the Fourth Week after Easter
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Bible Commentaries
Smith's Writings Smith's Writings
- 1 Thessalonians
by Hamilton Smith
First Epistle to the Thessalonians.
Expository Notes by H. Smith.
In the different epistles, God has made rich provision of spiritual food suitable for every stage of christian growth. The Thessalonian Epistles were written to the young in the faith. Thus we do not find unfolding of the counsels of God, or of the Mystery of the Church, as in the Ephesians and Colossians. In the First Epistle we have the great practical features of Christianity - faith, love, and hope - which should mark the youngest as well as the oldest. Moreover, the Apostle comforts them in their trials, and removes a difficulty that had arisen as to the Christian's hope - the coming of the Lord for His saints.
The Apostle dwells in 1 Thess. 1 on the practical fruits of the gospel received in the power of the Spirit; in 1 Thess. 2 on God's special care for the lambs of His flock, in leading them through every trial; in 1 Thess. 3 on how God uses the trials by the way for strengthening of faith, love, and holiness; in 1 Thess. 4 on the walk pleasing to God, in view of the coming of the Lord for His saints; in 1 Thess. 5 on exhortations as to the conduct consistent with walking in the light of the day of the Lord, as well as general exhortations and warnings as to dangers that beset the christian path.
