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Selected Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:8 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Th 4:8 |
King James |
He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
despiseth, &c.--Greek, "setteth at naught" such engagements imposed on him in his calling, Th1 4:7; in relation to his "brother," Th1 4:6. He who doth so, "sets at naught not man (as for instance his brother), but God" (Psa 51:4) is used of despising or rejecting God's minister, it may mean here, "He who despiseth" or "rejecteth" these our ministerial precepts.
who hath also given unto us--So some oldest manuscripts read, but most oldest manuscripts read, "Who (without 'also') giveth (present) unto you" (not "us").
his Spirit--Greek, "His own Spirit, the Holy (One)"; thus emphatically marking "holiness" (Th1 4:7) as the end for which the Holy (One) is being given. "Unto you," in the Greek, implies that the Spirit is being given unto, into (put "into" your hearts), and among you (compare Th1 2:9; Eph 4:30). "Giveth" implies that sanctification is not merely a work once for all accomplished in the past, but a present progressive work. So the Church of England Catechism, "sanctifieth (present) all the elect people of God." "His own" implies that as He gives you that which is essentially identical with Himself, He expects you should become like Himself (Pe1 1:16; Pe2 1:4). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
He therefore that despiseth - Margin, "rejecteth." That is, he who disregards such commands as these which call him to a holy life, is really rejecting and disobeying God. Some might be disposed to say that these were merely the precepts of man, and that therefore it was not important whether they were obeyed or not. The apostle assures them in the most solemn manner, that, though communicated to them by man, yet they were really the commands of God.
Who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit - This is a claim to inspiration. Paul did not give these commands as his own, but as taught by the Spirit of God; compare notes on Co1 7:40. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Despiseth (ἀθετῶν)
Better, rejecteth. Setteth aside. Comp. Gal 2:21; Gal 3:15; Co1 1:19. Used in N.T. both of persons and things.
His Holy Spirit (τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτοῦ τὸ ἅγιον)
Solemn and emphatic: His Spirit, the holy. Similarly, Act 15:8, Act 15:28; Act 19:6; Act 20:23; Eph 1:13; Eph 4:30. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| He that despiseth - The commandments we gave. Despiseth God - Himself. Who hath also given you his Holy Spirit - To convince you of the truth, and enable you to be holy. What naked majesty of words! How oratorical, and yet with what great simplicity! - a simplicity that does not impair, but improve, the understanding to the utmost; that, like the rays of heat through a glass, collects all the powers of reason into one orderly point, from being scattered abroad in utter confusion. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
He therefore that despiseth - He who will not receive these teachings, and is led either to undervalue or despise them, despises not us but God, from whom we have received our commission, and by whose Spirit we give these directions. See Clarke's note on Th1 4:15.
Hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit - Instead of εις ἡμας, unto Us, εις ὑμας, unto You, is the reading of BDEFG, a great many others, the Syriac, all the Arabic, Armenian, later Syriac in the margin, some of the Itala, Clement, Didymus, and Ambrosiaster; this seems to be the better reading. God has taught us that we may teach you; and he has also given you his Holy Spirit that ye might understand and be enabled to practice these things. It is one thing to receive a revelation from the Spirit of God; it is another thing to receive that Spirit to enable a man to live according to that revelation. In the first sense the apostles alone received this Holy Spirit; in the latter sense all true Christians, as well as the Thessalonians, receive it. I think ὑμας, you, is the true reading, and that it is confirmed by the following verse: For ye yourselves are Taught of God to love one another. Griesbach has inserted it in the margin, but has not admitted it into the text, because it has not what he deemed full support from those MSS. which are of the Alexandrian recension; but he thought its genuineness very probable. |
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.