Jivi•inn• nf time. In preaenoe, not in heart. aenee, indeed, the hindrances arose In the Similar expressions are common in Paul's we.y of God's providence, for under its Epistles. deuotin.g his love for hie converts; ciiz-ection a.11 the journeys of Paul were thus : "Though I be absent in the flesh, yet placed, and Satnn could not h:we hin,lered l am with you in the spirit" (Col. ii. 5). him from prcachi11~ the gospel in nny quzu·- Endeavoured the more abundantly to see ter, unless by tl,e Divine permission (comp. your faoe with great deeire ; because our A~ts xvi. 7 ; Rom. i. 18). separation has been so short. As has heen Ver. 19.-For wh11.t is our hope, or joy, well observed, " Universal experience or crown of rejoioing 1 or, glorying. The testiffl's that the p•in of sepa1'lltin11 from 11.p ..stle calls the Thessnlonians his ·• hope," friends and the desire to return t.o thl'm are not berause he a.nticip11.tes any rewa.rd more vivid, the more freehlv the remem- from their conversion, or bec11.use their con- brance of the departure is on the mind " version would counterbal11.noe hie former per- (Liinemann). secution of the Christians, but beo11.uee he Ver. 18.-Wherefore we would havo oome hoped to nwet them in glory ; he calls them 1lllto you, even I Paul Paul distinguishes his "joy," because he would rejoice with him11elf, because in all probability his com- them in their fin11.l ealv11.Lion; and he calls panions, Silas and Timothy, had been at them his "crown of rejoicing," because he Thessa.lonioa after he had left it. Onoe and rq~urds them as trophies of the victory of a.pin. Not userl indefinitely, but referring the gospel which he preached. Similarly tc, two separate attempts which Paul made he oalls the Philippians "his joy and t, rHil'it the Thessalonia.us. But Sa.tan crown" (Phil. iv. l). Are not even ye; bincierec! us ; denoting, not the enemies of or rather, are not ye also, f-ye a.a well as C1.11idtia.r.ity, but the devil, the o.uthor of other Christians? In the preeenoe of- n.11 the hindmncee in the kingdom of God. before---our Lord J'esus Christ at his ooming; Paw here r~cognizes the personality of at the restoration of his Messianic kingdom. S..ta.L, as the author of all evil, the great Ver. 20.-For ye are our glory and joy, opponeitt ot God and Christ. We are not Some refer this verse to the present, and ir.formftd by what instrumentality this l,in- the former verse to the future ; not merely dre.noe of Sa.tan took place, It may refer at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but tc thf: V&rious persecutions age.inst Paul, even now ye are our glory and joy. But whicl, prevented him returning to Theesa- there is no reason for this distinction ; the lonica, and especia.lly to that persecution words are merely confirmatory, and a.dded reiaed a.,o-ainst him in Bercea. by the Jewd from the fulness of 1.he apostle'• emotio111. of Th-1onica (Aota xvii 13). In one
HOMILETICS. Vera. 6, 6.-Motives of action. Ma.n judges us by our outward conduot; God by our internal disposition. The apostle appeals to God as a witness of the purity of his motives. He asserts that he was free from all desire of personal fame or interest. Can we, make the sawe appeal and the same assertion? l. Me we influenced by unworthy motives? ls covetousness, the de,;ire of fame, or the love of power, the mainspring of , ,ur life t 2. Or are we influenced by worthy motives? Do we seek to please, not maL. but God? Is the glory of God in Christ Jesus the chief end of our life and actions?
Vere. 7, 11, 19.-77ie true pastorate. 1. Its qualitie.~. Paul compares himself to a nurlling mother and a father. A miuisler should resemble the one in lzis tenderrz,iss anrl loving sympathy, and ';he other in his wisdom and firmness. 2. Its mode: exhorting, comforting, a11d charging. 3. it, reward: (1) conversion of the hearers; (2) a joyful rneeiing with the,u at the coming of the Lord.
Ver. 12.-0ur high and holy calling. We ought to walk worthy of God, so as: 1. To obey God's laws. 2. To imitate God's moral perfocti<1n8. 3. To enjoy God's fellow- ship. 4. To adom God's gospel 6. To promote God's ea.use. 6. To live to God't glory.
Ver. 18.- 'l'Ae gospel a Divine revelation. 1. Negativd,y. The gospel la not the word of man ; not tue result ol ·man's wisdom; does not spring from a development of hulDINI tholll!:ht; ite doctrines are not within thfl sphere of the human intelleo&. 2, OH, IJ. 1-20.] 'l'Irn l•'J,,S'l' EP18'l LE To '!'Hg 'l'HESSALONIANS. at
Positively. The ~ospel i1 the Word of God. This seen from lta origin, its oontenta, and its em en cy.
Ver. 16.-Bewa,·e of opposiny the gospel. The Jews did BO. They endeavoured to prevent the apusile preacbinµ: to the I ;,,nt.iles, and wrath came npon them to the utter- most ; and so will all opl'osition made t.o the gos[Jtd terminare (Ps. ii. 6, 9). If we ourselves will not emhrace the ~ospel, let us beware of throwing ob~tacles in the way of those who would. Especially let parents beware how they act. toward t.helr children when under religious impressions.
Ver. 18.-The oppo.,ilion of Satan to the gospel.. "Satan hinilered us.• I. 'fHE PERSONALITY 0I' SATAN. Christ and ::-iatan, the heads of two opposite empiree -the one the kingdom of light, and the other the kingclom of darkness; the one t.he source of all that is good, ,ind the other the source of a.I 1 that is evil. II. THE AGENCY OF 8A1'AN. He hinclereth the spread of the gospel. He worketh in the children of disobedience. Mode of his operation; the instruments which he employs. III. 'I'HE FINAi, VICTORY OF CHRIST OVER SATAN. Though Satan hinderet.h t.he gospel, yet it is only for a sea.son. "'!'he God of peace shall bruise Satan under our feet. shortly" (Rom. xvi. 20).