Word
of God
But
he replied and said, "It is written, 'It is not by bread alone
that a man lives, except by every word that issues from the mouth of
God
The
Gospel According to Matthew 4:4
The
Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians 3:15
Commentary
by Matthew Henry & John Gill
Edited/Prefaced
by Dr. Riktor Von Zhades
Yet
count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Brethren:
Above
is the conclusion of the previous verse. That while we’re not to
keep company (except in civil discourse or business), with one that
rejects the teaching of the Gospel or acts in a manner that it is
contrary to it’s teaching, we are in fact required to admonish such
a one in love and compassion and try to reach out to to that one to
either return them or bring them into the family of Christ. Likewise
forgive such a person if he or she is repentant, even if it is many
times in one day, for your Father in heaven has forgiven you daily of
your own sins. (Read Matthew 18:33-35; Luke 17:3-4) - Dr. R.V.Z
“Love
therefore to the persons of our offending brethren, even when we hate
their vices, should be the motive of our withdrawing from them; and
even those who are under the censures of the church must not be
accounted as enemies; for, if they be reclaimed and reformed by these
censures, they will recover their credit and comfort, and right to
church-privileges as brethren. Their general conduct and behaviour
ought to be according to the good example the apostle and those who
were with him had given them: Yourselves know how you ought to follow
us, (Read 2 Thessalonians 3:7). Those who planted religion among them
had set a good example before them; and the ministers of the gospel
should be ensamples to the flock. It is the duty of Christians not
only to walk according to the traditions of the apostles, and the
doctrines they preached, but also according to the good example they
set before them, to be followers of them so far as they were
followers of Christ.” - Matthew Henry
“As
one that has been called a brother, and a member of the church, and
who, though criminal, has no bitterness in him against the church, or
against the name of Christ, and the doctrines of Christ; and
therefore should not be treated in a virulent manner, but with a
brotherly affection, meekness, compassion, and tenderness; and who
indeed is to be reckoned as a brother, while the censure is passing,
and the sentence of excommunication is executing on him; for till it
is finished he stands in such a relation: though this also may have
respect, as to the manner of excommunicating persons, so to the
conduct of the church to such afterwards; who are not to neglect
them, and much less to treat them as enemies, in a cruel and
uncompassionate manner; but should inquire, and diligently observe,
what effect the ordinance of excommunication has upon them, and renew
their admonitions and friendly reproofs, if possible, to recover
them.” - John Gill
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