15 Let no one give evil for evil; but ever go after what is good, for one another and for all.
Not giving back evil for evil, or curse for curse, but in place of cursing, blessing; because this is the purpose of God for you that you may have a heritage of blessing.
So then, as we have the chance, let us do good to all men, and specially to those who are of the family of the faith.
So that your lives might be pleasing to God, who has given you a part in his kingdom and his glory.
But I say to you, Have love for those who are against you, and make prayer for those who are cruel to you; So that you may be the sons of your Father in heaven; for his sun gives light to the evil and to the good, and he sends rain on the upright man and on the sinner.
Do not give evil for evil to any man. Let all your business be well ordered in the eyes of all men. As far as it is possible for you be at peace with all men. Do not give punishment for wrongs done to you, dear brothers, but give way to the wrath of God; for it is said in the holy Writings, Punishment is mine, I will give reward, says the Lord. But if one who has hate for you is in need of food or of drink, give it to him, for in so doing you will put coals of fire on his head. Do not let evil overcome you, but overcome evil by good.
So then, let us go after the things which make peace, and the things by which we may be a help to one another.
Go after love; still desiring to have the things which the Spirit gives, but most of all that you may have the prophet's power.
Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear; because he is doing the Lord's work, even as I am:
But you, O man of God, keep yourself from these things, and go after righteousness, religion, faith, love, a quiet mind, gentle behaviour.
For it is not right for the Lord's servant to make trouble, but he is to be gentle to all, ready in teaching, putting up with wrong,
Let your desire be for peace with all men, and to be made holy, without which no man may see the Lord;
And as you have made your souls clean, being ruled by what is true, and loving one another without deceit, see that your love is warm and from the heart:
And let him be turned from evil and do good; searching for peace and going after it with all his heart. For the eyes of the Lord are on the upright, and his ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Who will do you any damage if you keep your minds fixed on what is good?
My loved one, do not be copying what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God: he who does evil has not seen God.
But I say to you, Do not make use of force against an evil man; but to him who gives you a blow on the right side of your face let the left be turned.
If you come across the ox or the ass of one who is no friend to you wandering from its way, you are to take it back to him. If you see the ass of one who has no love for you bent down to the earth under the weight which is put on it, you are to come to its help, even against your desire.
Do not make attempts to get equal with one who has done you wrong, or keep hard feelings against the children of your people, but have love for your neighbour as for yourself: I am the Lord.
May the Lord be judge between me and you, and may the Lord give me my rights against you, but my hand will never be lifted up against you.
If I have given back evil to him who did evil to me, or have taken anything from him who was against me without cause;
If anyone gives back evil for good, evil will never go away from his house.
Do not say, I will give punishment for evil: go on waiting for the Lord, and he will be your saviour.
Say not, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will give the man the reward of his work.
If your hater is in need of food, give him bread; and if he is in need of drink, give him water:
And he said to me, See you do it not; I am a brother-servant with you and with your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book: give worship to God.
And I went on my face before his feet to give him worship. And he said to me, See you do it not: I am a brother-servant with you and with your brothers who keep the witness of Jesus: give worship to God: for the witness of Jesus is the spirit of the prophet's word.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5
Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 5
The apostle, having spoken in the end of the foregoing chapter concerning the resurrection, and the second coming of Christ, proceeds to speak concerning the uselessness of enquiring after the particular time of Christ's coming, which would be sudden and terrible to the wicked, but comfortable to the saints (v. 1-5). He then exhorts them to the duties of watchfulness, sobriety, and the exercise of faith, love, and hope, as being suitable to their state (v. 6-10). In the next words he exhorts them to several duties they owed to others, or to one another (v. 11-15), afterwards to several other Christian duties of great importance (v. 16-22), and then concludes this epistle (v. 23-28).
1Th 5:1-5
In these words observe,
1Th 5:6-10
On what had been said, the apostle grounds seasonable exhortations to several needful duties.
1Th 5:11-15
In these words the apostle exhorts the Thessalonians to several duties.
1Th 5:16-22
Here we have divers short exhortations, that will not burden our memories, but will be of great use to direct the motions of our hearts and lives; for the duties are of great importance, and we may observe how they are connected together, and have a dependence upon one another.
1Th 5:23-28
In these words, which conclude this epistle, observe,