1 Thessalonians 5:9

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, etc.] To destruction and ruin, the effect of wrath; though there are some that are vessels of wrath, fitted for destruction, of old ordained to condemnation, and who are reserved for the day of evil; but there are others who are equally children of wrath, as deserving of the wrath of God in themselves as others, who are not appointed to it; which is an instance of wonderful and distinguishing grace to them: but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ; salvation is alone by Christ, he alone has wrought it out; it is in him, and in no other; he was appointed to this work, was called and sent, and came to do it, and has done it; and God's elect, who…”

“For--assigning the ground of our "hopes" (Th1 5:8). appointed us--Translate, "set" (Act 13:47), in His everlasting purpose of love (Th1 3:3; Ti2 1:9). Contrast Rom 9:22; Jde 1:4. to--that is, unto wrath. to obtain--Greek, "to the acquisition of salvation"; said, according to BENGEL, Of One saved out of a general wreck, when all things else have been lost: so of the elect saved out of the multitude of the lost (Th2 2:13-14). The fact of God's "appointment" of His grace "through Jesus Christ" (Eph 1:5), takes away the notion of our being able to "acquire" salvation of ourselves. Christ "acquired (so the Greek for 'purchased') the Church (and its salvation) with His own blood" (Act 20:28); each…”

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath - This is designed as an encouragement to effort to secure our salvation. The wish of God is to save us, and therefore we should watch and be sober; we should take to ourselves the whole of the Christian armor, and strive for victory. If he had appointed us to wrath, effort would have been in vain, for we could do nothing but yield to our inevitable destiny. The hope of a final triumph should animate us in our efforts, and cheer us in our struggles with our foes. How much does the hope of victory animate the soldier in battle! When morally certain of success, how his arm is nerved! When everything conspires to favor him, and when he seems to feel that…”

“God hath not appointed us to wrath - As he hath the obstinately impenitent. 1 Thessalonians 5:10”

“5:9 God’s anger (1:10; 2:16; Rom 5:9; cp. 2 Thes 1:6-10; 2:8) represents the carrying out of his judgment against evil. However, God destined believers for salvation, not wrath (2 Thes 2:13-14), and they will escape the terrors of the day of the Lord (1 Thes 5:1-3).”

“not: Th1 1:10, Th1 3:3; Exo 9:16; Pro 16:4; Eze 38:10-17; Mat 26:24; Act 1:20, Act 1:25; Act 13:48; Rom 9:11-23; Ti2 2:19, Ti2 2:20; Pe1 2:8; Pe2 2:3; Jde 1:4 obtain: Rom 11:7, Rom 11:30; Th2 2:13, Th2 2:14; Ti1 1:13, Ti1 1:16; Ti2 2:10; Pe1 2:10; Pe2 1:1 Next: 2 Thessalonians Introduction”