Word
of God
Man
does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from
the mouth of God
Matthew
4:4
The
First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians 2:13
Study
notes by John Gill
Edited/Prefaced
by Doktor Riktor Von Zhades
13
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, that when ye
received the word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as
the word of men, but as it is indeed the word of God, which also
worketh in you that believe.
Brethren:
“‘The
word of hearing of God’, (Read Romans 10:13), as the Vulgate Latin
version from the Greek text literally renders it; that is, the Gospel
which was preached by the apostles, and was heard and received by
these Thessalonians: and it is called the word of God, because God is
the author of it; it comes from him, and is ministered by his
authority, and is a part of that written word which is given by his
inspiration; and because his grace in choosing, redeeming,
justifying, pardoning, adopting, regenerating, and giving eternal
life to men, and the declaration of his will concerning saving them
by his Son Jesus Christ, are the subject matter of it; and because he
owns and blesses it, for the conversion and comfort of his people:
and it may be called the word of hearing of God, because coming from
him, and containing his will, and preached by his order, and
succeeded by his power, hearing comes by it; it is divinely breathed
by him; he speaks in it by his ministers, and he is heard of in it by
his people; as he was by these believers, who heard his word both
externally and internally; and received it into their understandings,
so as to know it spiritually and experimentally; into their minds,
not merely notionally, and so as to assent to the truth of it, and
give credit to it, but so as to believe in Christ revealed in it; and
into their affections, in the love of it, and with joy in the Holy
Ghost; they received it gladly, and with meekness and readiness, so
that it became the ingrafted word, and brought forth fruit in them.
Ye
received it not as the word of men: which is often fallacious and
deceitful, at least dubious and uncertain, and not to be depended on;
nor did they receive it as the words of wise men are received, and
because it was clothed with the wisdom, eloquence, and oratory of
men, for it was destitute of these; nor upon the credit and authority
of men, no, not of the apostles themselves:
But
as it is in truth the word of God it appearing to be agreeably to the
perfections of his nature, and to the Scriptures of truth, and it
bearing his impress and divine authority, they received it with much
assurance and certainty, as infallible truth; and which was
inviolably to be adhered to, without any alteration, without adding
to it or taking from it; and to be had and retained in the greatest
esteem and reverence, and never to be departed from: and that they
received it in this manner, appears from its operation in them.” -
John Gill - Theologian
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