Anyone, then, who rejects this command does not reject man but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit.
despiseth, &c.--Greek, "setteth at naught" such engagements imposed on him in his calling, Th1 4:7; in relation to his "brother," Th1 4:6. He who doth so, "sets at naught not man (as for instance his brother), but God" (Psa 51:4) is used of despising or rejecting God's minister, it may mean here, "He who despiseth" or "rejecteth" these our ministerial precepts.
He therefore that despiseth,.... The Vulgate Latin adds, "these things"; these exhortations now delivered, the commandments given by the Lord Jesus Christ, and the will of God above declared; he that rejects these things with contempt, takes no notice of them, and acts not according to them, despiseth not man; not men only, the apostles of Christ, and ministers of the Gospel; for, by despising...
8 Who hath also given. That he may the more effectually turn away the Thessalonians from such contempt and obstinacy, he reminds them that they had been endowed with the Spirit of God, first, in order that they may distinguish what proceeds from God; secondly, that they make such a difference as is befitting between holiness and impurity; and thirdly, that, with heavenly authority, they...