Read Scripture In A Year: May 17

Passage 1: Joshua 1

(Jos 1:1) Nowe after the death of Moses the seruant of the Lord, the Lord spake vnto Ioshua the sonne of Nun, Moses minister, saying,

(Notes Reference) Now after the (a) death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,

The Argument - In this book the Holy Spirit sets most lively before us the accomplishment of God's promise, who as he promised by the mouth of Moses, that a prophet would be raised up to the people like him, whom he wills to obey, (Deu 18:15): so he shows himself true to his promise, as at all other times, and after the death of Moses his faithful servant, he raises up Joshua to be ruler and governor over his people, that they should neither be discouraged for lack of a captain, nor have reason to distrust God's promises later. So that Joshua might be confirmed in his calling, and the people also might have no opportunity to grudge, as though he were not approved by God: he is adorned with most excellent gifts and graces from God, both to govern the people with counsel, and to defend them with strength, that he lacks nothing which either belongs to a valiant captain, or a faithful minister. So he overcomes all difficulties, and brings them into the land of Canaan: which according to God's ordinance he divides among the people and appoints their borders: he established laws and ordinances, and put them in remembrance of God's revealed benefits, assuring them of his grace and favour if they obey God, and of his plagues and vengeance if they disobey him. This history represents Jesus Christ the true Joshua, who leads us into eternal happiness, signified to us by this land of Canaan. From the beginning of Genesis to the end of this book is 2567 years. For from Adam to the flood are 1656, from the flood to the departure of Abraham out of Chaldea 423, and from then to the death of Joseph 290. So that Genesis contains 2369, Exodus 140, the other three books of Moses 40, Joshua 27. So the whole makes 2576 years.

(a) The beginning of this book depends on the last chapter of Deuteronomy which was written by Joshua as a preparation to his history.

(Jos 1:2) Moses my seruant is dead: nowe therefore arise, go ouer this Iorden, thou, and all this people, vnto the lande which I giue them, that is, to ye children of Israel.

(Jos 1:3) Euery place that the sole of your foote shall treade vpon, haue I giuen you, as I said vnto Moses.

(Jos 1:4) From the wildernesse and this Lebanon euen vnto the great riuer, the riuer Perath: all the land of the Hittites, euen vnto the great Sea towarde the going downe of the sunne, shalbe your coast.

(Notes Reference) From the (b) wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the (c) Hittites, and unto the great (d) sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

(b) Of Zin, called Kadesh and Paran.

(d) Called Mediterranean.

(Jos 1:5) There shall not a man be able to withstande thee all the dayes of thy life: as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee: I will not leaue thee, nor forsake thee.

(Jos 1:6) Be strong and of a good courage: for vnto this people shalt thou deuide the lande for an inheritance, which I sware vnto their fathers to giue them.

(Jos 1:7) Onely be thou strong, and of a most valiant courage, that thou mayest obserue and doe according to all the Lawe which Moses my seruant hath commanded thee: thou shalt not turne away from it to the right hande, nor to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoeuer thou goest.

(Notes Reference) Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it [to] the right hand or [to] the left, that thou mayest (e) prosper whithersoever thou goest.

(e) He shows where true prosperity consists, even to obey the word of God.

(Jos 1:8) Let not this booke of the Law depart out of thy mouth, but meditate therin day and night, that thou mayest obserue and doe according to all that is written therein: for then shalt thou make thy way prosperous, and then shalt thou haue good successe.

(Notes Reference) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and (f) night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

(f) Showing that it is not possible to govern well, without the continual study of God's word.

(Jos 1:9) Haue not I commanded thee, saying, Be strong and of a good courage, feare not, nor be discouraged? for I the Lord thy God will be with thee, whithersoeuer thou goest.

(Jos 1:10) Then Ioshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,

(Jos 1:11) Passe through the hoste, and commande the people, saying, Prepare you vitailes: for after three dayes ye shall passe ouer this Iorden, to goe in to possesse the lande, which the Lord your God giueth you to possesse it.

(Notes Reference) Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for (g) within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.

(g) Meaning, from the day that this was proclaimed, (Jos 3:2).

(Jos 1:12) And vnto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to halfe the tribe of Manasseh spake Ioshua, saying,

(Jos 1:13) Remember the worde, which Moses the seruant of the Lord commanded you, saying, The Lord your God hath giuen you rest, and hath giuen you this land.

(Notes Reference) Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this (h) land.

(h) Which belonged to Sihon the king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan.

(Jos 1:14) Your wiues, your children, and your cattell shall remaine in the land which Moses gaue you on this side Iorden: but ye shall goe ouer before your brethren armed, all that be men of warre, and shall helpe them,

(Jos 1:15) Vntill the Lord haue giuen your brethren rest, as well as to you, and vntill they also shall possesse the land, which the Lord your God giueth them: then shall ye returne vnto the lande of your possession and shall possesse it, which land Moses the Lordes seruant gaue you on this side Iorden toward the sunne rising.

(Notes Reference) Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as [he hath given] you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD'S servant (i) gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.

(i) By your request, but yet by God's secret appointment, (Deu 33:21).

(Jos 1:16) Then they answered Ioshua, saying, Al that thou hast commanded vs, we will doe, and whithersoeuer thou sendest vs, we will goe.

(Jos 1:17) As we obeyed Moses in all things, so will we obey thee: onely the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.

(Notes Reference) According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, (k) so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.

(k) They not only promise to obey him as long as God is with him: but to help punish all who rebel against him.

(Jos 1:18) Whosoeuer shall rebell against thy commandement, and will not obey thy wordes in all that thou commaundest him, let him bee put to death: onely be strong and of good courage.

Passage 2: Isaiah 7

(Isa 7:1) And in the dayes of Ahaz, the sonne of Iotham, the sonne of Vzziah king of Iudah, Rezin the King of Aram came vp, and Pekah the sonne of Remaliah King of Israel, to Ierusalem to fight against it, but he could not ouercome it.

(Notes Reference) And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, [that] Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, (a) went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.

(a) That is, the second time: for in the first battle Ahaz was overcome.

(Isa 7:2) And it was tolde the house of Dauid, saying, Aram is ioyned with Ephraim: therefore his heart was moued, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest are moued by the winde.

(Notes Reference) And it was told the house of (b) David, saying, Syria is confederate with (c) Ephraim. And his heart was (d) moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest are moved with the wind.

(b) Meaning, the kings house.

(d) For fear.

(Isa 7:3) Then sayde the Lord vnto Isaiah, Goe foorth nowe to meete Ahaz (thou and Sheariashub thy sonne) at the ende of the conduit of the vpper poole, in the path of the fullers fielde,

(Notes Reference) Then said the LORD to Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and (e) Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field;

(e) That is to say, the rest will return which name Isaiah gave his son, to signify that the rest of the people would return out of their captivity.

(Isa 7:4) And say vnto him, Take heede, and be still: feare not, neither be faint hearted for the two tailes of these smoking firebrands, for the furious wrath of Rezin and of Aram, and of Remaliahs sonne:

(Notes Reference) And say to him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking (f) firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.

(f) Which have but a little smoke and will quickly be quenched.

(Isa 7:5) Because Aram hath taken wicked counsell against thee, and Ephraim, and Remaliahs sonne, saying,

(Isa 7:6) Let vs goe vp against Iudah, and let vs waken them vp, and make a breach therein for vs, and set a King in the mids thereof, euen the sonne of Tabeal.

(Notes Reference) Let us go up against Judah, and trouble it, and let us conquer it for ourselves and set a king in the midst of it, [even] the son of (g) Tabeal:

(g) Who was an Israelite, and as it seems, enemy to the house of David.

(Isa 7:7) Thus sayth the Lord God, It shall not stand, neither shall it be.

(Isa 7:8) For the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin: and within fiue and threescore yeere, Ephraim shalbe destroyed from being a people.

(Notes Reference) For the head of Syria [is] Damascus, and the head of Damascus [is] Rezin; and within (h) sixty five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.

(h) Counting from the 25 years of the reign of Uzziah, at which time Amos prophesied this thing, and now Isaiah confirms that the Israelites would be led into perpetual captivity, which came to pass 20 years after Isaiah gave this message.

(Isa 7:9) And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliahs sonne. If ye beleeue not, surely ye shall not be established.

(Isa 7:10) And the Lord spake againe vnto Ahaz, saying,

(Isa 7:11) Aske a signe for thee of the Lord thy God: aske it, either in the depth beneath or in the height aboue.

(Notes Reference) Ask thee (i) a sign from the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.

(i) For the confirmation of this thing that your enemies will be destroyed and you preserved.

(Isa 7:12) But Ahaz sayd, I wil not aske, neither will I tempt the Lord.

(Notes Reference) But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I (k) tempt the LORD.

(k) Not to believe God's word without a sign, is to tempt God, but to refuse a sign when God offers it for the aid and help of our infirmity is to rebel against him.

(Isa 7:13) Then he sayd, Heare you nowe, O house of Dauid, Is it a small thing for you to grieue men, that ye will also grieue my God?

(Notes Reference) And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; [Is it] a small thing for you to weary (l) men, but will ye weary my God also?

(l) You think you have to do with men when you contemn God's messengers but it is God against whom you bend yourselves.

(Isa 7:14) Therefore the Lord himselfe will giue you a signe. Beholde, the virgine shall conceiue and beare a sonne, and she shall call his name Immanu-el.

(Notes Reference) Therefore the Lord (m) himself shall give you a sign; Behold, the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

(m) Forasmuch as you are unworthy, the Lord for his own promise sake will give a sign which will be that Christ the Saviour of his Church and the effect of all signs and miracles will be revealed.

(Isa 7:15) Butter and hony shall he eate, till he haue knowledge to refuse the euill, and to chuse the good.

(Notes Reference) (n) Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

(n) Meaning that Christ is not only God, but man also, because he will be nourished as other men until the age of discretion.

(Isa 7:16) For afore the childe shall haue knowledge to eschew the euill, and to chuse the good, the land, that thou abhorrest, shalbe forsaken of both her Kings.

(Notes Reference) For before the (o) child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken by both her kings.

(o) Not meaning Christ, but any child: for before a child can come to the years of discretion, the kings of Samaria and Syria will be destroyed.

(Isa 7:17) The Lord shall bring vpon thee, and vpon thy people, and vpon thy fathers house (the dayes that haue not come from the day that Ephraim departed from Iudah) euen the King of Asshur.

(Notes Reference) The LORD shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father's house, days that have not come, from the day that (p) Ephraim departed from Judah; [even] the king of (q) Assyria.

(p) Since the time that the twelve tribes rebelled under Rehoboam.

(q) In whom you have put your trust.

(Isa 7:18) And in that day shall the Lord hisse for the flie that is at the vttermost part of the floods of Egypt, and for the bee which is in the lande of Asshur,

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the LORD shall hiss for the (r) fly that [is] in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that [is] in the land of Assyria.

(r) Meaning, the Egyptians: for since the country is hot and moist, it is full of flies, as Assyria is full of bees.

(Isa 7:19) And they shall come and shall light all in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rockes, and vpon all thorny places, and vpon all bushy places.

(Notes Reference) And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the clefts of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all (s) bushes.

(s) Signifying that no place will be free from them.

(Isa 7:20) In that day shall the Lord shaue with a rasor that is hired, euen by them beyond the Riuer, by the King of Asshur, the head and the heare of the feete, and it shall consume the beard.

(Notes Reference) In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, [namely], by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the (t) feet: and it shall also consume the beard.

(t) That is, that which is from the belly downward meaning that he would destroy both great and small.

(Isa 7:21) And in the same day shall a man nourish a yong kow, and two sheepe.

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] a man shall (u) nourish a young cow, and two sheep;

(u) He who before had a great number of cattle will be content with one cow and two sheep.

(Isa 7:22) And for the abundance of milke, that they shall giue, hee shall eate butter: for butter and hony shall euery one eate, which is left within the land.

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass, for the (x) abundance of milk [that] they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.

(x) The number of men will be so small that a few beasts will be able to nourish all abundantly.

(Isa 7:23) And at the same day euery place, wherein shalbe a thousand vines, shalbe at a thousand pieces of siluer: so it shalbe for the briers and for the thornes.

(Isa 7:24) With arrowes and with bowe shall one come thither: because all the land shall be briers and thornes.

(Notes Reference) With arrows and with (y) bows shall [men] come there; because all the land shall become briers and thorns.

(y) As they who go to seek wild beasts among the bushes.

(Isa 7:25) But on all the mountaines, which shalbe digged with the mattocke, there shall not come thither the feare of briers and thornes: but they shalbe for the sending out of bullocks, and for the treading of sheepe.

(Notes Reference) And [on] (z) all hills that shall be dug with the mattock, there shall not come there the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.

(z) The mountains contrary to their will, will be tilled by such as shall flee to them for comfort.

Passage 3: 1 Thessalonians 1-2

(1Th 1:1) Pavl, and Siluanus, and Timotheus, vnto the Church of the Thessalonians, which is in God the Father, and in the Lord Iesus Christ: Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Iesus Christ.

(1Th 1:2) We giue God thankes alwayes for you all, making mention of you in our prayers

(Notes Reference) (1) We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

(1) An example of proper Christian rejoicing, by which also we learn, that those who have great gifts in them, are in two ways governed: first, if they consider that they have received all from God, and second, that continuance must be desired at his hands. And to these things this whole epistle exhorts the Thessalonians.

(1Th 1:3) Without ceasing, remembring your effectuall faith, and diligent loue, and the patience of your hope in our Lord Iesus Christ, in the sight of God euen our Father,

(Notes Reference) (2) Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

(2) He commends them for three special gifts: effectual faith, continual love, and patient hope. And he does this to the end that they might be ashamed, being endued with such excellent gifts, not to continue in God's election.

(1Th 1:4) Knowing, beloued brethren, that ye are elect of God.

(Notes Reference) Knowing, brethren beloved, your (a) election of God.

(a) Literally, "that your election is of God".

(1Th 1:5) For our Gospell was not vnto you in worde only, but also in power, and in the holy Ghost, and in much assurance, as ye know after what maner we were among you for your sakes.

(Notes Reference) (3) For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in (b) much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

(3) Another reason why they ought in no way start back but continue to the end, because they cannot doubt this doctrine which has been so many ways confirmed to them, even from heaven, as they themselves well knew.

(b) Paul shows by two things that there followed very great fruit from his preaching, that is, by these gifts of the Holy Spirit, and that certain assurance which was thoroughly settled in their minds, as appeared by their willingly bearing the cross.

(1Th 1:6) And ye became followers of vs, and of the Lord, and receiued the worde in much affliction, with ioy of the holy Ghost,

(Notes Reference) (4) And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with (c) joy of the Holy Ghost:

(4) Another reason, because even to that day they embraced the Gospel with great cheerfulness, insomuch that they were an example to all their neighbours: so that it would be more shameful for them to faint in the middle of the race.

(1Th 1:7) So that ye were as ensamples to all that beleeue in Macedonia and in Achaia.

(1Th 1:8) For from you sounded out the worde of the Lord, not in Macedonia and in Achaia only: but your faith also which is toward God, spred abroad in all quarters, that we neede not to speake any thing.

(1Th 1:9) For they themselues shew of vs what maner of entring in we had vnto you, and how ye turned to God from idoles, to serue the liuing and true God,

(Notes Reference) For (d) they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, (5) and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

(d) All the believers. (5) It is no true conversion to forsake idols, unless a man in addition worships the true and living God in Christ the only Redeemer.

(1Th 1:10) And to looke for his sonne from heauen, whome he raised from the dead, euen Iesus which deliuereth vs from that wrath to come.

(Notes Reference) And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, which delivered us from (e) the wrath to come.

(e) This word "the" is not put here without reason: and by "wrath" is meant that revenge and punishment with which the Lord will in time judge the world in his terrible wrath.

(1Th 2:1) For ye your selues knowe, brethren, that our entrance in vnto you was not in vaine,

(Notes Reference) For (1) yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

(1) That which he mentioned before briefly concerning his apostleship, he handles now more at large, and to that end and purpose which we spoke of.

(1Th 2:2) But euen after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated at Philippi, (as ye knowe) we were bolde in our God, to speake vnto you the Gospell of God with much striuing.

(Notes Reference) (2) But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in (a) our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

(2) The virtues of a true pastor are freely without fear to preach the Gospel, even in the midst of dangers.

(a) Through God's gracious help.

(1Th 2:3) For our exhortation was not by deceite, nor by vncleannes, nor by guile.

(Notes Reference) (3) For our exhortation [was] not of deceit, nor of (b) uncleanness, nor in guile:

(3) To teach pure doctrine faithfully and with a pure heart.

(b) By any wicked and evil type of dealing.

(1Th 2:4) But as we were allowed of God, that the Gospel should be committed vnto vs, so we speake, not as they that please men, but God, which approoueth our hearts.

(Notes Reference) (4) But as we were (c) allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which (d) trieth our hearts.

(4) To approve his conscience to God, being free from all flattery and covetousness.

(c) There is this difference between the judgments of God and the judgments of men, that when men choose, they give regard to the qualities of those things which stand before them, but God finds the reason of his counsel only in himself. Therefore, it follows that seeing as we are not able to think a good thought, that whoever he first chooses to those callings, he does not find them able but indeed makes them able. And therefore in that we are empowered of God, it depends upon his mercy.

(d) Who approves and allows them.

(1Th 2:5) Neither yet did we euer vse flattering wordes, as ye knowe, nor coloured couetousnes, God is recorde.

(1Th 2:6) Neither sought we prayse of men, neither of you, nor of others, when we might haue bene chargeable, as the Apostles of Christ.

(Notes Reference) (5) Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor [yet] of others, when we might have been (e) burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

(5) To submit himself even to the basest, to win them, and to avoid all pride.

(e) When I might lawfully have lived upon the expenses of the churches.

(1Th 2:7) But we were gentle among you, euen as a nource cherisheth her children.

(Notes Reference) But we were (f) gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

(f) We were rough, and yet easy and gentle as a nurse that is neither seeking glory, nor covetous, but who takes all pains as patiently as if she were a mother.

(1Th 2:8) Thus being affectioned toward you, our good will was to haue dealt vnto you, not the Gospel of God onely, but also our owne soules, because ye were deare vnto vs.

(Notes Reference) (6) So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

(6) To consider the flock that is committed to him as more important than his own life.

(1Th 2:9) For ye remember, brethren, our labour and trauaile: for we laboured day and night, because we would not be chargeable vnto any of you, and preached vnto you the Gospel of God.

(Notes Reference) (7) For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

(7) To let go of his own rights, rather than to be a cost to his sheep.

(1Th 2:10) Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and iustly, and vnblameably we behaued our selues among you that beleeue.

(Notes Reference) (8) Ye [are] witnesses, and God [also], how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

(8) To excel others in the example of a godly life.

(1Th 2:11) As ye knowe how that we exhorted you, and comforted, and besought euery one of you (as a father his children)

(Notes Reference) (9) As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father [doth] his children,

(9) To exhort and comfort with a fatherly mind and affection.

(1Th 2:12) That ye would walke worthy of God, who hath called you vnto his kingdome and glorie.

(Notes Reference) (10) That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

(10) To exhort all men diligently and earnestly to lead a godly life.

(1Th 2:13) For this cause also thanke we God without ceasing, that when ye receiued the worde of God, which ye heard of vs, ye receiued it not as the worde of men, but as it is in deede the worde of God, which also worketh in you that beleeue.

(Notes Reference) (11) For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

(11) Having approved his ministry, he commends again (to that end and purpose that I spoke of) the cheerfulness of the Thessalonians which was due to his diligence in preaching, and their brave patience.

(1Th 2:14) For brethren, ye are become folowers of the Churches of God, which in Iudea are in Christ Iesus, because ye haue also suffred the same things of your owne countrey men, euen as they haue of the Iewes,

(Notes Reference) (12) For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in (g) Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own (h) countrymen, even as they [have] of the Jews:

(12) He strengthens and encourages them in their afflictions which they suffered among their own people, because they were afflicted by their own countrymen. And this happened, he says, to the churches of the Jews, as well as to them: and therefore they ought to take it in good part.

(g) Which Christ has gathered together.

(h) Even from those who are from the same country and the same town that you are from.

(1Th 2:15) Who both killed the Lord Iesus and their owne Prophets, and haue persecuted vs away, and God they please not, and are contrary to all men,

(Notes Reference) (13) Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; (14) and they please not God, and are contrary to (i) all men:

(13) He prevents an offence which might be taken, because the Jews especially above all others persecuted the Gospel. That is no new thing, he says, seeing that they slew Christ himself, and his Prophets, and have banished me also.

(14) He foretells the utter destruction of the Jews, lest any man should be moved by their rebellion.

(i) For the Jews would neither enter into the kingdom of God themselves, nor allow others to enter in.

(1Th 2:16) And forbid vs to preach vnto the Gentiles, that they might be saued, to fulfill their sinnes alwayes: for the wrath of God is come on them, to the vtmost.

(Notes Reference) Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to (k) fill up their sins alway: for the (l) wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

(k) Until that wickedness of theirs which they have by inheritance as it were of their fathers, has grown so great, that the measure of their iniquity being filled, God may come forth to wrath.

(l) The judgment of God who was angry, which indeed appeared shortly after in the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, where many fled even out of various provinces, when it was besieged.

(1Th 2:17) For asmuch, brethren, as we were kept from you for a season, concerning sight, but not in the heart, we enforced the more to see your face with great desire.

(Notes Reference) (15) But we, brethren, (m) being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

(15) He meets with an objection, why he did not come to them immediately, being in such great misery: I often desired to, he says, and I was not able, but Satan hindered my endeavours, and therefore I sent Timothy my faithful companion to you, because you are most dear to me.

(m) Were kept apart from you, and as it were orphans.

(1Th 2:18) Therefore we would haue come vnto you (I Paul, at least once or twise) but Satan hindered vs.

(1Th 2:19) For what is our hope or ioye, or crowne of reioycing? are not euen you it in the presence of our Lord Iesus Christ at his comming?

(1Th 2:20) Yea, ye are our glory and ioy.