1 Thessalonians 4:8 - Exposition

He therefore that despiseth ; or, as it is in the margin, rejecteth (R.V.). What is rejected is either the above commands to moral purity, or the Christian calling to holiness, or, better still, Paul himself, as the organ of God. Despiseth ; or, rejecteth. Not man; that is, not me, as if the commands were given from myself—were of mere human origin. But God ; the Giver of these commands. So also Peter said unto Ananias, "Thou hast not lied unto man, but unto God" ( Acts 5:4 ); and our Lord says, "He that rejecteth you rejecteth me" ( Luke 10:16 ). Who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit. If this is the correct reading, then the apostle here again asserts his own inspiration, and that in the strongest and plainest terms. The best manuscripts, however, read, "who giveth his Holy Spirit unto you" (R.V.)—a strong enforcement of holiness, inasmuch as the Holy Spirit was given them for the express purpose of producing holiness within them.