I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
There are two elements to this passage that ought to be considered.
First is the public interest of the epistle.
The Word of God claims that not just this verse, or certain parts of the epistle, but all of the epistle should be read. Also, that this epistle, in its entirety, should be read to all the holy brethren. There are no exclusions, and there are no exceptions as to what should be read or to whom.
Given the nature of the Bible as a whole, and passages of similar tenor elsewhere, I believe it is fair to apply this to the epistle and the entire Bible. No part of the Bible should be kept from any believer. The whole Bible is appropriate for the whole body of the local church, no exceptions.
John Gill writes, “the whole church whom it concerned, that all might hear, and learn, and receive some advantage from it…”
Second is the solemn charge in the text
Albert Barnes writes of this, “It is equivalent to binding persons by an oath.” Not only is the Word of God approved for everyone, but it is an act of negligence to keep it from anyone. It is our obligation, our duty, to see that all of the holy brethren hear all of the Word of God.
If the charge is taken to be written to those in the ministry, we see that our calling is to preach the whole counsel of God. If the charge is taken to be written to the church[1] as a whole, then we see that no Christian is free from this sacred oath.
[1] 1 Thessalonians 1:1 (KJV)
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
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