeated attempts to return to them, of the circumstances under which he had sent Timothy in his place, and the inexpressible delight given to him by Timothy's good report of their state and of their love for the absent Apostles. (2) In v. 1 of CH. IV. the writer begins to preach, and passes from narrative and prayer to exhortation. His homily bears chiefly on Christian morals,—“how you ought to walk and to please God." In the midst of this condensed and powerful address is introduced the great passage relating to the Second Coming (CH. IV. 13-V. 11), explaining to the Thessalonians what they should believe on this vital matter of faith, to them so profoundly interesting. The misunderstandings and the agitation existing in this Church affected its "walk;" they were injurious to the Church's peace and disturbing to its soberness and joy of faith. Hence the introduction of the doctrinal question at this stage and in this form. II. The Second Epistle contains very little personal matter. After the Thanksgiving, which occupies the first chapter, St Paul proceeds at once to the questions of doctrine and discipline which called for this further deliverance from him. CH. II. and III. of 2 Ep. therefore correspond to CH. IV. and V. of 1 Ep. But the scope of St Paul's exhortations is here more limited. He deals (1) in CH. II. 1—12, with the false alarm about the parousia, which was just now producing a demoralising excitement; (2) with the case of certain idlers and busybodies, whose obstinate indiscipline compels him to take stern measures for their correction (CH. III. 6-14). The intervening part of the Epistle (CH. II. 13—III. 5) is taken up with thanksgiving, prayer, and exhortation of a general character. The following is the scheme of exposition pursued in the Notes upon these two Epistles: I EPISTLE. Address and Salutation. Ch. i. I. § 1. The Thanksgiving and the Reasons for it. Ch. i. 2-10. § 2. The Apostle's Conduct at Thessalonica. Ch. ii. 1-12. § 3. (Parenthetical) Jewish Persecutors of the Church. Ch. ii. 13-16. § 4. St Paul's Present Relations to the Thessalonians. Ch. ii. 17—iii. 13. § 5. § 6. § 7. A Lesson in Christian Morals. Ch. iv. 1—12. 2 EPIST. § I. § 2. § 3. § 4. § 5. Salutation and Thanksgiving. Ch. i. 1-4. Conclusion. Ch. iii.. 16-18. It may be convenient to give in conclusion a digest of the Epistles, in the shape of a running paraphrase :— THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. CH. I. PAUL and his colleagues wish the Thessalonian Church "Grace and Peace." (v. 2) They constantly remember them in their prayers, and thank God for the rich fruit which their faith and love and hope in Christ are bearing. (v. 4) They are sure that God in His love has chosen them for His own. (v. 5) They had proof of this in the confidence, wrought by the Holy Spirit, with which they at first addressed them and in the powerful effect which the gospel had upon them. With joyful courage these young disciples encountered persecution, following the path marked out by the Apostles and their Lord. (v. 7) They were indeed a pattern to their fellow-believers; and the story of their conversion from idolatry to the service of the true God and hope in Christ had spread even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, and bore signal witness to the truth and power of the Divine message. CH. II. “I need scarcely remind you," he continues, “of the way in which our ministry amongst you began. You know what we suffered at Philippi, and you remember the boldness with which we proclaimed God's message to you. (v. 3) There was no delusion or trickery, no impure motive in our work. We felt that we had a solemn trust committed to us by God, and we spoke and acted accordingly. (v. 5) You know that we never flattered you; and God knows we sought no gain or glory for ourselves. We might, in our apostolic quality, have charged you with our maintenance; (v. 7) but rather we treated you like a mother nursing her children, ready to give you, with the gospel, our very lives. So much had we learnt to love you! (v. 9) We toiled night and day to save you expense, while we preached to you the gospel. To yourselves we can appeal whether our conduct towards you did not in every way commend our message. (v. 11) As our children, with fatherly counsel and encouragement we strove to make you worthy of your calling and your hopes. (v. 13) "And, thank God, our labour was not in vain. It was God's word, not man's, you received in our message; and in you it has its due effect. You are following in the steps of the Judean Churches and sharing their persecutions. Your fellow-countrymen treat you as they were treated by their fellow-Jews-the Jews, (v. 15) murderers of the Lord Jesus as they were of the prophets! Enemies of mankind, offensive to God, they chase us from city to city and would prevent our preaching to the Gentiles. But His wrath is upon them, and their doom is near ! (v. 17) "As for ourselves, compelled to leave you for a while (our hearts indeed still with you), we counted on coming back again to see you. We made determined efforts, more than once, to do this; but Satan stood in the way. (v. 19) For you verily will be our glory and crown at Christ's coming, as you are already! CH. III. And so, on our second failure, finding ourselves at Athens, we thought it best to send Timothy, just then our only companion. We were fearful lest you should have been overpowered by affliction; and we sent him to cheer you and sustain your faith. We had told you, as you will remember, what conflicts you might expect; and so the event proved. (v. 6) "But now Timothy has returned; and how shall I relate the joy his tidings give me! how thank God sufficiently for His grace manifest in you! To hear of your steadfast faith and abounding love, of your affection for us and great desire to see us-all this is an unspeakable comfort; it is new life to me. (v. 11) May God our Father and Christ our Lord grant me soon the delight of seeing you, and helping you onward in your faith! May the Lord quicken yet more your love, as ours is kindled towards you! May He give you confidence of heart, and the holiness which will fit you for His coming! CH. IV. "Before we close this letter, we have some requests to make, which we urge upon you in the name of the Lord Jesus. In general, that you follow the rules of life we gave you. You are doing this, we know; but there is room for progress. (v. 3) In particular, be free from all taint of unchastity. Be masters of your bodily passions. In this lies great part of your sanctification. Lust, with its dishonour, is the mark of Gentile godlessness. (v. 6) This sin brings wrong and injury on others, while it degrades the man himself. The Lord is the avenger of every offence against social purity. By such offence you set Him at defiance, and outrage His Holy Spirit given to you. (v. 9) "As to brotherly love, God Himself is your teacher; and all your brethren in Macedonia benefit by your proficiency. Still, in this grace increase is always possible. We desire to see in you a quiet spirit, (v. 12) and that honourable labour and independence be your ambition! (v. 13) "Death has been busy amongst you. And your sorrow is deepened by a strange fear lest your sleeping friends should have lost their part in the hope of Christ's return and their place in His heavenly kingdom. Be comforted. His resurrection from the dead is a pledge of theirs. God will restore them at His return. (v. 15) They will have indeed the first and foremost share in His glorious advent. At His trumpet's call they will rise from their sleep; (v. 17) we who live on the earth will rejoin them; and together, in one body, we shall ascend to meet our returning Lord. With Him we and they shall then dwell for ever! CH. V. 1. "But when this will be, and what train of events will precede the Advent, remains a secret. We are told that the day of the Lord comes 'as a thief in the night.' (v. 3) So it will prove for the wicked and unbelieving. Just when they are most secure-like men men. asleep at night or drunken-then ruin falls upon them! But you surely are not in the dark; (v. 5) you live in the daylight, as sober, wakeful And when the end comes, it will not find you unprepared. But take heed that it be so. (v. 8) Be ready, like soldiers on the watch, clad in the armour of steadfast faith and love, and a high Christian hope. Well may you hope for salvation in the dread Day, knowing that God has chosen you for this, (v. 10) and that Christ has died to the end that in life or death you may live evermore with Him.—With such thoughts comfort and edify each other. (v. 12) “But further, we must ask you to appreciate the labours of those who hold rule and office amongst you. Their work is difficult; give them your confidence and love. Avoid all contention. (v. 14) Let each take his part in the work of brotherly admonition, of consolation, of sympathy and patient help in dealing with weak or troublesome members of the flock. Never must evil be retaliated; do nothing but good to others for your part. (v. 16) "Let your life be filled with joy, prayer, thanksgiving: this is the Christian life; it is God's will for you. Beware of quenching the influence of the Holy Spirit by disparagement of His prophetic gifts. Put everything to proof indeed; but hold fast what is good, while you shrink from every kind of evil. (v. 23) Above all, may God Himself, Source and Giver of peace, accomplish your full sanctification. In the integrity of a consecrated body, soul, and spirit may you be preserved and found without blame at Christ's coming. God has called you for this end; He is faithful: it shall be done! (v. 25) "Have us remembered in your prayers. 66 66 "I solemnly require you to see that this letter is read to every brother in the Church. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you !" THE SECOND EPISTLE. CH. I. In commencing his second letter, bearing also the names of "Silas and Timothy" with his own, the Apostle repeats his salutation of "Grace and Peace." (v. 3) He feels "bound to thank God" for the signal growth of the Thessalonians' faith, and the affluence of their love; and especially for their courageous fidelity under |