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February 1—Morning Devotion
"And they shall call his name Emanuel, which, being interpreted, is God with us."—Matthew 1:23 My soul, hast thou never remarked what a peculiar beauty and sweetness there is in every name by which thy God and Saviour is made known to thee in his holy word? Surely, if nothing more had been intended by it, than to identify and…
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122 Anathema
ANATHEMA Imports whatever is set apart, separated, or divided; but is most usually meant to express the cutting off of a person from the communion of the faithful. It was practised in the primitive church against notorious offenders. Several councils also have pronounced anathemas against such as they thought corrupted the purity of the faith. Anathema Maranatha, mentioned by Paul,…
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2 Thessalonians: Chapter 1, Introduction (Daily Commentary)
This chapter, besides the inscription and salutation, contains a thanksgiving for the flourishing condition in which the graces of the Spirit were in these saints, and consolation for them under their suffering circumstances. The inscription and salutation are in (2 Thessalonians 1:1,2). And are as usual: the thanksgiving is in (2 Thessalonians 1:3). For the growth of their faith, the…
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January 31—Morning Devotion
"What, think ye that he will not come to the feast?"—John 11:56 Is this thy inquiry, my soul, when at any time thou art seeking Jesus in his word, in his ordinances, at his table? Will he not come? Will Jesus not be there? Think how, he hath dealt in times past. Did not Jesus rejoice when the hour arrived…
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121 Apostasy
APOSTASY A forsaking or renouncing our religion, either by an open declaration in words, or a virtual declaration of it by our actions. The primitive Christian church distinguished several kinds of apostacy; the first, of those who went entirely from Christianity to Judaism; the second, of those who complied so far with the Jews, as to communicate with them in…
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2 Thessalonians: Introduction
This second epistle was written, not from Athens, as the subscription testifies, nor from Rome, as Athanasius supposes; but from Corinth, from whence was sent the former, and where the apostle and Timothy, and Silvanus met; and which was sent about half a year after the other. The design of which is to comfort and support the Thessalonians under the…
