That we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men--The curious word rendered “unreasonable” is rendered “amiss” in Luk_23:41, “wickedness” in Act_25:5, “harm” in Act_28:6, occurring nowhere else in the New Testament.
It properly means something “misplaced,” hence “extravagant,” “monstrous.” Thus the dying robber says that our Lord has done “nothing so monstrous” as to deserve crucifixon; Festus ironically invites the priests to a serious journey to St. Paul’s trial, “if there be something so monstrous in him”; the Maltese “say that nothing so monstrous happened to him after all.” So St. Paul wishes the Thessalonians to pray for his deliverance “from those monstrous and depraved people.” He is evidently meaning some particular foes whom he fears, for the original has the definite article. Who, then are those monstrous persons? If we turn to Act_18:6; Act_18:9; Act_18:12, and observe the circumstances under which the letter was written, we can hardly doubt that they are the unbelieving Jews of Corinth. From these Jews he was narrowly delivered. It was perhaps in direct answer to the prayers for which St. Paul here asks that he received the vision and assurances of our Lord, and that Gallio was moved to quash so abruptly the proceedings of the Jews. (Canon Mason.)
A marvellous deliverance
Aworthy servant of God, pastor in one of the cantons of Switzerland, took a lively interest in a prisoner condemned to death. On the evening before the execution the pastor could not account for a strange repugnance to perform a duty that he had hitherto discharged without hesitation. A voice within him seemed to say, “Do not go.” Fearing to neglect a duty, he ran to the prison. Arrived at the gate, the same irresistible voice seemed to say to him, “Do not enter.” The pastor returned to his study, assured that he was obeying the will of Him whom he desired to serve. He afterwards learned that the prisoner had resolved to make a desperate effort to escape, and as soon as the pastor entered that day, to attack him, and then escape to some place of concealment. The unhappy prisoner, exasperated by disappointment, roared with anger. The gaoler, hearing an unaccountable noise, suddenly entered the cell. The condemned man, supposing this was his intended victim, threw himself, with the fury of despair, on the gaoler, and struck him on the head with his irons. The gaoler fell dead, while the prisoner ran towards the gate to escape, and was only secured after a terrible conflict. (J. L. Nye.)
God a protector
Some years ago, a band of missionaries in the Fiji Islands found their home surrounded by a troop of savages armed for battle. Being both unable and unwilling to fight, they shut their door and began to pray. Presently the howling of the savages ceased. Then one of the missionaries went out, and found only one savage there. Said the missionary: “Where are your chiefs?” “They are gone. They heard you praying to your God; and they know yours is a strong God, and they are gone.” The savages were right at last. God is a strong God; strong to help those who love Him--strong to punish His enemies.
All men have not faith--
Lacking the essential
I. What faith is.
1. It is taking God at His word. Noah did it about a thing unknown (Heb_11:7); Abraham did it about a thing unlikely (Heb_11:17-19); Moses did it about a thing untried (Heb_11:28).
2. It is trusting Jesus at His invitation. The Jews who had no faith, had no profit (Heb_4:2); Peter who had little faith, had little comfort (Mat_14:28; Mat_14:30-31); the woman of Canaan, who had great faith, had a great blessing (Mat_15:28); the centurion, who had most faith, had most honour (Mat_8:10). Trust your souls to Christ’s care (Act_7:59); trust your sins to Christ’s cleansing (1Pe_1:18-19); trust your life to Christ’s keeping (Col_3:3-4).
II. Whence faith comes.
1. From God’s grace (Eph_2:8; Rom_12:3).
2. From God’s Word (Rom_10:17; 2Ti_3:15).
3. From God’s working (1Jn_5:1; Col_2:12).
4. From man’s heart (Rom_10:10; Rom_6:17).
III. How faith works.
1. It overcometh the world (1Jn_5:4).
2. It purifieth the heart (Act_15:8-9).
3. It worketh by love (Gal_5:6). Two great benefits come from faiths.
(1) the preciousness of Christ (1Pe_2:7);
(2) the blessedness of Christ (1Pe_1:8). (Archdeacon Richardson, M. A.)
