Read Scripture In A Year: November 19

Passage 1: Nehemiah 7

(Neh 7:1) Nowe when the wall was builded, and I had set vp the doores, and the porters, and the singers and the Leuites were appointed,

(Neh 7:2) Then I commanded my brother Hanani and Hananiah the prince of the palace in Ierusalem (for he was doubtlesse a faithfull man, and feared God aboue many)

(Neh 7:3) And I saide vnto them, Let not the gates of Ierusalem be opened, vntill the heate of the sunne: and while they stande by, let them shut the doores, and make them fast: and I appointed wardes of the inhabitants of Ierusalem, euery one in his warde, and euery one ouer against his house.

(Notes Reference) And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while (a) they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar [them]: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one [to be] over against his house.

(a) That is, they who are mentioned, (Neh 7:2).

(Neh 7:4) Nowe the citie was large and great, but the people were few therein, and the houses were not buylded.

(Neh 7:5) And my God put into mine heart, and I gathered the princes, and the rulers, and the people, to count their genealogies: and I found a booke of the genealogie of them, which came vp at the first, and found written therein,

(Neh 7:6) These are the sonnes of the prouince that came vp from the captiuitie that was caried away (whome Nebuchadnezzar King of Babel had caryed away) and they returned to Ierusalem and to Iudah, euery one vnto his citie.

(Notes Reference) These [are] the (b) children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;

(b) That is, the inhabitants of Judah.

(Neh 7:7) They which came with Zerubbabel, Ieshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Biguai, Nehum, Baanah. This is the nomber of the men of the people of Israel.

(Notes Reference) Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, (c) Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, [I say], of the men of the people of Israel [was this];

(Neh 7:8) The sonnes of Parosh, two thousande an hundreth seuentie and two.

(Neh 7:9) The sonnes of Shephatiah, three hundreth seuentie and two.

(Neh 7:10) The sonnes of Arah, sixe hundreth fiftie and two.

(Neh 7:11) The sonnes of Pahath Moab of ye sonnes of Ieshua, and Ioab, two thousand, eight hundreth and eighteene.

(Neh 7:12) The sonnes of Elam, a thousand, two hundreth fiftie and foure.

(Neh 7:13) The sonnes of Zattu, eight hundreth and fiue and fourtie.

(Neh 7:14) The sonnes of Zacchai, seuen hundreth and three score.

(Neh 7:15) The sonnes of Binnui, sixe hundreth and eight and fourtie.

(Neh 7:16) The sonnes of Bebai, sixe hundreth and eight and twentie.

(Neh 7:17) The sonnes of Azgad, two thousand, three hundreth and two and twentie.

(Neh 7:18) The sonnes of Adonikam, sixe hundreth three score and seuen.

(Neh 7:19) The sonnes of Biguai, two thousand three score and seuen.

(Neh 7:20) The sonnes of Adin, sixe hundreth, and fiue and fiftie.

(Neh 7:21) The sonnes of Ater of Hizkiah, ninetie and eight.

(Neh 7:22) The sonnes of Hashum, three hundreth and eight and twentie.

(Neh 7:23) The sonnes of Bezai, three hundreth and foure and twentie.

(Neh 7:24) The sonnes of Hariph, an hundreth and twelue.

(Neh 7:25) The sonnes of Gibeon, ninetie and fiue.

(Notes Reference) The (d) children of Gibeon, ninety and five.

(d) That is, the inhabitants of Gibeon.

(Neh 7:26) The men of Beth-lehem and Netophah, an hundreth foure score and eight.

(Neh 7:27) The men of Anathoth, an hundreth and eight and twentie.

(Neh 7:28) The me of Beth-azmaueth, two and fourty.

(Neh 7:29) The men of Kiriath-iearim, Chephirah and Beeroth, seuen hundreth, and three and fourtie.

(Neh 7:30) The men of Ramah and Gaba, sixe hundreth and one and twentie.

(Neh 7:31) The men of Michmas, an hundreth and two and twentie.

(Neh 7:32) The men of Beth-el and Ai, an hundreth and three and twentie.

(Neh 7:33) The men of the other Nebo, two and fifty.

(Notes Reference) The men (e) of the other Nebo, fifty and two.

(e) For there were two cities with this name.

(Neh 7:34) The sonnes of the other Elam, a thousand, two hundreth and foure and fiftie.

(Neh 7:35) The sonnes of Harim, three hundreth and twentie.

(Neh 7:36) The sonnes of Iericho, three hundreth and fiue and fourtie.

(Neh 7:37) The sonnes of Lod-hadid and Ono, seuen hundreth and one and twentie.

(Neh 7:38) The sonnes of Senaah, three thousand, nine hundreth and thirtie.

(Neh 7:39) The Priestes: the sonnes of Iedaiah of the house of Ieshua, nine hundreth seuentie and three.

(Neh 7:40) The sonnes of Immer, a thousand and two and fiftie.

(Neh 7:41) The sonnes of Pashur, a thousande, two hundreth and seuen and fourtie.

(Neh 7:42) The sonnes of Harim, a thousande and seuenteene.

(Neh 7:43) The Leuites: the sonnes of Ieshua of Kadmiel, and of the sonnes of Hodiuah, seuentie and foure.

(Neh 7:44) The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundreth, and eight and fourtie.

(Neh 7:45) The porters: the sonnes of Shallum, the sonnes of Ater, the sonnes of Talmon, the sonnes of Akkub, the sonnes of Hatita, the sonnes of Shobai, an hundreth and eight and thirtie.

(Neh 7:46) The Nethinims: the sonnes of Ziha, the sonnes of Hashupha, the sonnes of Tabaoth,

(Notes Reference) The (f) Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,

(f) Read (Ezr 2:43).

(Neh 7:47) The sonnes of Keros, the sonnes of Sia, the sonnes of Padon,

(Neh 7:48) The sonnes of Lebana, the sonnes of Hagaba, the sonnes of Shalmai,

(Neh 7:49) The sonnes of Hanan, the sonnes of Giddel, the sonnes of Gahar,

(Neh 7:50) The sonnes of Reaiah, the sonnes of Rezin, the sonnes of Nekoda,

(Neh 7:51) The sonnes of Gazzam, ye sonnes of Vzza, the sonnes of Paseah,

(Neh 7:52) The sonnes of Besai, the sonnes of Meunim, the sonnes of Nephishesim,

(Neh 7:53) The sonnes of Bakbuk, the sonnes of Hakupha, the sonnes of Harhur,

(Neh 7:54) The sonnes of Bazlith, the sonnes of Mehida, the sonnes of Harsha,

(Neh 7:55) The sonnes of Barkos, the sonnes of Sissera, the sonnes of Tamah,

(Neh 7:56) The sonnes of Neziah, the sonnes of Hatipha,

(Neh 7:57) The sonnes of Salomons seruantes, the sonnes of Sotai, the sonnes of Sophereth, ye sonnes of Perida,

(Neh 7:58) The sonnes of Iaala, the sonnes of Darkon, the sonnes of Giddel,

(Neh 7:59) The sonnes of Shephatiah, the sonnes of Hattil, the sonnes of Pochereth of Zebaim, the sonnes of Amon.

(Neh 7:60) All the Nethinims, and the sonnes of Salomons seruantes were three hundreth, ninetie and two.

(Neh 7:61) And these came vp from Tel-melah, Tel-haresha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not shewe their fathers house, nor their seede, or if they were of Israel.

(Neh 7:62) The sonnes of Delaiah: the sonnes of Tobiah, the sonnes of Nekoda, six hundreth and two and fourtie.

(Neh 7:63) And of the Priestes: the sonnes of Habaiah, the sonnes of Hakkoz, the sonnes of Barzillai, which tooke one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was named after their name.

(Neh 7:64) These sought their writing of the genealogies, but it was not founde: therefore they were put from the Priesthood.

(Neh 7:65) And the Tirshatha sayd vnto them, that they should not eate of the most holy, till there rose vp a Priest with Vrim and Thummim.

(Notes Reference) And (g) the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood [up] a priest with Urim and Thummim.

(g) Meaning, Nehemiah: for Tirshatha in the Chaldee tongue means a butler.

(Neh 7:66) All the Congregation together was two and fourtie thousand, three hundreth and threescore,

(Neh 7:67) Besides their seruantes and their maydes, which were seuen thousand, three hundreth and seuen and thirtie: and they had two hundreth and fiue and fourtie singing men and singing women.

(Neh 7:68) Their horses were seuen hundreth and sixe and thirtie, and their mules two hundreth and fiue and fourtie.

(Neh 7:69) The camels foure hundreth and fiue and thirtie, and sixe thousande, seuen hundreth and twentie asses.

(Neh 7:70) And certaine of the chiefe fathers gaue vnto the worke. The Tirshatha gaue to the treasure, a thousand drammes of golde, fiftie basins, fiue hundreth and thirtie Priests garments.

(Notes Reference) And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand (h) drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.

(h) Read (Ezr 2:69).

(Neh 7:71) And some of the chiefe fathers gaue vnto the treasure of the worke, twentie thousand drams of golde, and two thousande and two hundreth pieces of siluer.

(Neh 7:72) And the rest of the people gaue twentie thousand drammes of golde, and two thousande pieces of siluer, and three score and seuen Priestes garments.

(Neh 7:73) And the Priestes, and Leuites, and the porters and the singers and the rest of the people and the Nethinims, and all Israel dwelt in their cities: and when the seuenth moneth came, the children of Israel were in their cities.

(Notes Reference) So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and [some] of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the (i) seventh month came, the children of Israel [were] in their cities.

(i) Which contained part of September and part of October.

Passage 2: Joel 2

(Joe 2:1) Blowe the trumpet in Zion, and shoute in mine holy mountaine: let all the inhabitants of the lande tremble: for the day of the Lord is come: for it is at hand.

(Notes Reference) Blow ye (a) the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for [it is] nigh at hand;

(a) He shows the great judgments of God which are at hand, unless they repent.

(Joe 2:2) A day of darkenesse, and of blacknesse, a day of cloudes, and obscuritie, as the morning spred vpon the mountaines, so is there a great people, and a mighty: there was none like it from the beginning, neither shalbe any more after it, vnto the yeeres of many generations.

(Notes Reference) A (b) day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a (c) great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, [even] to the years of many generations.

(b) Of affliction and trouble.

(Joe 2:3) A fire deuoureth before him, and behinde him a flame burneth vp: the land is as the garden of Eden before him, and behinde him a desolate wildernesse, so that nothing shall escape him.

(Notes Reference) A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land [is] as the garden of (d) Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.

(d) The enemy destroyed our plentiful country, wherever he went.

(Joe 2:4) The beholding of him is like the sight of horses, and like the horsemen, so shall they runne.

(Joe 2:5) Like the noyse of charrets in the toppes of the mountaines shall they leape, like the noyse of a flame of fire that deuoureth the stubble, and as a mightie people prepared to the battel.

(Joe 2:6) Before his face shall the people tremble: all faces shall gather blackenesse.

(Notes Reference) Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces (e) shall gather blackness.

(e) They will be pale and black because of fear, as in (Nah 2:10).

(Joe 2:7) They shall runne like strong men, and goe vp to the wall like men of warre, and euery man shall goe forward in his wayes, and they shall not stay in their paths.

(Joe 2:8) Neither shall one thrust another, but euery one shall walke in his path: and when they fall vpon the sword, they shall not be wounded.

(Notes Reference) Neither shall one (f) thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and [when] they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.

(f) For none will be able to resist them.

(Joe 2:9) They shall runne to and from in the citie: they shall runne vpon the wall: they shall clime vp vpon the houses, and enter in at ye windowes like ye thiefe.

(Joe 2:10) The earth shall tremble before him, ye heauens shall shake, the sunne and the moone shalbe darke, and the starres shall withdraw their shining,

(Notes Reference) The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the (g) sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:

(g) Read (Joe 2:31; Isa 13:10; Eze 32:7; Joe 3:15; Mat 24:29)

(Joe 2:11) And the Lord shall vtter his voyce before his hoste: for his hoste is very great: for he is strog that doeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible, and who can abide it?

(Notes Reference) And the LORD shall (h) utter his voice before his army: for his camp [is] very great: for [he is] strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD [is] great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

(h) The Lord will stir up the Assyrians to execute his judgments.

(Joe 2:12) Therefore also now the Lord sayth, Turne you vnto me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning,

(Joe 2:13) And rent your heart, and not your clothes: and turne vnto the Lord your God, for he is gratious, and mercifull, slowe to anger, and of great kindnes, and repenteth him of the euill.

(Notes Reference) And (i) rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he [is] gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

(i) Mortify your affections and serve God with pureness of heart, and not with ceremonies.

(Joe 2:14) Who knoweth, is he wil returne and repent and leaue a blessing behinde him, euen a meate offring, and a drinke offring vnto ye Lord your God?

(Notes Reference) Who knoweth [if] he will (k) return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; [even] a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?

(k) He speaks this to stir up their slothfulness, and not that he doubted of God's mercies, if they did repent. For the way in which God repents, See Jer 18:8

(Joe 2:15) Blowe the trumpet in Zion, sanctifie a fast, call a solemne assembly.

(Joe 2:16) Gather the people: sanctifie the congregation, gather the elders: assemble the children, and those that sucke the breastes: let the bridegrome go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her bride chamber.

(Notes Reference) Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the (l) children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

(l) That as all have sinned, so all may show forth signs of their repentance, so that men seeing the children who are not free from God's wrath, might be the more deeply touched with the consideration of their own sins.

(Joe 2:17) Let the Priestes, the ministers of the Lord weepe betweene the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and giue not thine heritage into reproche that the heathen should rule ouer them. Wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

(Joe 2:18) Then will the Lord be ielous ouer his land, and spare his people.

(Notes Reference) Then will the LORD be (m) jealous for his land, and pity his people.

(m) If they repent he shows that God will preserve and defend them with a most fervent affection.

(Joe 2:19) Yea, the Lord wil answere and say vnto his people, Beholde, I will send you corne, and wine, and oyle, and you shalbe satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproche among the heathen,

(Joe 2:20) But I will remooue farre off from you the Northren armie, and I will driue him into a land, barren and desolate with his face toward the East sea, and his end to the vtmost sea, and his stinke shall come vp, and his corruption shall ascend, because he hath exalted himselfe to do this.

(Notes Reference) But I will remove far off from you the (n) northern [army], and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the (o) east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.

(n) That is, the Assyrians your enemies.

(o) Called the Salt Sea, or Persian Sea: meaning, that even though this army was so great that it filled all from this sea to the Mediterranean Sea, yet he would scatter them.

(Joe 2:21) Feare not, O land, but be glad, and reioyce: for the Lord wil do great things.

(Joe 2:22) Be not afrayde, ye beastes of the fielde: for the pastures of the wildernesse are greene: for the tree beareth her fruite: the figge tree and the vine do giue their force.

(Joe 2:23) Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and reioyce in the Lord your God: for he hath giuen you the rayne of righteousnes, he wil cause to come downe for you the rayne, euen the first raine, and the latter raine in the first moneth.

(Notes Reference) Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain (p) moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first [month].

(p) That is, such as would come by just measure, and would be sent when God was reconciled with them.

(Joe 2:24) And the barnes shalbe full of wheate, and the presses shall abound with wine and oyle.

(Joe 2:25) And I will render you the yeeres that the grashopper hath eaten, the canker worme and the caterpiller and the palmer worme, my great hoste which I sent among you.

(Joe 2:26) So you shall eate and be satisfied and praise the Name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt marueilously with you: and my people shall neuer be ashamed.

(Joe 2:27) Ye shall also know, that I am in the middes of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God and none other, and my people shall neuer be ashamed.

(Joe 2:28) And afterward will I powre out my Spirit vpon all flesh: and your sonnes and your daughters shall prophecie: your olde men shall dreame dreames, and your yong men shall see visions,

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour (q) out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream (r) dreams, your young men shall see visions:

(q) That is, in greater abundance, and more broadly than in times past. And this was fulfilled under Christ, when God's graces and his Spirit under the Gospel were abundantly given to the Church; (Isa 44:3; Act 2:17) (Joh 7:38-39).

(r) As they had visions and dreams in ancient times, so will they now have clearer revelations.

(Joe 2:29) And also vpon the seruants, and vpon the maydes in those dayes wil I powre my Spirit.

(Joe 2:30) And I will shewe wonders in the heauens and in the earth: blood and fire, and pillars of smoke.

(Notes Reference) And I will shew (s) wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

(s) He warns the faithful what terrible things would come, with the intent that they should not look for continual quietness in this world: and yet in all these troubles he would preserve them.

(Joe 2:31) The sunne shalbe turned into darkenesse, and the moone into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.

(Notes Reference) The (t) sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

(t) The order of nature will seem to be changed because of the horrible afflictions that will be in the world; (Isa 13:10; Eze 32:7; Joe 3:15; Mat 24:29).

(Joe 2:32) But whosoeuer shall call on the Name of the Lord, shalbe saued: for in mount Zion, and in Ierusale shalbe deliuerance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant, whom the Lord shall call.

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call (u) on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the (x) remnant whom the LORD shall call.

(u) God's judgments are for the destruction of the unbelievers, and to exhort the godly to call upon the name of God, who will give them salvation.

(x) Meaning the Gentiles by this; (Rom 10:13).

Passage 3: 2 Thessalonians 1-2

(2Th 1:1) Paul and Siluanus, and Timotheus, vnto the Church of the Thessalonians, which is in God our Father, and in the Lord Iesus Christ:

(2Th 1:2) Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Iesus Christ.

(2Th 1:3) We ought to thanke God alwayes for you, brethren, as it is meete, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the loue of euery one of you toward another, aboundeth,

(Notes Reference) (1) We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith (a) groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

(1) The first part of the epistle, in which he rejoices that through the grace of God, they have bravely sustained all the assaults of their enemies. And in this he strengthens and encourages them, moreover showing with what gifts they must mainly fight, that is, with faith and charity, which must daily increase.

(a) That whereas it grew up before, it does also receive some increase every day more and more.

(2Th 1:4) So that we our selues reioyce of you in the Churches of God, because of your patience and faith in al your persecutions and tribulatios that ye suffer,

(2Th 1:5) Which is a manifest token of the righteous iudgement of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdome of God, for the which ye also suffer.

(Notes Reference) (2) [Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

(2) He shows the source of all true comfort, that is, that in afflictions which we suffer from the wicked for righteousness' sake, we may behold as it were in a mirror the testimony of that judgment to come, the end of which is most acceptable to us, and most severe to his enemies.

(2Th 1:6) For it is a righteous thing with God, to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you,

(Notes Reference) (3) Seeing [it is] a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

(3) A proof: God is just, and therefore he will worthily punish the unjust, and will do away the miseries of his people.

(2Th 1:7) And to you which are troubled, rest with vs, when the Lord Iesus shall shewe himselfe from heauen with his mightie Angels,

(Notes Reference) And to you who are troubled rest (4) with us, (5) when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

(4) He strengthens and encourages them also along the way by this means, that the condition both of this present state and the state to come, is common to him with them. (5) A most glorious description of the second coming of Christ, to be set against all the miseries of the godly, and the triumphs of the wicked.

(2Th 1:8) In flaming fire, rendring vengeance vnto them, that doe not know God, and which obey not vnto the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ,

(Notes Reference) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them (6) that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

(6) There is no knowledge of God to salvation, without the Gospel of Christ.

(2Th 1:9) Which shall be punished with euerlasting perdition, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power,

(2Th 1:10) When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints, and to be made marueilous in all them that beleeue ( because our testimonie toward you was beleeued) in that day.

(Notes Reference) When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe ((7) because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

(7) They are considered as children of God by the faith which they have in the Gospel, which is preached to them by the apostles.

(2Th 1:11) Wherefore, we also pray alwayes for you, that our God may make you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodnes, and the worke of faith with power,

(Notes Reference) (8) Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of (b) [this] calling, and fulfil (c) all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the (d) work of faith with power:

(8) Seeing that we have the mark set before us, it remains that we go to it. And we go to it, by certain degrees of causes: first by the free love and good pleasure of God, by virtue of which all other inferior causes work: from there proceeds the free calling to Christ, and from calling, faith, upon which follows both the glorifying of Christ in us and us in Christ.

(b) By "calling" he does not mean the very act of calling, but that self same thing to which we are called, which is the glory of that heavenly kingdom.

(d) So then, faith is an excellent work of God in us: and we plainly see here that the apostle leaves nothing to free will, to make it something which God works through, as the papists dream.

(2Th 1:12) That the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God, and of the Lord Iesus Christ.

(2Th 2:1) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ, and by our assembling vnto him,

(Notes Reference) Now (1) we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our (a) gathering together unto him,

(1) The second part of the epistle, containing an excellent prophecy of the state of the Church, which will be from the apostles time to the latter day of judgment.

(a) If we think earnestly upon that unmeasurable glory which we will be partakers of with Christ, it will be an excellent remedy for us against wavering and impatience, so that neither the glistening of the world will allure us, nor the dreadful sight of the cross dismay us.

(2Th 2:2) That ye be not suddenly mooued from your minde, nor troubled neither by spirit, nor by worde, nor by letter, as it were from vs, as though the day of Christ were at hand.

(Notes Reference) (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by (b) spirit, nor by (c) word, nor by (d) letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

(2) We must take heed of false prophets, especially in this matter, who go about to deceive, and that for the most part, after three sorts: for either they brag of fake prophetical revelations, or they bring conjectures and reasons of their own, or use counterfeit writings.

(b) By dreams and fables, which men pretend to be spiritual revelations.

(d) Either by forged letter, or falsely commented upon.

(2Th 2:3) Let no man deceiue you by any meanes: for that day shall not come, except there come a departing first, and that that man of sinne be disclosed, euen the sonne of perdition,

(Notes Reference) Let no man deceive you by any means: (3) for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and (e) that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

(3) The apostle foretells that before the coming of the Lord, there will be a throne set up completely contrary to Christ's glory, in which that wicked man will sit, and transfer all things that appertain to God to himself: and many will fall away from God to him.

(e) By speaking of one, he singles out the person of the tyrannous and persecuting antichrist.

(2Th 2:4) Which is an aduersarie, and exalteth him selfe against all that is called God, or that is worshipped: so that he doeth sit as God in the Temple of God, shewing him selfe that he is God.

(Notes Reference) Who opposeth and (f) exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; (4) so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

(f) All men know who he is that says he can shut up heaven and open it at his pleasure, and takes upon himself to be lord and master above all kings and princes, before whom kings and princes fall down and worship, honouring that antichrist as a god. (4) He foretells that the antichrist (that is, whoever he is that will occupy that seat that falls away from God) will not reign outside of the Church, but in the very bosom of the Church.

(2Th 2:5) Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I tolde you these things?

(Notes Reference) (5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

(5) This prophecy was continually declared to the ancient Church, but it was neglected by those that followed.

(2Th 2:6) And nowe ye knowe what withholdeth that he might be reueiled in his time.

(Notes Reference) And now ye know (g) what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

(g) What hinders and stops.

(2Th 2:7) For the mysterie of iniquitie doeth already worke: onely he which nowe withholdeth, shall let till he be taken out of the way.

(Notes Reference) (6) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: (7) only he who now (h) letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way.

(6) Even in the apostles time the first foundations of the apostolic seat were laid, but yet so that they deceived men. (7) He foretells that when the empire of Rome is taken away, the seat that falls away from God will succeed and hold its place, as the old writers, Tertullian, Chrysostom, and Jerome explain and interpret it.

(h) He who is now in authority and rules all, that is, the Roman Empire.

(2Th 2:8) And then shall that wicked man be reueiled, whome the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his mouth, and shall abolish with the brightnes of his comming,

(Notes Reference) (8) And then shall (i) that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall (k) consume with the (l) spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

(8) That wickedness will at length be detected by the word of the Lord, and will utterly be abolished by Christ's coming.

(i) Literally, "that lawless fellow", that is to say, he that will completely tread upon God's law.

(k) Bring to nothing.

(l) With his word, for the true ministers of the word are as a mouth, by which the Lord breathes out that mighty and everlasting word, which will break his enemies apart, as though the word were an iron rod.

(2Th 2:9) Euen him whose comming is by the effectuall working of Satan, with all power, and signes, and lying wonders,

(Notes Reference) (9) [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and (m) lying wonders,

(9) He foretells that Satan will bestow all his might and power, and use all false miracles that he can to establish that seat, and that with great success, because the wickedness of the world does so deserve it: yet in such a way that only the unfaithful will perish through his deceit.

(m) Which are partly false, and partly done to establish a falsehood.

(2Th 2:10) And in al deceiuablenes of vnrighteousnes, among them that perish, because they receiued not the loue of the trueth, that they might be saued.

(2Th 2:11) And therefore God shall send them strong delusion, that they should beleeue lies,

(Notes Reference) And for this cause God shall send them (n) strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

(n) A most mighty working to deceive them.

(2Th 2:12) That all they might be damned which beleeued not the trueth, but had pleasure in vnrighteousnes.

(Notes Reference) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but (o) had pleasure in unrighteousness.

(o) They liked lies so much that they had pleasure in them, which is the greatest madness that may exist.

(2Th 2:13) But we ought to giue thankes alway to God for you, brethren beloued of the Lord, because that God hath from the beginning chosen you to saluation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and the faith of trueth,

(Notes Reference) (10) But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through (p) sanctification of the Spirit and (q) belief of the truth:

(10) The elect will stand steadfast and safe from all these mischiefs. Now election is known by these testimonies: faith is increased by sanctification: faith, by that which we grant to the truth; truth, by calling, through the preaching of the Gospel: from where we come at length to a certain hope of glorification.

(p) To sanctify you.

(q) Faith which does not lay hold upon lies, but upon the truth of God, which is the Gospel.

(2Th 2:14) Whereunto he called you by our Gospel, to obtaine the glory of our Lord Iesus Christ.

(Notes Reference) Whereunto he called you by our (r) gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(r) By our preaching.

(2Th 2:15) Therefore, brethren, stand fast and keepe the instructions, which ye haue bene taught, either by worde, or by our Epistle.

(Notes Reference) (11) Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

(11) The conclusion: it remains then that we continue in the doctrine which was delivered to us by the mouth and writings of the apostles, through the free good will of God, who comforts us with an invincible hope, and that we also continue in all godliness our whole life long.

(2Th 2:16) Now the same Iesus Christ our Lord; and our God euen the Father which hath loued vs, and hath giuen vs euerlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

(2Th 2:17) Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in euery word and good worke.