Wherefore comfort yourselves together
Either with the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, the
second coming of Christ, and the thoughts of being for ever with
him, and one another, and so may be a repetition of the advice in
( 1
Thessalonians 4:18 ) or with this consideration, that they
were not in a state of darkness, ignorance, and infidelity, but
were children of the light, and of the day, being called out of
darkness into marvellous light, and should enjoy the light of
life; and with the doctrine of predestination, they being
appointed not to that wrath they were deserving of, but to be
possessed of salvation by Jesus Christ, of which they could never
fail, since the purpose of God according to election always
stands sure, not upon the foot of works, but upon his own
sovereign and unchangeable grace; or with the doctrine of
Christ's sufferings and death, in their room and stead, whereby
the law was fulfilled, justice satisfied, their sins atoned for,
pardon procured, an everlasting righteousness brought in, and
their salvation fully accomplished, things the apostle had spoken
of in the context: the words will bear to be rendered, "exhort
one another"; that is, not to sleep, as do others, or indulge
themselves in sin and sloth; but to be sober, and upon their
watch and guard, and in a posture of defence against the enemy;
to put on the whole armour of God, and particularly the plate of
faith and love, and for an helmet the hope of salvation:
and edify one another;
by praying together, conversing with each other about the
doctrines of the Gospel, and the dealings of God with their
souls; abstaining from all corrupt communication, which has a
tendency to hurt each other's principles or practices, or to stir
up wrath and contention; attending only to those things which are
for the use of edifying, whereby their souls might be more and
more built upon Christ, and their most holy faith; and be a
rising edifice, and grow up unto an holy temple in the Lord, and
for an habitation of God through the Spirit:
even as also ye do;
which is said in their commendation, and not through flattery,
but to encourage them to go on in this way; and from whence it
may be observed, that mutual consolation, exhortation, and
edification, are things the saints should be stirred up to
frequently, even though they are regarded by them, and much more
then should these be pressed upon them who are careless and
negligent of them.