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經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 1:1-1:1

註釋:

  1;  Paul certifies them of the good opinion which he had of
     their faith, love, and patience;
 11;  and therewithal uses divers reasons for the comforting of
     them in persecution, whereof the chief is taken from the
     righteous judgment of God.

  2Co 1:19  1Th 1:1-10 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 1:2-1:2

註釋:

  Ro 1:7  1Co 1:3,8 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 1:3-1:3

註釋:

error in strong number parsing >,] from
   [huper <See definition 5228>,] intensive, and
   [auxano <See definition 837>,] to grow, increase,
   signifies, as Dr. Clarke remarks, to grow luxuriantly, as a
   good and healthy tree in a good soil; and, if a fruit tree,
   bearing an abundance of fruit to compensate the labour of the
   husbandman.   Faith is one of the seeds of the kingdom:  this
   the Apostle had sowed and watered, and God gave an abundant
   increase.  Their faith was multiplied, and their love
   abounded:  and this was not the case with some distinguished
   characters only; it was the case with every one of them.  For
   this the apostle felt himself bound to give continual thanks
   to God on their behalf, as it was "meet" and right.

 
經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 1:4-1:4

註釋:

 * glory.
  2Co 7:14  9:2,4  1Th 2:19 
 * your patience.
  3:5  Ro 2:7  5:3-5  8:25  12:12  1Th 1:3  3:2-8  Heb 6:15  10:36 
  Heb 12:1-3  Jas 1:3,4  5:7,8  2Pe 1:6  Re 14:12 
 * your persecutions.
  1Th 2:14  3:3,4  Jas 5:11 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 1:5-1:5

註釋:

 * manifest.
  6  Php 1:28  1Pe 4:14-18 
 * righteous.
  Job 8:3  Ps 9:7,8  33:5  50:6  72:2  99:4  111:7  Jer 9:24  Da 4:37 
  Ro 2:5  Re 15:4  16:7  19:2 
 * may.
  11  Lu 20:35  21:36  Ac 13:46  Eph 4:1  Col 1:12  Re 3:4 
 * for.
  7  Ac 14:22  Ro 8:17  1Th 2:14  2Ti 2:12  Heb 10:32,33 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 1:6-1:6

註釋:

  De 32:41-43  Ps 74:22,23  79:10-12  94:20-23  Isa 49:26  Zec 2:8 
  Re 6:10  11:18  15:4  16:5,6  18:20,24  19:2 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 1:7-1:7

註釋:

 * who.
  Isa 57:2  Mt 5:10-12  Lu 16:25  Ro 8:17  2Co 4:17  2Ti 2:12 
  Heb 4:1,9,11  1Pe 4:1  Re 7:14-17  14:13  21:4 
 * when.
  Mt 13:39-43  16:27  25:31  26:64  Mr 8:38  14:62  Joh 1:51  Ac 1:11 
  1Th 4:16,17  Tit 2:13  Heb 9:28  Jude 1:14,15  Re 1:7  20:11 
 * his mighty angels.  Gr. the angels of his power.
  Joh 1:3  Eph 1:2  Col 1:16  1Pe 3:22  Re 22:6,9,16 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 1:8-1:8

註釋:

 * flaming.
  Ge 3:24  De 4:11  5:5  Ps 21:8,9  50:2-6  Da 7:10  Mt 25:41,46 
  Heb 10:27  12:29  2Pe 3:7,10-12  Re 20:10,14,15  21:8 
 * taking.  or, yielding vengeance.
  De 32:35,41,42  Ps 2:9-12  94:1  Isa 61:2  63:4-6  Heb 10:30 
  Re 6:10,16,17 
 * that know.
  Ex 5:2  1Sa 2:12  Ps 9:10  79:6  Isa 27:11  Jer 9:6  Zep 1:6 
  Joh 3:19  8:19  Ro 1:28  1Co 15:34  1Th 4:5 
 * and that.
  De 4:30  Ps 18:44  Isa 1:19  Ac 6:7  Ro 1:5  2:7,8  6:16  10:16  15:18 
  Ro 16:26  2Co 10:5  Ga 3:1  Heb 2:3  5:9  11:8  1Pe 1:2  3:6  4:17 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 1:9-1:9

註釋:

 * be.
  Isa 33:14  66:24  Da 12:2  Mt 25:41,46  26:24  Mr 9:43-49 
  Lu 16:25,26  Joh 5:14  Php 3:19  Heb 10:29  2Pe 2:17  3:7  Jude 1:13 
  Re 14:10,11  20:14  21:8  22:15 
 * from the presence.
  Ge 3:8  4:16  Job 21:14  22:17  Ps 16:11  51:11  Mt 7:23  22:13  25:41 
  Lu 13:27 
 * the glory.
  2:8  De 33:2  Isa 2:10,19,21  Mt 16:27  24:30  Tit 2:13  *Gr: 
  Re 20:11 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 1:10-1:10

註釋:

 * to be glorified.
  12  Nu 23:23  Ps 89:7  Isa 43:21  44:23  49:3  60:21  Jer 33:9 
  Mt 25:31  Joh 11:4  17:10  Ga 1:24  Eph 1:6,12,14,18  2:7  3:10,16 
  1Pe 2:9  Re 7:11,12 
 * to be admired.
  Ps 68:35 
 * our.
  2:13  1Th 1:5  2:13 
 * in that.
  Mal 3:17  Mt 7:22  24:36  Lu 10:12  2Ti 1:12,18  4:8 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 1:11-1:11

註釋:

 * we pray.
  Ro 1:9  Eph 1:16  3:14-21  Php 1:9-11  Col 1:9-13  1Th 3:9-13 
 * our God.
  Ps 48:14  68:20  Isa 25:9  55:7  Da 3:17  Re 5:10 
 * would.
  5  Col 1:12  Re 3:4 
 * count.  or, vouchsafe.  calling.
  2:14  Ro 8:30  9:23,24  Php 3:14  1Th 2:12  Heb 3:1  1Pe 5:10 
 * fulfil.
  Ps 138:8  Pr 4:18  Isa 66:9  Ho 6:3  Zec 4:7  Mr 4:28  1Co 1:8 
  Php 1:6 
 * the good.
  Ps 51:18  Lu 12:32  Eph 1:5,9  Php 2:13  Tit 3:4-7 
 * the work.
  Joh 6:27-29  Eph 1:19,20  1Th 1:3  2:13  Heb 12:2 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 1:12-1:12

註釋:

 * the name.
  10  Joh 17:10  1Pe 4:14 
 * and ye.
  Ge 18:18  Ps 72:17  Isa 45:17,25  Joh 17:21-26  Php 3:9  Col 2:9,10 
  1Pe 1:7,8 
 * the grace.
  Ro 1:7  1Co 1:4  2Co 8:9  13:4  Tit 2:11  Re 1:4 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:1-2:1

註釋:

  1;  Paul urges them to continue stedfast in the truth received;
  3;  shows that there shall be a departure from the faith,
  9;  and a discovery of Antichrist, before the day of the Lord
     come;
 15;  and thereupon repeats his former exhortation, and prays for
     them.

 * we.
  Ro 12:1 
 * by the.
  1Th 4:14-16 
 * and by.
  Ge 49:10  Mt 24:31  25:32  Mr 13:27  Eph 1:10  1Th 3:13  4:17 
  2Ti 4:1 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:2-2:2

註釋:

 * shaken.
  Isa 7:2  8:12,13  26:3  Mt 24:6  Mr 13:7  Lu 21:9,19  Joh 14:1,27 
  Ac 20:23,24  Eph 5:6  1Th 3:3 
 * by spirit.
  De 13:1-5  Jer 23:25-27  Mic 2:11  Mt 24:4,5,24  2Pe 2:1-3 
  1Jo 4:1,2  Re 19:20 
 * nor by letter.
  1Th 4:15  2Pe 3:4-8 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:3-2:3

註釋:

 * no man.
  Mt 24:4-6  1Co 6:9  Eph 5:6 
 * except.
  1Ti 4:1-3  2Ti 3:1-3  4:3,4 
 * man.
  8-10  Da 7:25  1Jo 2:18  Re 13:11-18 
 * the son.
  Joh 17:12  Re 17:8,11 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:4-2:4

註釋:

 * and exalteth.
  Isa 14:13  Eze 28:2,6,9  Da 7:8,25  8:9-11  11:36  Re 13:6 
 * called.
  1Co 8:5 
 * sitteth.
  Da 8:12-14  11:45  Re 13:6,7 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:5-2:5

註釋:

 * Remember.
  Mt 16:9  Mr 8:18  Lu 24:6,7  Ac 20:31 
 * when.
  3:10  Joh 16:4  Ga 5:21  1Th 2:11  2Pe 1:15 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:6-2:6

註釋:

 * withholdeth.  or, holdeth.
  7 
 * revealed.
  3,8 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:7-2:7

註釋:

 * the mystery.
  1Ti 3:16  Re 17:5,7 
 * doth.
  Ac 20:29  Col 2:18-23  2Ti 2:17,18  1Jo 2:18  4:3 
 * he who.
  6 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:8-2:8

註釋:

 * that.
  3  Mt 13:19,38  1Jo 2:13  3:12  5:18 
 * whom.
  Da 7:10,11,26  Re 18:8-10  19:20  20:10 
 * the spirit.
  Job 4:9  Ps 18:15  Isa 11:4  Ho 6:5  Re 1:16  2:16  19:15,20,21 
 * with the brightness.
  1:8,9  Heb 10:27 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:9-2:9

註釋:

 * is.
  Joh 8:41,44  Ac 8:9-11  13:10  2Co 4:4  11:3,14  Eph 2:2  Re 9:11 
  Re 12:9,17  13:1-5  18:23  19:20  20:10 
 * and signs.
  Ex 7:22  8:7,18  De 13:1,2  Mt 24:24  Mr 13:22  2Ti 3:8  Re 13:11-15 
  Re 18:23  19:20 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:10-2:10

註釋:

 * deceivableness.
  Ro 16:18  2Co 2:17  4:2  11:13,15  Eph 4:14  2Pe 2:18  Heb 3:13 
 * in them.
  1Co 1:18  2Co 2:15  4:3  2Pe 2:12 
 * they received.
  Pr 1:7  2:1-6  4:5,6  8:17  Mt 13:11  Joh 3:19-21  8:45-47  Ro 2:7,8 
  Ro 6:17  1Co 16:22  Jas 1:16-18 
 * that they.
  Joh 3:17  5:34  Ro 10:1  1Th 2:16  1Ti 2:4 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:11-2:11

註釋:

 * for.
  Ps 81:11,12  109:17  Isa 29:9-14  Joh 12:39-43  Ro 1:21-25,28 
 * God.
  1Ki 22:18-22  2Ch 18:18-22  Isa 6:9,10  Eze 14:9 
 * that.
  Isa 44:20  66:4  Jer 27:10  Eze 21:29  Mt 24:5,11  1Ti 4:1 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:12-2:12

註釋:

 * they.
  De 32:35  Mr 16:16  Joh 3:36  1Th 5:9  2Pe 2:3  Jude 1:4,5 
 * but.
  Ps 11:5  50:16-21  52:3,4  Ho 7:3  Mic 3:2  Mr 14:11  Joh 3:19-21 
  Ro 1:32  2:8  8:7,8  12:9  2Pe 2:13-15  3Jo 1:11 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:13-2:13

註釋:

 * we.
  1:3  Ro 1:8  6:17 
 * beloved.
  16  De 33:12  2Sa 12:25  *marg: 
  Jer 31:3  Eze 16:8  Da 9:23  10:11,19  Ro 1:7  Col 3:12  1Jo 4:10,19 
 * from.
  Ge 1:1  Pr 8:23  Isa 46:10  Joh 1:1  8:44  Heb 1:10 
 * chosen.
  Ro 8:33  9:11  Eph 1:4,5  1Th 1:4  2Ti 1:9  1Pe 1:2 
 * through.
  10,12  Lu 1:75  1Pe 1:2-5 
 * belief.
  Joh 8:45,46  14:6  Ac 13:48  15:9  Ga 3:1  Eph 2:8  Col 1:5  2Ti 2:15 
  2Ti 3:15  Jas 1:18 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:14-2:14

註釋:

 * he called.
  Ro 8:28-30  1Th 2:12  1Pe 5:10 
 * our gospel.
  Ro 2:16  16:25  1Th 1:5 
 * to.
  Ps 16:11  Mt 25:21  Joh 14:2,3  17:22,24  Ro 8:17  Eph 1:18 
  1Th 2:12  2Ti 2:12  1Pe 1:4,5  5:10  Re 3:21  21:23  22:3-5 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:15-2:15

註釋:

 * stand.
  1Co 15:58  16:13  Php 4:1 
 * hold.
  3:6  1Co 11:2 
 * the traditions.
  Ro 16:17  Jude 1:3  *Gr: 
 * whether.
  2  3:14 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:16-2:16

註釋:

 * our Lord.
  1:1,2  Ro 1:7  1Th 3:11 
 * which.
  13  Joh 3:16  13:1  15:9,13  Ro 5:8  Eph 2:4,5  5:2,25  Tit 3:4-7 
  1Jo 3:16  4:9,10  Re 1:5  3:9 
 * everlasting.
  Ps 103:17  Isa 35:10  51:11  60:19,20  61:7  Lu 16:25  Joh 4:14 
  Joh 14:16-18  16:22  2Co 4:17,18  Heb 6:18  1Pe 1:5-8  Re 7:16,17 
  Re 22:5 
 * good.
  Ro 5:2-5  8:24,25  Col 1:5,23  1Th 1:3  Tit 1:2  2:13  Heb 6:11 
  Heb 6:12,19  7:19  1Pe 1:3-5  1Jo 3:2,3 
 * through.
  Ac 15:11  18:27  Ro 4:4,16  5:2  11:5,6 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 2:17-2:17

註釋:

 * Comfort.
  16  Isa 51:3,12  57:15  61:1,2  66:13  Ro 15:13  2Co 1:3-6 
 * stablish.
  3:3  Isa 62:7  Ro 1:11  16:25  1Co 1:8  2Co 1:21  Col 2:7  1Th 3:2,13 
  Heb 13:9  1Pe 5:10  Jude 1:24 
 * in.
  Jas 1:21,22  1Jo 3:18 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:1-3:1

註釋:

  1;  Paul craves their prayers for himself;
  3;  testifies what confidence he has in them;
  5;  makes request to God in their behalf;
  6;  gives them divers precepts, especially to shun idleness, and
     ill company;
 16;  and then concludes with prayer and salutation.

 * pray.
  Mt 9:38  Lu 10:2  Ro 15:30  2Co 1:11  Eph 6:19,20  Col 4:3 
  1Th 5:17,25  Heb 13:18,19 
 * the word.
  Ac 6:7  12:24  13:49  19:20  1Co 16:9  2Ti 2:9 
 * have free course.   Gr. run, be.
  Ps 138:2  Ac 13:48 
 * even.
  1Th 1:5  2:1,13 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:2-3:2

註釋:

 * delivered.
  Ro 15:31  1Co 15:32  2Co 1:8-10  1Th 2:18  2Ti 4:17 
 * unreasonable.  Gr. absurd.  for.
  De 32:20  Mt 17:17  23:23  Lu 18:8  Joh 2:23-25  Ac 13:45,50  14:2 
  Ac 17:5  28:24  Ro 10:16  2Co 4:3,4 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:3-3:3

註釋:

 * the Lord.
  1Co 1:9  10:13  1Th 5:24 
 * stablish.
  2:17 
 * and.
  Ge 48:16  1Ch 4:10  Ps 19:13  121:7  Mt 6:13  Lu 11:4  Joh 17:15 
  2Ti 4:18  2Pe 2:9  Jude 1:24 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:4-3:4

註釋:

 * we have.
  Ro 15:14  2Co 2:3  7:16  8:22  Ga 5:10  Php 1:6  Phm 1:21 
 * that.
  6,12  Mt 28:20  Ro 2:7  15:18  1Co 7:19  14:37  2Co 2:9  7:15 
  Php 2:12  1Th 4:1,2,10 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:5-3:5

註釋:

 * the Lord.
  1Ki 8:58  1Ch 29:18  Ps 119:5,36  Pr 3:6  Jer 10:23  Jas 1:16-18 
 * into.
  De 30:6  Jer 31:33  Ro 5:5  8:28  1Co 8:3  Ga 5:22  Jas 2:5  1Jo 4:19 
 * and into.
  Ps 40:1  130:5,6  La 3:26  Lu 12:36,37  Ro 8:25  Php 3:20,21 
  1Th 1:3,10  2Ti 4:8  Tit 2:13  Heb 9:28  2Pe 3:12  Re 3:10,11  13:10 
 * the patient waiting for Christ.  or, the patience of Christ.
  Heb 12:2,3  1Pe 4:1 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:6-3:6

註釋:

 * in the.
  1Co 5:4  2Co 2:10  Eph 4:17  Col 3:17  1Th 4:1  1Ti 5:21  6:13,14 
  2Ti 4:1 
 * that ye.
  14,15  Mt 18:17  Ro 16:17  1Co 5:11-13  1Ti 6:5  2Ti 3:5  Heb 12:15 
  Heb 12:16  3Jo 1:10,11 
 * walketh.
  7,11  1Th 4:11  5:14 
 * after.
  10,14  2:15 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:7-3:7

註釋:

 * how.
  9  1Co 4:16  11:1  Php 3:17  4:9  1Th 1:6,7  1Ti 4:12  Tit 2:7 
  1Pe 5:3 
 * for.
  6  1Th 2:10 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:8-3:8

註釋:

 * eat.
  12  Pr 31:27  Mt 6:11 
 * but.
  Ac 18:3  20:34  1Co 4:12  2Co 11:9  1Th 4:11 
 * night.
  1Th 2:9 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:9-3:9

註釋:

 * Not.
  Mt 10:10  1Co 9:4-14  Ga 6:6  1Th 2:6 
 * to make.
  7  Joh 13:15  1Pe 2:21 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:10-3:10

註釋:

 * when.
  Lu 24:44  Joh 16:4  Ac 20:18 
 * that.
  Ge 3:19  Pr 13:4  20:4  21:25  24:30-34  1Th 4:11 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:11-3:11

註釋:

 * walk.
  6 
 * working.
  1Th 4:11  1Ti 5:13  1Pe 4:15 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:12-3:12

註釋:

 * we.
  6 
 * that with.
  Ge 49:14,15  Pr 17:1  Ec 4:6  Eph 4:28  1Th 4:11  1Ti 2:2 
 * eat.
  8  Lu 11:3 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:13-3:13

註釋:

 * ye.
  Isa 40:30,31  Mal 1:13  Ro 2:7  1Co 15:28  Ga 6:9,10  Php 1:9 
  1Th 4:1  Heb 12:3 
 * be not weary.  or, faint not.
  De 20:8  Ps 27:13  Isa 40:29  Zep 3:16  *marg: 
  Lu 18:1  2Co 4:1,16  Heb 12:5  Re 2:3 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:14-3:14

註釋:

 * obey.
  De 16:12  Pr 5:13  Zep 3:2  2Co 2:9  7:15  10:6  Php 2:12  1Th 4:8 
  Phm 1:21  Heb 13:17 
 * by this epistle, note that man.  or, signify that man by an
   epistle.
  6  Mt 18:17  Ro 16:17  1Co 5:9,11  Tit 3:10 
 * that he.
  Nu 12:14  Ezr 9:6  Ps 83:16  Jer 3:3  6:15  31:18-20  Eze 16:61-63 
  Eze 36:31,32  Lu 15:18-21 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:15-3:15

註釋:

 * count.
  Le 19:17,18  1Co 5:5  2Co 2:6-10  10:8  13:10  Ga 6:1  1Th 5:14 
  Jude 1:22,23 
 * admonish.
  Ps 141:5  Pr 9:9  25:12  Mt 18:15  1Co 4:14  Tit 3:10  Jas 5:19,20 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:16-3:16

註釋:

 * the Lord of.
  Ps 72:3,7  Isa 9:6,7  Zec 6:13  Lu 2:14  Joh 14:27  Ro 15:33  16:20 
  1Co 14:33  2Co 5:19-21  13:11  Eph 2:14-17  1Th 5:23  Heb 7:2  13:20 
 * give.
  Nu 6:26  Jud 6:24  *marg: 
  Ps 29:11  85:8-10  Isa 26:12  45:7  54:10  66:12  Hag 2:9  Joh 16:33 
  Ro 1:7  Php 4:7-9 
 * The Lord be.
  18  1Sa 17:37  20:13  Ps 46:7,11  Isa 8:10  Mt 1:23  28:20  2Ti 4:22 
  Phm 1:25 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:17-3:17

註釋:

 * with.
  1Co 16:21  Col 4:18 
 * the token.
  1:5  Jos 2:12  1Sa 17:18 

經文:

帖撒羅尼迦後書 3:18-3:18

註釋:

  Ro 16:20,24 



      CONCLUDING REMARKS ON THE EPISTLES TO THE THESSALONIANS.

 The First Epistle to the Thessalonians, it is generally agreed,
 was the earliest written of all St. Paul's epistles, whence we
 see the reason and propriety of his anxiety that it should be
 read in all the Christian churches of Macedonia--"I charge you
 by the Lord, that this Epistle be read unto all the holy
 brethren."  (ch. 5:27.)  "The existence of this clause,"
 observes Dr. Paley, "is an evidence of its authenticity;
 because, to produce a letter, purporting to have been publicly
 read in the church at Thessalonica, when no such letter had been
 read or heard of in that church, would be to produce an
 imposture destructive of itself....Either the Epistle was
 publicly read in the church of Thessalonica, during St. Paul's
 lifetime, or it was not.  If it was, no publication could be
 more authentic, no species of notoriety more unquestionable, no
 method of preserving the integrity of the copy more secure....If
 it was not, the clause would remain a standing condemnation of
 the forgery, and one would suppose, an invincible impediment to
 its success."  Its genuineness, however, has never been
 disputed; and it has been universally received in the Christian
 church, as the inspired production of St. Paul, from the
 earliest period to the present day.  The circumstance of this
 injunction being given, in the first epistle which the Apostle
 wrote, also implies a strong and avowed claim to the character
 of an inspired writer; as in fact it placed his writings on the
 same ground with those of Moses and the ancient prophets.  The
 second Epistle, besides those marks of genuineness and authority
 which it possesses in common with the others, bears the highest
 evidence of its divine inspiration, in the representation which
 it contains of the papal power, under the characters of "the Man
 of sin," and the "Mystery of iniquity."  The true Christian
 worship is the worship of the one only God, through the one only
 Mediator, the man Christ Jesus; and from this worship the church
 of Rome has most notoriously departed, by substituting other
 mediators, invocating and adoring saints and angels, worshipping
 images, adoring the host, etc.  It follows, therefore, that "the
 Man of sin" is the Pope; not only on account of the disgraceful
 lives of many of them, but by means of their scandalous
 doctrines and principles; dispensing with the most necessary
 duties, selling pardons and indulgences for the most abominable
 crimes, and perverting the worship of God to the grossest
 superstition and idolatry.  It was evidently the chief design of
 the Apostle, in writing to the Thessalonians, to confirm them in
 the faith, to animate them to a courageous profession of the
 Gospel, and to the practice of all the duties of Christianity;
 but to suppose, with Dr. Macknight, that he intended to prove
 the divine authority of Christianity by a chain of regular
 arguments, in which he answered the several objections which the
 heathen philosophers are supposed to have advanced, seems quite
 foreign to the nature of the epistles, and to be grounded on a
 mistaken notion, that the philosophers designed at so early a
 period to enter on a regular disputation with the Christians,
 when in fact they derided them as enthusiasts, and branded their
 doctrines as "foolishness."  In pursuance of his grand object,
 "it is remarkable," says Dr. Doddridge, "with how much address
 he improves all the influence which his zeal and fidelity in
 their service must naturally give him, to inculcate upon them
 the precepts of the gospel, and persuade them to act agreeably
 to their sacred character.  This was the grand point he always
 kept in view, and to which every thing else was made
 subservient.  Nothing appears, in any part of his writings, like
 a design to establish his own reputation, or to make use of his
 ascendancy over his Christian friends to answer any secular
 purposes of his own.  On the contrary, in this and in his other
 epistles, he discovers a most generous, disinterested regard for
 their welfare, expressly disclaiming any authority over their
 consciences, and appealing to them, that he had chose to
 maintain himself by the labour of this own hands, rather than
 prove burdensome to the churches, or give the least colour of
 suspicion, that, under zeal for the gospel, and concern for
 their improvement, he was carrying on any private sinister view.
 The discovery of so excellent a temper must be allowed to carry
 with it a strong presumptive argument in favour of the doctrines
 he taught....And, indeed, whoever reads St. Paul's epistles with
 attention, and enters into the spirit with which they were
 written, will discern such intrinsic characters of their
 genuineness, and the divine authority of the doctrines they
 contain, as will, perhaps, produce in him a stronger conviction
 than all the external evidence with which they are attended."
 These remarks are exceedingly well grounded and highly
 important; and to no other Epistles can they apply with greater
 force than the present most excellent productions of the
 inspired Apostle.  The last two chapters of the first epistle,
 in particular, as Dr. A. Clarke justly observes, "are certainly
 among the most important, and the most sublime in the New
 Testament.  The general judgment, the resurrection of the body,
 and the states of the quick and the dead, the unrighteous and
 the just, are described, concisely indeed, but they are
 exhibited in the most striking and affecting points of view."

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