17 But we, brethren, bereaved of you. This excuse has been appropriately
CHAPTER 2
the heap at last reaches as high as heaven.
For wrath has come. He means that they are in an utterly hopeless state, inasmuch as they are vessels of the Lord's wrath. ``The just vengeance of God presses upon them and pursues them, and will not leave them until they perish --- as is the case with all the reprobate, who rush on headlong to death, to which they are destined.'' The Apostle, however, makes this declaration as to the entire body of the people, in such a manner as not to deprive the elect of hope. For as the greater proportion resisted Christ, he speaks, it is true, of the whole nation generally, but we must keep in view the exception which he himself makes in Romans 11:5, --- that the Lord will always have some seed remaining. We must always keep in view Paul's design --- that believers must carefully avoid the society of those whom the just vengeance of God pursues, until they perish in their blind obstinacy. Wrath, without any additional term, means the judgment of God, as in Romans 4:15, --- the law worketh wrath; also in Romans 12:19, --- neither give place unto wrath
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 17. But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
17. Nos vero, fratres, orbati vobis ad tempus horae 720 aspectu, non corde, abundantius studuimus faciem vestram videre in multo desiderio.
18. Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
18. Itaque voluimus venire ad vos, ego quidem Paulus, et semel et bis, et obstitit nobis Satan.
19. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
19. Quae enim nostra spes, vel gaudium, vel corona gloriationis? annon etiam vos coram Domino nostro Iesu Christo in eius adventu?
20. For ye are our glory and joy. 20. Vos enim estis gloria nostra et gaudium. 17 But we, brethren, bereaved of you. This excuse has been appropriately added, lest the Thessalonians should think that Paul had deserted them while so great an emergency demanded his presence. He has spoken of the persecutions which they endured from their own people: he, in the mean time, whose duty it was above all others to assist them, was absent. He has formerly called himself a father; now, it is not the part of a father to desert his children in the midst of such distresses. He, accordingly, obviates all suspicion of contempt and negligence, by saying, that it was from no want of inclination, but because he had not opportunity. Nor does he say simply, ``I was desirous to come to you, but my way was obstructed;'' but by the peculiar terms that he employs
720"Pour vn moment du temps;" — "For a moment of time."