2 Thessalonians 3

When Paul preached against Diana, all the city was in an uproar (Acts 19). This may stir up prayer for Christ's ministers, that they may be able to withstand the assaults of the enemy (2 Thessalonians 3:2). 3. Christ gives the Apostles their instructions; of which this was one i…

'Tis as well a duty to labor six days, as to keep holy rest on the seventh day; six days shall you labor. (2 Thessalonians 3:11) We hear there are some among you walking disorderly, [illegible], working not at all. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus,…

Instead of living by faith, they live by their shifts. The Apostle exhorts, that every man eat of his own bread (2 Thessalonians 3:12). The thief does not eat of his own bread, but of another's.

(1.) They do not God's will entirely; all God's will; they will obey God in some things, but not in others; as if a servant should do some of your work you set him about, but not the rest: Jehu destroyed the idolatry of Baal, but let the golden calves of Jeroboam stand (2 Kings…

Here also is condemned all oppression, stealing, lying, cogging, and other such deceitful means which men use to get wealth and goods. Many think it no sin to provide for their families in such order, but in saying this petition they pray against themselves (2 Thessalonians 3:10…

Therefore, also we are to pray for them, that the Lord would keep them, and furnish them with gifts, and withal make them faithful. For where vision fails the people are left naked, says Solomon (2 Thessalonians 3:1): Brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may have a fr…

Deuteronomy 28:22: Poverty is numbered among the curses of the law, none of which are to be vowed. And it is the rule of the Holy Spirit in 2 Thessalonians 3:10: He that will not labor in some special and warrantable calling must not eat. And verse 12: I exhort that they work wi…

Error 2. We tacitly condemn the wisdom of God in our murmuring under the cross; cannot Christ lead his people to heaven a better way, than through the swords, spears and teeth of malignants, and must new armies of Irish murderers land on us again? These would be considered: 1. P…

In spiritual things this is very usual; men hope to have the end without the means. In temporal things we will soon confess there must be means used, for if any would not work, neither should he eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). In warfare no victory is to be hoped for without fightin…

And without this Cooperation man's will brings forth no good action: no more than the tree which is apt to bring forth fruit, yields fruit indeed, till it have the presence and cooperation of the Sun, and that in the season of the year. The third, is direction, whereby the spiri…

But the reason being taken from spiritual brethren, such as are not only brethren in the flesh, but also in the Lord, having the same God for their father, the same Church for their mother, Christ for their elder brother, being begotten by the same immortal seed, washed by the l…

But we must observe the source of this evil, which Christ points out, namely, that many lose courage, because through their weakness they are unable to stem the flood of iniquity which flows on every hand. Christ requires from his followers, on the other hand, such courage as to…

And those to whom it is not so given, have not the Power intended. Besides, Faith is not of all, have not Faith, 2 Thess. 3. 2. But it is peculiar to the Elect of God, Tit. 1. 1.

Now the Providence of God with respect to our civil Callings, may be displayed very takingly in the following particulars. In directing you to a Calling in your Youth, and not suffering you to live an idle, useless and sinful life, as many do, who are but burthens to the Earth,…

(1) In miry places the water has not free passage, but stands and settles there. So it is with these barren souls; therefore the Apostle prays, that the Gospel may run and be glorified (2 Thessalonians 3:1). The word is said to run, when it meets with no stop, Cum libere propaga…

When Luther thought to redress the evil of his times, one told him abi in cellam et dic miserere nostri, go and cry Lord have mercy upon us, truly things seem past help and cure, I but go and urge the matter to God, that which is marvelous in our eyes, is not so in his; a man go…

Mr. Dod used to say, Love is better than law, for love is cheap, but law is chargeable. Those tradesmen are commonly observed to thrive most, that make the least noise, that with quietness work, and mind their own business (2 Thessalonians 3:12). 3. It has a good influence upon…

All those bold and daring things which are spoken against religion, are either groundless and unproved calumnies, or very unjust and unfair representations. Hence the enemies of religion are said to be absurd and unreasonable men (2 Thessalonians 3:2). Men that while they cry up…

After John Huss was burnt, his adversaries got his heart, which was left untouched by the fire, and beat it with their staves. St. Paul in 2 Thess. 3:2 desires the brethren to pray, That they might be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; the word is, absurdmen. The malice…

2 Corinthians 13:14. 2 Thessalonians 3:17, 18. Grace, of various acceptations.

It is contrary to this to harbor idle-packs in a man's house: to give meat, and drink, and lodging to such as do no work at all. The Apostle expressly commanded, That if any man would not work, neither should he eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). These are not only a prey to the devil,…

Habitual grace needs actual influence; partly, that these graces may be applied, and excited to work. He gives, to will and to do (Philippians 2:13): God gives to do; that is, excites that strength you have, and carries it out to work; and then that it may be directed in work (2…

Sin let alone will do us further mischief. Secondly, as we have reason to pray to God with earnestness, because of our danger; so with confidence, because of God's undertaking (2 Thessalonians 3:3). The Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.

1. We need direction. The habits of grace are God's gifts, and the exercise of grace is another thing; to actuate, quicken, guide, and direct it (2 Thessalonians 3:5): The Lord direct your hearts to the love of God. And so in prayer, and in honoring of God.

Grace in habit is not enough, but it must be actuated and directed. About the act there are two things: the Holy Spirit actuates the grace that is implanted, draws it forth into exercise; so it is said (Philippians 2:13), "It is God that works in you both to will and to do," tha…

Doct. 3. At such a time God must be dealt with about it, upon two grounds. 1. Because God has a great hand in the judgment, in the outward case, want of liberty, nothing falls out without his providence, he sees fit sometimes to exercise his people with unreasonable men, for all…

It is the work of God only to teach us how to apply the rule so as to choose him for our portion. Or secondly, as to acts and orderly exercise of any particular grace, so (2 Thessalonians 3:5): The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Ch…

2. As to guiding the affliction both to measure and continuance, that it may do us good and not harm; (1 Corinthians 10:13) God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able to bear, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you ma…

2. For the preservation of our bodies to the heavenly kingdom; we have many discouragements within and without, but while we persevere in our duty, God will not fail us; his word is as sure as the earth. (2 Thessalonians 3:3) The Lord is faithful, who shall establish and keep yo…

Secondly, if they be our equals, over whom we have no jurisdiction, nor coercive power, we are then to rebuke them, if they continue obstinate after Christian admonition, by withdrawing ourselves from all necessary converse with them; not so as to deny them the offices of civili…

Though therefore any should think it strange, that you run not with them to the same excess of riot, and speak evil of you (1 Peter 4:4), answer them as Joseph did his mistress, how shall I do this wickedness and sin against God (Genesis 39:9), and tell them as the apostle does…

Most deal with their ministers, as Israel did with Moses; he prayed for them, and worked miracles for them, yet they were still quarreling with him, and sometimes ready to take away his life. Use 3. If the fury of the world be against the ministers, then you that fear God had be…

The frame could not hold it else, it must dissolve. The Apostle therefore praying for the Thessalonians, that God would direct their hearts into the love of himself (which could not but enflame their souls with a desire of a perfect vision, and enjoyment) presently adds, and int…

Another argument may be taken from the effect and fruit of the death of Christ for sanctification: if the blood of Jesus Christ washes, purges, cleanses, and sanctifies those for whom it was shed, or for whom he was a sacrifice, then certainly he died, shed his blood, or was a s…

But, that even blind men also may with groping find out their deceits, I will point them out with a very clear similitude. If any man cavil that infants ought to have food taken from them, upon this pretense that the Apostle suffers none to eat but them that labor (2 Thessalonia…

8th Commandment: You shall not steal. He breaks this commandment: who lives in no calling (1 Thessalonians 3:11); who neglects his calling (Jeremiah 48:10); who spends his wealth in riot and provides not for his family (1 Timothy 5:8); who is not content with his estate but seek…

Let all the stream run to turn about your mill; the keeping your thoughts to that channel, keeps them from overflowing into vanity and folly. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 — those that labor not are busybodies. And 1 Timothy 5:13 — idle, wandering — they are not only called idle, because…