The Key of the Bible, Biblical commentary · Part 2 · Section 2 · Subsection 8 – Subsection 9
I Thessal:
THe first Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the THESSALONIANS. So denominated, because written by Paul to the Church of the Thessalonians. 1 Thes. 1 1. And they from their City Thess. which was the Metropolis or mother City in Macedonia, Scituate on the edge of the Macedonian shore: Anciently it was called Thermae, and thence the Thermaick Haven. Suidas.Some give this reason of the change of the name; Philip King of Macedonia in a memorable Battle in these parts overcame the People of Thessaly. For monument of which Victory, the neighbouring City was reedified and enlarged, and named Thessalonica; as it were, foreign i. e. put the victory to another. It was sold by Andronicus to the Venetians, but they did not long enjoy it; for it was; as other parts of Greece, quickly possessed by the Turks. Is now a famous Empory for Indian Marchandice, (but under the Dominion and Idolatry of the Turks) known by the name of Saloniki. Maginus in Geograph.
In Thessalonica God pleased to plant a Church by the Ministry of Paul and Silas, converting both Jewes and Greeks. See the History of it, Act. 17.1. &c. There the unbelieving Jewes mov'd with envy, raised tumults against Paul and Silas, and also against the Saint… that entertained them, Iason &c. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. So that Paul and Silas were glad to fly away by night to Berea ver. 10.
Occasion (as may appeare from Act. 17. And 1 Thes. 2. & 3, 1.2,) was this. Paul being forced by tumults to depart from Thessalonica, and fearing least the Church there newly collected should be hazzarded through feare of troubles and persecutions; and going to Athens, he sends Timothy back to confirme the Thessalonians in the Faith, and report their stare to him. Where…on Timothy informing him of their constancy notwithstanding persecutions, and of all their affaires, from Athenes Paul wrote this Epistle to them for their encouragement. when this Epistle was written, see in Table above.
Scope. To encourage the Thessalonians both to constant perseverance in Faith and Grace received, notwithstanding all tribulations befalling him or them; As also to make progresse and go on therein unto perfection.
Principall parts, To this end are,
I. The Inscription of the Epistle, c. 1.1.
II. The substance or Subject matter of the Epistle is Hortatory. He Exhorteth,
I. To constancy and perseverance in the Faith, c, 1.2. to c. 4. Whereunto he urges them.
1. From the consideration of God; rich grace bestowed on them by the Apostles Ministry, and the generall fame thereof in the Churches of Christ, c. 1.2. to the end.
2. From the graciousnesse of the instrument whereby they were converted, viz. Paul whose Boldnesse, Sincerity, Meeknes and Amiable behaviour to them is declared c. 2.10. to 13.
3. From their own experience of the efficacy of the Doctrine of Faith, c. 2.13. to the end.
4. From the Apostles care and tendernesse over them, who (though he could not come himselfe to them, yet) sent Timothy to them to comfort and establish them, c. 3.
II. To progresse in grace towards perfection therein 1. In generall, c. 4.1, 2, 3.2. In particular, he exhorts them to certaine duties (wherein perhaps they were Defective, or Endangered) as 1 Chastity, c. 4.4, 5. 2 Justice, ver. 6, 7, 8. 3 Brotherly love, ver. 9, 10. 4 Care of quiet and peaceable living together in Christian Society, ver. 11, 12. 5 Moderation of sorrow and lamentation for the dead in Christ; declaring what shall become of the Dead, what of the Living at Christs second coming, v. 13. to the end. After this he meets with that curious question that might be moved, but when shall these things be? Shewing it shall be sudden, though the particular time when, is not known; therefore they should alwayes be prepared, c. 5.1, to 12. 6 Due respect to the publique Ministry over them c. 5.12, 13. 7 And he shuts up his Exhortation with an heap of Christian duties concisely couched together, ver. 14. to 23.
III. The conclusion of the Epistle, with Supplications for them, Salutations, and Valediction ver. 23. to the end.
II Thessal.
THe second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the THESSALONIANS. So stiled for the Reason above. When and Whence this Epistle was written, See in former Table.
Occasion seems to be some information, or Reports which the Apostle had received; touching their Persecutions for the Gospel; Touching false teachers, who insinuated to them (perhaps taking occasion by some passages of the former Epistle about Christs second coming) that Christs second coming wo…ld be speedily, in that age; and touching exorbitant walking of some, in idlenesse; Church-discipline mean while sleeping. The whole current of the Epistle intimates this occasion.
Scope. 1 To comfort the Church of Thessalonians against all Persecutions for Christ. 2 To informe them of their mistake about the second coming of Christ, that it could not be presently. And 3 to exhort them to divers Christian duties.
Principall parts, to these ends.
I. Inscription and salutation, c. 1.1, 2.
II. Body Of the Epistle, being
1. Consolatory against all sufferings and persecutions c. 1.3. to the end.
2. Monitory, warning them against that erroneous Doctrine which any false Teachers might suggest unto them, …s if Christs Second coming were at hand: wherein he prophetically assures them that before Christs coming, there will be an Apostacy, and a Revelation of Antichrist that man of sin, c. 2.
3. Hortatory, wherein he peremptorily prescribes Reformation of certain corruptions in manners & practice among them, interlacing divers sharp reproofs thereof. Because he deales somewhat sharply with them, 1. He premiseth an insinuative preface wherein, 1▪ He begs their prayers. 2 Perswades himself confidently of their obedience. 3 And Prayes for them, c. 3.1. to 6.2. He prescribes the Reformation of two evils, viz. 1 The remissenesse of Church-discipline towards inordinate walkers, ver. 6. to 11. 2 The neglect of manuall labour by some contrary to the Apostles Rule, ver. 11. to 16.
III. The conclusion of the whole Epistle, with Supplications, Salutations and Valediction, ver. 16. to the end.
Thus farre of Pauls nine generall Epistles, written to whole Churches: Next come to be considered Pauls foure particular Epistles, directed to certaine particular persons, viz. Two to Timothy, and one to Titus about affairs Ecclesiasticall; and one to Philemon about matters Oeconomicall. Those Epistles to Timothy and Titus, Augustine would have him that is a Teacher in the Church to have alwayes before his eyes▪ Augustin. de Doctrin Christian. l. 4▪ c. 16.