Ver. 14.-Mutual duties of Church members. The Church must act as well a11 its pastors. I. ADMONITION TO THE DISORDERLY. "Warn them that are unrulv." 1. The unruly are, literally, those who break rank, taking ezceptional courses, to the injury of the peace or unity of the Church. Probably the apostle refers to the unhinging effect of the error concerning the near approach of the advent, leading indivirluals to abandon work and loiter about in a sort of meddlesome idleness. 2. Such person., need to be warned, even with sharpness of reproof, yet in love ; for " God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, in all the Churches of the saints" (1 Cor. xiv. 33). Warn them to" do their own business, and work with their own hands.n II. CoMFORT FOR THE FEEBLE-MINDED. "Comfort the feeble-minded." 1. These persons were overburdened with sorrow on account of the dead, unde'I' the injluenCJJ of error respecting their safety. They were not intellectually feeble, but had become dispirited and desponding through their failure to realize the hope of the resurrection at the advent. 2. They were to be comforted; not rebuked or admonished for their sins, but exhorted lovingly in the truth. It is the Lord's way "to raise them that are bowed down," and "to comfort them which be in any trouble" (2 Cor. i. 4). There is "consolation in Christ." III. SUPPORT FOR THE WEAK. "Support the weak." 1. TM weak in faith, or other Christian graces, who may still feel the lingering influence of Jewish prejudice and pagan clelusiuns. We are to "bear the infirmities of the weak." 2. They muat be sustained, not despised for their weakness. "Be eyes to the blind; be feet to the lame." 'l'hus "we fulfil the Law of Christ." We must "lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees" (Heb. xii. 12, 13). IV. PATIENCE TOWARD ALL MEN. "Be patient toward all men." 1. Patience or long-.,u.ffering, in view of the perverseness, or defects, or follies, or sins of men. It points to a temper not easily moved or offended, to a disposition to bear and forbear after the example of that Father who" is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. iii. 9). This disposition greatly promotes the comfort and usefulness of life. 2. It is to be exercised toward all men. Even to those outside the household of faith who may gainsay or persecute the truth. -T.O. Ver. 15.-Abstine11eefrom revenge, and the steadfast pursuit of good. To a people freshly emerged out of paganism this counsel was still most appropriate, for the Greeks were remarkable for their undying feuds. I. wARNING AGAINST RETALIATION. "See that none render evil for evil to any man." 1. Retaliation is condemned both by the Old and the New Testaments. (Lev. xix. 18; Hom. xii. 19.) 2. It is condemned by Christ's beautiful ezample of forbearance. (1 Pet. ii. 23.) "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not." 3. It is expressly rcbuke,i by Christ in the case of the discip,es James and John. (Luke ix. 54, 55.) 4. lt springs from a spiteful heart. (Ezek. xxv. 15.) 5. II indicates 11 want of trust in God. (Prov. xx. 22.) II. INoULOATION OF THE PURsurr OF oooD. "But ever follow that which iB good, both among yourselves and to all men." l\elievers are not to resist evil, but to return good for evil-to overcome evil with good. 1. The good to be done is after the e-;.umple of Christ, who" went about every day doing good." 2. It ia don11 in virtue of union with Christ. (John xv, 4, 6; Phil. i. 11.) 3. lt is the preordained pathway of God's children. (Eph. ii.10.) 4. Christian, ought to provoke each other to good. (Heh. L 24.) 112 THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. [oe. v. 1-28.
6. It u a grand argument forth£ gospel,, (lfatt. v. 16.) 6. It ia to be catholic in it., spin"t ; for it is to be done, not to believers only, but "to all men." The believer is to have "brotherly kinciness" as :,veil_ as "love•• (2 Pet. i. J). 7. It i$ to be earnest/1, 1mrmed. " Follow after that _which IS ~ood." (1) Because 1t glorifie!' God (Matt. v. 16). (2) Because God remembers 1t (Heh. v1. 9, 10). (3) Because it i~ an evidence of faith (,las. ii. 14-20). (4) Because it shall be brought into jucigment (2 Cor. v. 10).-T. C.
Ver. 16.-TM duty and the privil,ege of constant joy. "Rejoice evermore." (See bomiletical bint.s on Phil. iii. 1; iv. 4.)-'l'. C.