15 See that no one render to any evil for evil, but pursue always what is good towards one another and towards all;
not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but on the contrary, blessing [others], because ye have been called to this, that ye should inherit blessing.
So then, as we have occasion, let us do good towards all, and specially towards those of the household of faith.
that ye should walk worthy of God, who calls you to his own kingdom and glory.
But *I* say unto you, Love your enemies, [bless those who curse you,] do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who [insult you and] persecute you, that ye may be [the] sons of your Father who is in [the] heavens; for he makes his sun rise on evil and good, and sends rain on just and unjust.
recompensing to no one evil for evil: providing things honest before all men: if possible, as far as depends on you, living in peace with all men; not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance [belongs] to me, *I* will recompense, saith the Lord. If therefore thine enemy should hunger, feed him; if he should thirst, give him drink; for, so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
So then let us pursue the things which tend to peace, and things whereby one shall build up another.
Follow after love, and be emulous of spiritual [manifestations], but rather that ye may prophesy.
Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear; for he works the work of the Lord, even as I.
But *thou*, O man of God, flee these things, and pursue righteousness, piety, faith, love, endurance, meekness of spirit.
And a bondman of [the] Lord ought not to contend, but be gentle towards all; apt to teach; forbearing;
Pursue peace with all, and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord:
Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth to unfeigned brotherly love, love one another out of a pure heart fervently;
And let him avoid evil, and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it; because [the] eyes of [the] Lord [are] on [the] righteous, and his ears towards their supplications; but [the] face of [the] Lord [is] against them that do evil. And who shall injure you if ye have become imitators of that which [is] good?
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He that does good is of God. He that does evil has not seen God.
But *I* say unto you, not to resist evil; but whoever shall strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other;
-- If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt certainly bring it back to him. If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under its burden, beware of leaving [it] to him: thou shalt certainly loosen [it] with him.
Thou shalt not avenge thyself, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am Jehovah.
As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked; but my hand shall not be upon thee.
If I have rewarded evil to him that was at peace with me; (indeed I have freed him that without cause oppressed me;)
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Say not, I will recompense evil: wait on Jehovah, and he shall save thee.
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me, I will render to the man according to his work.
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
And he says to me, See [thou do it] not. I am thy fellow-bondman, and [the fellow-bondman] of thy brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Do homage to God.
And I fell before his feet to do him homage. And he says to me, See [thou do it] not. I am thy fellow-bondman, and [the fellow-bondman] of thy brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Do homage to God. For the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus.
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,