2 Thessalonians 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. I. ITS AUTHOR. "He," viz., God. 1. None else has authority to call — (1) To duties. Being our Creator, He is our owner; and being our owner, He is our sovereign and lawgiver, and may enact what laws He pleases (James 4:12). (2) To privileges. His blessings are so great that none else can give us a right to them; and the soul can have no security that it does not intrude upon the possession of things till we have His warrant. None came to the wedding feast till bidden (Matthew 22), or went into the vineyard till hired (Matthew 20). 2. None else can have the power; for to calling there is not only the invitations of the word, but the effectual operations of the Spirit. None else can change the heart (2 Peter 1:8; Romans 4:17; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 2:10). II. THE OUTWARD MEANS. 1. The means itself: the Gospel. This God uses — (1) Because, if God will invite the creature by his duty to His happiness, it is necessary that the call should be evident by some visible sign. The natural duty of man is much seen by the Creation (Romans 1:19; Psalm 19:1, 2). But this call made to fallen man as a remedy for his lapsed estate can only be known by revelation. (2) To convince and stop their mouths who refuse this calling, for the gospel brings grace home to us and leaves it to our choice (Acts 13:26; Acts 3:26). Great is the misery of those who refuse (Luke 14:24; Proverbs 1:24-26). (3) Because He will preserve the liberty of His own workmanship, and therefore will not compel us, but will, at the same time teach and draw us (John 6:44, 45; Acts 11:21; Acts 16:14; Romans 1:16). 2. The interest the apostle challenges in it — "our gospel." Elsewhere it is called God's gospel (1 Timothy 1:11). He is the Author. It is also called Christ's gospel (2 Thessalonians1:8), as the principal sub-revealer. And then the apostles' gospel, because they were the instruments chosen by Christ to declare it (1 Timothy 1:11). This expression is — (1) A word of fidelity (1 Corinthians 9:17). (2) A word of esteem and love; what we love we call ours (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:13). (3) A word importing diligence (Acts 20:24). Paul was willing to suffer or do anything for the sake of it. (4) A word of mutual consent (2 Corinthians 4:8). III. THE ENDS. 1. Subordinate. "Whereunto" — (1) God calls us to the faith of the gospel (Romans 10:14). (a) There must be a belief in it in general. (b) A particular affiance in Christ according to the terms of the New Covenant, i.e., the assent must be fiducial or accompanied with a trust in Christ (Ephesians 1:15; 2 Timothy 1:12), and obediential, not a devout sloth or carelessness (Psalm 119:10; Jude 1:20, 21; Psalm 32:2; Romans 8:1.). (2) God calls us to holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:7) on several grounds. (a) That there may be a likeness between the Person calling and the persons called (1 Peter 1:15). (b) Because the nature of the calling enforces sanctification (Hebrews 3:1; 2 Timothy 1:9; Romans 1:7). (c) Because the grace shown in our calling obliges us to be holy in point of gratitude (1 Thessalonians 2:12). (d) Because the calling enables us to be holy, giving us all things necessary to holiness of heart and life (2 Peter 1:3). 2. The ultimate end. "To obtain the glory," etc. (1 Peter 5:10). (1) It is glory for body and soul (1 Peter 1:9; 1 Corinthians 15:42, 43). (2) It is the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (a) It is purchased by Him (Ephesians 1:7). (b) Promised by Him (John 10:28; 1 John 2:25). (c) Prayed for by Him (John 17:14). (d) Bestowed by Him; at death (Acts 7:59; Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8); at judgment (John 14:3). (e) With Him (Romans 8:17; Revelation 3:21). (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
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