1Th 2:12, 5:24, 2Th 2:14, 2Ti 1:9 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 12. That ye would walk worthy of God , etc. That you would live in such a manner as would honour God, who has chosen you to be his friends. . A child "walks worthy of a parent" when he lives in such way as to reflect honour on that parent for the method in which he has trained him; when he so lives as to bring no disgrace on him, so as not to pain his heart by misconduct, or so as to give no occasion to any to speak reproachfully of him. This he does, when (1.) he keeps all his commands; (2.) when he leads a life of purity and virtue; (3.) when he carries out the principles of the family into his own life; (4.) when he honours a father by evincing a profound respect for his opinions; and (5.) when he endeavours to provide for his comfort, and to promote his welfare. In a manner similar to this, a true Christian honours God. He lives so as not to bring a reproach upon him or his cause, and so as to teach the world to honour him who has bestowed such grace upon him. Who hath called you . . (c) "walk worthy" (d) "who hath"

1 Thessalonians 2:12

Verse 12. That ye would walk worthy of God, etc. That you would live in such a manner as would honour God, who has chosen you to be his friends. Eph 4:1. A child "walks worthy of a parent" when he lives in such way as to reflect honour on that parent for the method in which he has trained him; when he so lives as to bring no disgrace on him, so as not to pain his heart by misconduct, or so as to give no occasion to any to speak reproachfully of him. This he does, when

(1.) he keeps all his commands;

(2.) when he leads a life of purity and virtue;

(3.) when he carries out the principles of the family into his own life;

(4.) when he honours a father by evincing a profound respect for his opinions; and

(5.) when he endeavours to provide for his comfort, and to promote his welfare. In a manner similar to this, a true Christian honours God. He lives so as not to bring a reproach upon him or his cause, and so as to teach the world to honour him who has bestowed such grace upon him.

Who hath called you. 1Cor 1:9.

1 Thessalonians 5:24

Verse 24. Faithful is he that calleth you. That is, your sanctification after all depends on him, and as he has begun a work of grace in your hearts, you may depend on his faithfulness to complete it. 1Thes 4:3; Php 1:6; 1Cor 1:9.

2 Thessalonians 2:14

Verse 14. Wereunto he called you by our gospel. He made the gospel, as preached by us, the means of calling you to salvation. That is, God has chosen you to salvation from eternity, and has made the gospel as preached by us the means of carrying that eternal purpose into effect.

To the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. That you may partake of the same glory as the Saviour in heaven. Jn 17:22,24.

2 Timothy 1:9

Verse 9. Who hath saved us. Mt 1:21. He has brought us into a state in which salvation is so certain, that Paul could speak of it as if it were already done.

And called us. Rom 8:28; Rom 8:30.

With an holy calling. A calling which is in its own mature holy, and which leads to holiness. Comp. Eph 4:1; Php 3:14; Heb 3:1.

Not according to our works. Tit 3:6; Eph 2:8, Eph 2:9. The idea is, that our own works have nothing to do in inducing God to call us. As, when we become Christians, he does not choose us because of our works, so the eternal purpose in regard to our salvation could not have been formed because he foresaw that we would perform such works as would be a reason why he should choose us. The whole arrangement was irrespective of our deserts.

But according to his own purpose and grace. Rom 9:11; also Rom 9:12-13,16; Eph 1:4,6.

Which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. That is, which he intended to give us, for it was not then actually given. The thing was so certain in the Divine purposes, that it might be said to be already done. Comp. Rom 4:17.

(e) "saved us" Mt 1:21 (f) "called" Rom 8:28,30 (g) "not according" Tit 3:5 (h) "purpose" De 7:7,8 (i) "before" Eph 1:4