*H But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not, that we should write to you:
Ver. 1. Of the times and moments. That is, of the day of judgment, of the end of the world, of the destruction of Jerusalem. It is enough to know the time is uncertain, and that death cometh as a thief in the night. Wi. — When the judgment shall take place the Angels themselves do not know. Perhaps S. Paul, when wrapt up to the third heaven, may have learnt something on this subject; for he was told many things which he could not announce to man; therefore, he says, I need not write to you: it is unnecessary for us to know it. Calmet.
* Footnote * 2_Peter 3 : 10
But the day of the Lord shall come as a thief, in which the heavens shall pass away with great violence and the elements shall be melted with heat and the earth and the works which are in it shall be burnt up.* Footnote * Apocalypse 3 : 3
Have in mind therefore in what manner thou hast received and heard: and observe and do penance: If then thou shalt not watch, I will come to thee as a thief: and thou shalt not know at what hour I will come to thee.* Footnote * Apocalypse 16 : 15
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.*H But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief.
Ver. 4. Overtake you. It is a subject of astonishment, that some people are so childishly afraid of the last day, that they cannot think of it without consternation, lest it should happen in their time. Weak souls! Do they not recollect that death will certainly overtake them, and that will be to them individually the end of the world, and the last day. The whole world then does perish as far as regards them. A.
*H For all you are the children of light and children of the day: we are not of the night nor of darkness.
Ver. 5. You are the children of light. That is, there is little danger of thieves in the day time, when it is light. Also watch and have arms to defend you, the coat of mail of faith; the helmet of hope: you are under the protection of Christ, who died for you, and for your salvation. See S. Chrys. p. 293, &c. Wi.
*H But let us, who are of the day, be sober, having on the breast plate of faith and charity and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
Ver. 8. The Christian's panoply is not faith alone, but faith, hope and charity, as we see here.
* Footnote * Isaias 59 : 17
He put on justice as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head: he put on the garments of vengeance, and was clad with zeal as with a cloak.* Footnote * Ephesians 6 : 14
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate of justice:* Footnote * Ephesians 6 : 17
And take unto you the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God).*H Who died for us: that, whether we watch or sleep, we may live together with him.
Ver. 10. Whether we wake or sleep. That is, whether we be of the number of those whom Jesus Christ shall find still upon earth, when he shall come to judgment, or among those who have slept and returned to dust, it is his will that we should be his. Theodoret.
*H And we beseech you, brethren, rebuke the unquiet: comfort the feeble minded: support the weak: be patient towards all men.
Ver. 14. Rebuke, or correct the unquiet. [1] By the Greek, it signifies the disorderly, or those that keep no order. Wi.
* Footnote * Proverbs 17 : 13
He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.* Footnote * Proverbs 20 : 22
Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord, and he will deliver thee.* Footnote * Romans 12 : 17
To no man rendering evil for evil. Providing good things, not only in the sight of God but also in the sight of all men.* Footnote * 1_Peter 3 : 9
Not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing: for unto this are you called, that you may inherit a blessing.*H Always rejoice.
Ver. 16. Always rejoice. It is usual for S. Paul to recommend joy to the faithful. Cheerfulness is indeed the characteristic of true virtue, which by no means consists in, nor encourages, sourness or moroseness, as some mistaken people imagine. God loves a cheerful giver. Sorrow, which is of this world, killeth. A.
* Footnote * Luke 18 : 1
And he spoke also a parable to them, that we ought always to pray and not to faint,* Footnote * Colossians 4 : 2
Be instant in prayer: watching in it with thanksgiving.*H Extinguish not the spirit.
Ver. 19. Do not oppose either the interior gifts of the holy Spirit, which are his graces, nor his exterior gifts of prophecy, &c. Take the regular precautions of prudence, that you be not deceived by those who pretend to be inspired; but when satisfied that the inspiration comes from heaven, do not despise it. Be like good bankers, take the good coin, and reject the counterfeit. S. Cyril Alex.
*H But prove all things: hold fast that which is good.
Ver. 21. Prove all things. That is, examine prophecies whether they be true, and the doctrine which you hear from new preachers, and refrain yourselves not only from evil, but from every thing that hath the appearance of evil, and which may disedify and scandalize others. Wi. — Hold that which is good. This we can best learn from the doctrine of the apostles, and the spirit of the Catholic Church. Men can deceive and be deceived, but the Spirit of God, speaking to us by his Church, can neither deceive us nor be deceived.
*H And may the God of peace himself sanctify you in all things: that your whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ver. 23. Spirit, and soul. The former marks the understanding, the latter the will: hence these two terms give the two principal faculties of the soul. V.