2 Thessalonians 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints… I. THE STATE ITSELF. It is one of glory. There is twofold glory put upon the saints. 1. Relative which consists of three things — (1) The free and full forgiveness of our sins by the Judge (Acts 3:19). Which pardon is — (a) Constitutive by God's new covenant (Acts 10:43). (b) Declarative when God as a Judge determines our right. (c) Executively when He remits the deserved penalty, and gives glory and happiness, All this is done in part here, but more fully at the last day. (2) A participation of judicial power (1 Corinthians 6:2, 3; Luke 22:30). Here some of the saints judge the world by their doctrine; all by their conversation (Hebrews 11:7); there by vote and suffrage. (3) Christ's public owning them before God and His angels, by head and poll, man by man (Luke 12:8; Colossians 1:22; Jude 1:24; Ephesians 5:27; Hebrews 2:18). 2. Inherent (Galatians 1:16 cf. Romans 8:18). This glory will be revealed — (1) In our bodies which shall be made — (a) Immortal and incorruptible (1 Corinthians 15:42). (b) Like Christ's glorious body (1 Corinthians 15:43; Matthew 17:2; Matthew 13:43). (c) A spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15:44). (2) In our souls which will be fully satisfied and filled up with God (1 John 3:2). II. THE MEASURE OF THE GLORY CHRIST WILL IMPART. It is a thing so great that it is said — 1. He shall come to be glorified in the saints. Paul does not say that the saints shall be glorified (Romans 8:17); that were less though much. Nor does he say Christ shall be glorified in Himself (1 Peter 4:13), but in the saints. He is glorified in the glory which results to Him from their glory. His experience shows — (1) The certainty of this effect of His coming. If His glory be concerned in our glorification, we may be the more confident of it. (2) The greatness; for how is Christ glorified in the saints? (a) Objectively. God is glorified by impression. So all His creatures glorify Him, i.e., offer matter to set forth His glory (Psalm 145:10; Ephesians 1:12). Not speak but be. (b) Actively by expression (Psalm 1.23; 1 Peter 2:9). He will be admired in those that believe.We admire all those things which exceed knowledge and expectation. That glory shall exceed all hope; but who are the parties that shall wonder? (1) The good angels — the spectators, not the parties interested, but beings marvellously affected by the salvation of sinners (1 Peter 1:12; Ephesians 3:10). (2) The wicked are amazed when they see those so much loved and advanced by Christ whose lives they counted madness and folly. (3) The saints themselves are filled with wonder, they finding their expectation so much exceeded; for admiration is the overplus of expectation. Even in what is revealed, the saints find many astonishing instances of God's love (1 Peter 2:9). III. THE AUTHOR: Christ. How He is concerned in this; for it is not said the saints shall be glorified, but He. Our glory as it comes from Christ redounds to Him (Romans 11:36). 1. He is the procurer of this glorious estate for us by His death and sufferings (Ephesians 1:14; Romans 8:13; Ephesians 5:27). He gave Himself, not only to sanctify, but to glorify His people. 2. He has promised it in His gracious covenant (1 John 2:25). 3. He dispenses it. As the husband rises in honour, so does the wife; when the head is crowned the members are clothed with honour; when the Captain enters glory it is with His followers (Hebrews 2:10). 4. He is the pattern of it (Romans 8:29; Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2). IV. THE SUBJECTS — "His saints," "All that believe." Mark — 1. The connection between these two characters — saints and believers. It implies that those who by faith so separate themselves from the world and consecrate themselves to God shall be glorified (Acts 26:18). 2. This glory is limited to saints and believers (John 3:15; Colossians 3:12; Acts 20:32; Acts 26:18). 3. Though it be limited to saints, yet there is a great difference between the saints. Some are eminent in grace; others weak and dark; some will be raised, others changed; but they all agree in this that Christ will be glorified in all. The glory that will be put upon the humblest will be enough to raise the wonder of angels. V. THE SEASON: "In that day." For this public honour we must wait till the time fixed. It is not meet that the adopted children should have their glory till the Son of God by nature, be publicly manifested. There is no congruity, between their present state and this blessedness. 1. The place is not fit it is so full of changes. 2. The persons are not fit. Our souls are not yet purified enough to see God (Matthew 5:8; 1 John 3:3). When Christ presents us to God we shall be faultless (Jude 1:25). Old bottles cannot bear this new wine (Matthew 17:16). 3. The time is not fit. We must be some time upon our trial before we enter upon our final estate. It is fit that Christ should be admired now in the graces, but then in the glory of His people (1 Peter 4:4).Uses: 1. To wean us from the vain glory of this world. 2. To encourage us to seek after this glorious estate by continuance in well-doing. (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. |
    |