〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Our exhortation was not out of deceit, or that I might
deceive.
[ b] V. 2. Contention] The word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,
strife or conten¦tion, may be taken in an Active or in a
Passive sense, that is, either for labour, or sufferance, both in
an high degree. In the former sense it is, when Christ
com∣mands us 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to strive to enter in at the straight gate,
that is, to be very diligent and industrious. In the latter it is
Heb. 12. 1. being joyned with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sufferance, and
persevering, and afflictions, mentioned before c. 11. and
after v. 2, &c. so Phil. 1. 30. and Cor. 1. 29. where
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 striving, is bearing, suffering afflictions, and so
more fit to be joyned with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 toyling, or
suffering hardship, there; for so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & signifie, the
〈◊〉〈◊〉 or pains, in bearing, as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in doing ver. 9. So
1 Tim. 4. 10. where we ordinarily read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 suffer
reproaches, the Kings MS reads 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 we combat, that is,
suffer persecutions, (which is joyned with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 also) which they
that doe; doe it in hope, and trust in the living God, which can and
will reward all their sufferings. And this is agreeable to the na••ure
of the agones, combats, or games, among the Grecians,
whereof the Poet saith,
Multa tulit fecitque—
it is made up of doing and suffering both. And so we have
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
combat of sufferings Heb. 10. 32. and of the women
Phil.
4. 3.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,
which combated, or
contended, that is,
suffered persecutions
together with me in the Gospel. And so
here it is to be taken in this latter sense, though that also
added to the former, endurance and diligence both, great industry and
labour in preaching the Gospel to them, and withall great persecution
for so doing. For so it is in the beginning of the verse,
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,
sufferings and contumelious reproachfull usage, such are
scourgings, &c. and thus
Phil. 1. 30.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,
the same
combat, is the enduring perse∣cution, expressed by
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ver.
27. the word used in the
agones. So 2
Tim. 4. 7.
the fight, or
combat, seems to referre to that
which he had then lately past through at
Rome, before
Nero's tribunal, v. 16, 17.
[ c] V. 3. Deceit] That 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which
signifies deceit, errour, is used not onely Passively for being
deceived by others, but especially Actively for deceiving and sedu∣cing
others, will appear at large, Note on
Iude f. And so also that in the Epistles it referres especially to
these grand seducers that were then a-foot, so rife in the
Churches, the Gnosticks, whose heresie being accom∣panied with
so much uncleanness and carnality, where∣soever the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or
seduction is joyned with words that expresse or intimate that,
there is great reason thus to interpret it. Thus Theophylacts
gloss intimates, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, saith he, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, I teach not any
impurity, such as are the doctrines or practices of the Magi and
Sorcerers. And according∣ly here 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 uncleanness (and that word
signifies all manner of unnatural lusts) being subjoyned to 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
deceit, or seduction, it must be thought
to referre to these practices of those seducing hereticks, to
whom S. Paul desireth to oppose his own dealing among them, at
once vindicating his own simplicity and uprightness, and accusing
them for the contrary. He came meerly to convert them from all the
villanies that they, while they were Idolaters, had lived in, and doing
so, suffered great hardship of persecutions; but they (which took
sure care not to be persecuted) infused into them all false
heretical doctrines and corrupt practices, unclean∣ness and villany.
They shly stole in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but he 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 v. 2. took all
boldnesse and con∣fidence
to preach publickly the Gospel
unto them.
[ d] V. 5. Used we flattering—] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
signifies talk, discourse of men, and so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
to be on the tongues of men, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to be talked of for
flattery, to be accused by men for this fault.
[ e] Ib. Cloke of covetousnesse] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies not only
an occasion and pretence, but also
an accusation, or charge, against any. So saith
Phavorinus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 'tis a charge, an occaesion, against
any; and again, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a long specious oration in accusation of
any man: & therefore the rendring 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, may be a
false print for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 accuso; for that will best agree with
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, words that note accusing and suspecting, that
went before, And so again, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, it is either a true or false
accusation. So 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 are clancular depravings of men's
reputations, raising suspicions of them: so Dan. 6. 4.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, they sought some occasion, that is, accusation,
against Daniel. As for the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is joyned with it,
that signifies sometimes unnatural lusts and
filthiness, as hath been formerly shewed, Note on Rom. 1. h.
and so it seems to signifie here and to answer 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
uncleanness, v. 3. so no∣torious among the Gnosticks, which
were the pest of Christianity at that time.
[ f] V. 6. Burthensome] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 weight
is here taken for the censures of the Church, the exercise of that
Aposto∣lical authority and severity; so 2 Cor. 10. 10 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 letters that had a great deale of weight, that is,
severity, threatning of censures, &c. and so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to
light heavy upon them, to use severity toward them (which some
desired to seem to doe out of vanity and ambition:) and is here set
opposite to the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, we became gentle, the tender usage of
a nurse v. 7. and the spirit of meekness, 1
Cor. 4. 21.
[ g] V. 8. Affectionately desirous]
Theophylact is so per∣emptory for another reading in this place, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in
stead of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that I cannot but set it down, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, saith he,
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The phrase 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifies bound, or close,
or near, to you, from the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 together and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
which sig∣nifies to bind together; adding that some have read
it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 desiring, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 but that it is not
so. If his meaning be that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 doth not so signifie, I
suppose his authority will not prevaile against the known use of the
word, and the express Glossarie of Hesychius, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,
it signifies to love, to desire. But if his meaning be that
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is not the right reading, then unless we know what copies he
had to authorize that confidence, there will be no reason to consent
to it, and yet as little cause to make a controversie of it, the
sense being either way the same, the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 rendred by
Hesychius just as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is: for so in him all that we find of that
word is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, it signifies to desire, as the other before
had done.
[ h] V. 13. Effectually worketh] That 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is
to be rendred in a Passive not Active sense, and that it
signi∣fies 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to be perfected, or accomplished, hath
been largely shewn, Note on Gal. 5. b. But to what the
accomplishment of the word, or Gospel, here referres
particularly, must be concluded from v. 14. There the proof is set down of
that which is here affirmed, and that with the particle For, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
For you, &c. and therefore in all reason that must
interpret this. Now that which is there mention'd is the
Thessalonians suf∣fering persecution after the manner that other Christi∣ans
had done before them, which as it is an evidence of their
constancy in the faith, so is that of their proficien∣cy to the
highest degree of perfection which this life is capable of. And besides,
it being foretold by Christ, that they which will receive the
saith, and live accor∣ding