1 Thessalonians 2:12 - Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Bible Study & Commentary

Verse 12

to the end that ye should walk worthily of God, who calleth you into his own kingdom and glory.

Thus, the kind of "testifying" mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 2:11 consisted of apostolic preaching of God's commandments that people should lead respectable, blameless, moral and upright lives in the church!

Calleth you into his own kingdom and glory ... The kingdom of God presently exists in the community of Christians on earth, that kingdom having been set up on the first Pentecost following the resurrection of the Son of God from the dead; but there will be an eternal phase of the kingdom, mentioned by Peter (2 Peter 1:11). By using one possessive for "kingdom" and "glory" Paul indicated that just one kingdom is in view; but, since the present phase of God's kingdom is not one of glory (in the ultimate sense), it is probable that Paul indicated (by the word "glory") the same eternal phase mentioned by Peter.

Calleth ... indicates not only that the kingdom is a present reality, but that the door is still open for all who wish to enter. It is a mistake to read this as saying that Paul expected the "glory" phase of the kingdom to start any day and that God was calling the Thessalonians into that! Nevertheless, that is exactly the way some have misconstrued it. Mason was right in the affirmation that:

The Thessalonians were at that time, by baptism, already members of the kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13), but were not yet so assured in their new allegiance as to be certain of reaching the full-developed glory of that kingdom. Note again the thought of the Advent.[23]

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible

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James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible

James Burton Coffman was a prolific author, preacher, teacher and leader among churches of Christ in the 20th century.He was born May 24, 1905, in Taylor County to pioneer West Texans "so far out in the country it took two days to go to town and back." He became a Christian in 1923. In Texas, Coffman graduated from Abilene High School and enrolled in Abilene Christian College (now University), graduating in 1927 with a B.A. in history and music.After earning his degree, Coffman served as a high school principal for two years in Callahan County, then taught history and English at Abilene High School.In 1930, he was offered a position as associate minister and song leader in Wichita Falls, the beginning of his career as a minister. Then, he married Thelma "Sissy" Bradford in 1931. Coffman preached for congregations in Texas; Oklahoma; Washington, D.C.; and New York City. In his lifetime, Coffman received 3 honorary doctorates.While in Washington, he was offered the opportunity to serve as guest chaplain for the U.S. Armed Forces in Japan and Korea and served 90 days, holding Gospel meetings throughout both countries.Coffman conducted hundreds of gospel meetings throughout the U.S. and, at one count, baptized more than 3,000 souls.Retiring in 1971, he returned to Houston. One of his most notable accomplishments was writing a 37-volume commentary of the entire Bible, verse by verse, which was finished in 1992. This commentary is being sold all over the world. Many people consider the Coffman series to be one of the finest modern, conservative commentary sets written.Coffman's conservative interpretations affirm the inerrancy of the Bible and clearly point readers toward Scripture as the final basis for Christian belief and practice. This series was written with the thorough care of a research scholar, yet it is easy to read. The series includes every book of the Old and New Testaments.After being married to Sissy for 64 years, she passed away. Coffman then married June Bristow Coffman. James Burton Coffman died on Friday, June 30, 2006, at the age of 101.... Show more

One of the leading authorities in the Church of Christ, Dr. Coffman presents a verse by verse look at God's Word.... Show more

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