v. 8)--see Him now as the inner eye of the soul is clarified, and see
Him at His coming in power and great glory.
+II. That sanctification is a Divine work.+--1. _The believer is called to sanctification by the God of unswerving fidelity._ "Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it" (ver. 24). God is faithful to all His promises of help. Every promise is backed by the whole force of His omnipotence--"who also will do it." There is nothing greater in the universe than the will of God; it actuates His power and ensures His faithfulness. Entire sanctification is therefore no impossible attainment. God calls, not to mock and disappoint, but to bless.
2. _The believer is called to sanctification by the God of peace._--"The very God of peace sanctify you" (ver. 23). Peace and sanctification are inseparable; without holiness there can be no peace. God is the author and giver of peace, and delights in peace. Mr. Howels, of Long Acre chapel, used to say that if he saw two dogs at peace with each other, he saw there "the very God of peace"; that one atom of peace left in a world of war with God is a truce of the lingering mercy and favouring goodness of God. Peace is a reflection of the Divine presence on earth. The Thessalonians had been enjoined to cultivate mutual peace and harmony (ver. 13), and personal holiness had been earnestly recommended (ch. iv. 3). They are now taught where peace and holiness are to be found. Both are gifts of God. We have need of peace--peace of conscience, peace from the rage and fury of the world, peace and love among those who are of the household of God.
+III. That sanctification is obtained by prayer.+--The loftiest duty is possible with grace; the least is all but impossible without it. All grace must be sought of God in prayer. The virtue and power of all exhortation and teaching depend on the Divine blessing. What God encourages us to seek in prayer is possible of attainment in actual experience. Prayer is the expression of wants we feel. It is the power by which we reach he highest spiritual excellence.
+Lessons.+--1. _Cherish the highest ideal of the Christian character._ 2. _Pray for Divine help in its attainment._
_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._
Ver. 23. _The Sanctification of the Complete Man._
+I. Its meaning.+--1. _There is a great trinity of powers--body, soul, and spirit--linking man with three different worlds._ The physical, the intellectual, the spiritual. 2. _These three ranges of powers become gateways of temptation from three different worlds, and unless they are all consecrated we are never free from danger._
+II. Its attainment.+--1. _We cannot consecrate ourselves._ 2. _God preserves the entire sanctification by imparting peace._
+III. The motive for endeavouring to attain it.+--"Until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1. _A day of manifestation when the shadows and unrealities of time will fade in the full morning of eternity._ 2. _A day of everlasting gatherings.--E. L. Hull._
_The Trinity._
+I. The first power or consciousness in which God is made known to us is as the Father, the Author of our being.+
+II. The second way through which the personality and consciousness of God has been revealed to us is as the Son.+
+III. A closer and a more enduring relation in which God stands to us is the relation of the Spirit.+--It is the graces of the Spirit which harmonise the man and make him one; and that is the end, aim, and object of all the Gospel.--_F. W. Robertson._
Ver. 24. _The Faith of Man and the Faithfulness of God._
+I. The highest object of man's existence is to hold communion with his God.+
+II. Rightly to believe in Christ is to know and feel this communion.+
+III. The unalterable faithfulness of God is a fidelity to His own gracious engagement.+
+IV. The prominent character of God is unshaken stability.+
+V. God is faithful to his warnings as He is to His promises.+--_A. Butler._
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 25-28.
_Closing Words._
+I. An important request.+--"Brethren, pray for us" (ver. 25). The most gifted saints have need of the prayers of God's people. The great apostle, much as he prayed for himself, did not himself feel independent of the intercessions of others. His large experience of the power of prayer made him only the more anxious to strengthen his personal interest at the throne of grace. The least gifted saint in other respects may be mighty in prayer. Believers are so bound together as to be dependent on one another, and all on the great Head of the Church. The richest inheritance of the anxious minister are the prayers of his people. A praying Church will never have to complain of an insipid and fruitless ministry.
+II. A Christian salutation.+--"Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss" (ver. 26). The "kiss of charity" in those days was a token of friendship and goodwill, something equivalent to the shaking of hands in modern times. In the Syrian Church, before communion, each takes his neighbour's right hand, and gives the salutation, "Peace!" The greeting was "a holy kiss"--pure and chaste, such as one Christian may give to another, and not sin. Christianity is the soul of courtesy. "Forms may change; but the same spirit of brotherly love and cordial recognition of one another, under whatever diversities of temporal circumstances, should ever characterise those who know the love of a common Saviour, and have entered into the communion of saints" (_Lillie_). Let the love of the heart toward all the brethren be practically manifested in becoming acts of courtesy and goodwill.
+III. A solemn direction.+--"I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren" (ver. 27). The first epistle to the Thessalonians is, in point of time, the earliest of all the canonical books of the New Testament; and here is a solemn injunction that it be publicly read to all the people. The Romish Church, if she does not deny, very unwillingly allows the reading of Scripture by the laity. "What Rome forbids under an anathema," says Bengel, "St. Paul enjoins with an adjuration." None should be debarred from reading or hearing the Word of God. "Women and children are not to be excluded" (Deut. xxxi. 12; Josh. viii. 34, 35). Lois and Eunice knew the Bible and taught it to the child Timothy. The Berœans had free access to the sacred volume, and searched it at their pleasure. The public reading of the Holy Scriptures is an important means of edifying the Church; it is enforced by apostolic authority; it familiarises the mind with the greatest truths; it keeps alive the enthusiasm of the Church for aggressive purposes.
+IV. A gracious benediction.+--"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen" (ver. 28). The epistle closes, as it began, with blessing. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is the fountain of all the good that has flowed in upon and enriched the human race. The three great features of that grace--pardon, peace, holiness--are clearly elucidated in this epistle. The fountain is inexhaustible. Its streams of blessing are ever available for needy, perishing man.
+Lessons.+--1. _Prayer is an ever-present duty._ 2. _Christianity hallows all the true courtesies of life._ 3. _The Word of God should be constantly read and studied._ 4. _The best blessings issue from the inexhaustible grace of our Lord Jesus Christ._
_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._
Ver. 25. _Pray for Us._
+I. We greatly need your prayers.+--Our state, like yours, is a state of probation. We have uncommon wants. We have a strict account to give.
+II. We request your prayers.+--1. _You can pray._ 2. _God will hear you._
+III. We may reasonably expect that you will pray for us.+--1. _We pray for you._ 2. _We are labouring for your advantage._
+IV. We are warranted to expect it from your own professions.+--1. _You profess a high degree, not only of respect, but of love to your preachers._ 2. _Some of you can scarcely give us any other proof of it._
+V. It will be to your advantage to pray for us.+--1. _It will prepare your minds for hearing us._ 2. _This will make us useful to you._
+VI. Your prayers will make us more useful to others.+
Ver. 27. _The Public Reading of the Scriptures._
+I. To debar the Lord's people from acquainting themselves with Scripture is a great sin.+--Scripture should be translated into the native tongue of every nation where Christ has a Church, that people may read it, hear it, and be acquainted with it. They ought diligently to improve all helps to acquaint them with the mind of God revealed in Scripture and look upon their doing so as a duty of greatest importance and weight.
+II. Ministers and Church guides should see that the people of their charge be acquainted with Scripture.+--Should invite them to read it in secret and in their families, and use their influence that children of both sexes be trained up at schools to read the Lord's words distinctly in their own native language.
+III. Scripture should be publicly read to God's people assembled together for His worship.+--Even though not immediately expounded and applied, the reading of God's Word allows it to speak for itself and impress its own Divine authority.--_Fergusson._
* * * * * * * *
+Transcriber's Notes+
- Page 483, Introduction, apply RC to "Gospel."
- Page 484, Contents, apply RC to "Gospel."
- Page 485, notes on chapter i., verse 1, apply RC to "Gospel." Verse 5, apply RC to "Gospel." Verse 8, apply RC to "Word" (twice). Verse 10, change "Lord's return" to "lord's," referring to the traveler spoken of in the parable.
- Page 486, lesson "Phases," introduction, apply RC to "Gospel." Point I, change "first person plural" to "first-person plural"; apply RC to "Divine." Point II 1, apply RC to "Divinely"; add "John xvii. 21" reference; apply RC to "Divine" (thrice), "Word," and "Divine." Point II 2, apply RC to "Divinely."
- Page 487, same lesson, point III 1, change "finding i#" to "finding it"; add comma to "So our." Point III 2, apply RC to "Divine"; add "Eph. ii. 15" reference. Application ("Lessons"), point 1, apply RC to "Gospel."
- Page 488, lesson "Thanksgiving," introduction, remove comma from "epistles, and." Point I 1, add comma to "sees and"; add "James ii. 26" reference. Point I 4, apply RC to "Divine."
- Page 489, same lesson, point II, remove comma from "God, and." Point III, apply RC to "Gospel."
- Page 490, lesson "Gospel," introduction, apply RC to "Gospel." Point I, apply RC to "Gospel" (twice). Point I 1, apply RC to "Victim" and add "Isa. liii. 3" reference. Point I 2, apply RC to "Divine." Point I 3, apply RC to "Gospel's," "Divine," and "Gospel Word." Each of points II and II 1, apply RC to "Gospel."
- Page 491, application ("Lessons"), point 1, apply RC to "Gospel," "Word," and "Gospel." Point 2, apply RC to "Gospel" (twice). Germ note, each of points I, I 1, I 2, and II, apply RC to "Gospel." Point III 4, apply RC to "Word." Lesson "Practical Result," introduction, apply RC to "Divine." Point I, apply RC to "Gospel," "Word," and "Gospel." Point I 1, apply RC to "Word."
- Page 492, same lesson, point I 2, apply RC to "Word" and "Gospel." Point II, apply RC to "Gospel." Point II 2, apply RC to "Word" and "Gospel" (twice); remove comma from "Sea, and." Application ("Lessons"), point I, apply RC to "Gospel."
- Page 493, "Evidences" note, point IV, apply RC to "Gospel." "Power" note, point I, apply RC to "Gospel." Lesson "Conversion," point I, apply RC to "Gospel." Point I 1, apply RC to "Divine" (twice). Point I 2, apply RC to "Deity."
- Page 494, same lesson, application ("Lessons"), point 3, apply RC to "Gospel" and "Divinely." "Wrath to come" note, point I, apply RC to "Divine."
- Page 495, notes on chapter ii., verse 3, apply RC to "Gospel." Verse 4, apply RC to "Gospel" (twice). Verse 5, add em-dash before poem; add left double quotes to poem.
- Page 496, notes on chapter ii., verse 10, change "unblamably" to "unblameably." Verse 13, apply RC to "Word." Verse 15, in the Luke quotation, move the right double quote from after "Son" to after "off." Verse 18, remove comma from "one, and." Lesson "Essential Elements I," introduction, apply RC to "Gospel."
- Page 497, same lesson, introduction, apply RC to "Divine." Point I, apply RC to "Divine" and "Gospel"; remove comma from "invectives, or"; add "Matt. xxiii. 33" reference; apply RC to "Gospel." Point II, apply RC to "Gospel." Point III, apply RC to "Divinely" and "Divine"; remove comma from "God, and"; apply RC to "Divine"; add "Jer. xx. 9-11; Jer. i. 7" and "Phil. iv. 13" references.
- Page 498, germ note, each of points I and II 1, apply RC to "Gospel." Point II 3, change "His" to "his," referring to Paul. Lesson "Essential Elements II," in each of introduction and points I 2, I 3, II 1, apply RC to "Gospel." Point II 2, apply RC to "Divine" and "Gospel."
- Page 499, same lesson, point II 2, apply RC to "Divine"; add "2 Cor. ii. 17" reference. Point II 3, change "cloak" to "cloke" to match A.V. text. Application ("Lessons"), point 2, apply RC to "Divine."
- Page 500, lesson "Essential Elements III," point I 1, add "2 Tim. ii. 24, 25" reference. Point I 2, apply RC to "Divine." Point II 2, apply RC to "Divine."
- Page 501, same lesson, point II 2, add "Matt. xx. 28; Mark x. 45" and "Acts xx. 24" references. Lesson "Essential Elements IV," point I, add "1 Cor. ix. 13, 14" reference.
- Page 502, same lesson, point I, apply RC to "Gospel." Point II, change "unblamably" to "unblameably"; remove comma from "truth, and"; add left double quote before poem. Point III 2, apply RC to "Divine"; remove comma from "earth, and." Germ note, point I, apply RC to "Gospel." Point III 3, change "unblamable" to "unblameable."
- Page 503, lesson "Correct Estimate," introduction, apply RC to "Gospel" (twice). Point I, apply RC to "Gospel." Point II, apply RC to "Gospel" and "Divine." Point II 1, apply RC to "Gospel" and "Visitor." Before poem, add em-dash. After poem, apply RC to "Word." Point II 2, add "1 Peter i. 23" reference. Point II 4, apply RC to "Word." Add warning about the word "niggardly." Point III, apply RC to "Gospel."
- The break between pages 503 and 504 is in the word "effectually": effec|tually.
- Page 504, same lesson, point III, apply RC to "Word" (twice) and "Divine Word." Point IV, apply RC to "Gospel" and "Word"; add "Isa. ix. 3" reference. Application ("Lessons"), point 2, apply RC to "Gospel" and "Word." Point 3, apply RC to "Word." Germ note, each of points I and I 1, apply RC to "Word." Lesson "Suffering," introduction, remove comma from "character, and"; add comma to "So there."
- Page 505, same lesson, point I, add "Ps. lv. 12, 13," "2 Tim. iii. 12," and "Matt. x. 36" references. Point II, add "Matt. xx. 22" and "Matt. x. 38" references; apply RC to "Gospel." Application ("Lessons"), point 1, apply RC to "Gospel." Lesson "Fury," introduction, add comma to "vegetation the."
- Page 506, same lesson, introduction, apply RC to "Divine" and "Divinely." Point I 1, add "Matt. xxvii. 25" reference. Point II, apply RC to "Divine"; remove comma from "memory, and."
- Page 507, germ note, point III, apply RC to "Gospel." Lesson "Power," point I 1, add "Gen. xliii. 14" reference.
- Page 508, same lesson, point III 2, add "Ps. xvi. 11" reference. Application ("Lessons"), each of points 1 and 2, add comma to "therefore we."
- Page 509, "Joy" note, point I, apply RC to "Gospel." Notes on