1 Thessalonians 4:8 He therefore that despises, despises not man, but God, who has also given to us his holy Spirit. I. The rejection of Christianity CANNOT ARISE FROM A SUPERIOR INTELLECT on the part of infidels. Infidelity is not an intellectual state. But if great names are cited as giving sanction to unbelief, we can quote greater names as allies of faith. II. Nor can it be traced TO THEIR SUPERIOR KNOWLEDGE. The same sources of learning are open to believer and sceptic, and it has yet to be shown that the former have been less assiduous in drawing from them than the latter. On the contrary, the infidel must be charged with ignorance oral. 1. The language of Holy Writ. 2. Philosophy. 3. Historical facts and monuments. III. Nor to THEIR SUPERIOR MORALITY. 1. Can the despisers point to superior moral examples? It is well known that many fall off to infidelity through immorality. 2. Can they produce a superior system? The world does not contain the equal of Christianity. 3. Can they present superior motives? Anti-Christian morality, whatever may be its achievements, and these are small indeed, is ever based upon the motive that is either weak or low. (T. Archer, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. |
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