Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Thessalonians 2:15

15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus , and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God , and are contrary to all men .

No wonder then though they have persecuted you, and the believing Iewes their Country-men. They killed the Lord Jesus by the hands of Pilate, crying, Crucifie him, crucifie him. Though it was by Gods determinate counsel, and the Roman power, yet by the Iewes malice they killed him, Mat. 21.38. This is the heir, let us kill him.

By the figure called Meiosis, its meant they highly displeased God, and were haters of God, and hated, and now rejected of him. Though they had the advantages and reasons to please God above all other people, having had the Law and Ordinances of his Worship among them, yet they pleased not God. And particularly in their persecutions of the Gospel, and the Apostles though they might think that therein they did God good service, as Ioh. 16.2.

Contrary in their worship, laws and customs. Or rather contrary to all men, in hindering the course of the Gospel appointed for mens Salvation. And despising all other Nations in comparison of themselves, they were apt to be Seditious, and raise tumults every where, and to disdain familiarity and common friendship with the Gentiles.

Of their own Nation, and directed and sent particularly to them of God; so that it was no new thing in them thus to do. Not that these individual Iewes who persecuted Paul, killed the Prophets, but they were of the same Nation, the same blood, and of the same spirit with them, and were the children of them that killed the Prophets, as our Saviour charged them, Mat 23.31. The Spirit of Persecution was natural to them; it descended from one generation to another: Their Kings were guilty of it, their Priests, their false prophets, and the common people. And though better things might be expected of the Iewes than any other people, yet thus they did. And it was not only because of the new Doctrine or Worship that the Apostles preached, for they killed their own Prophets before them; but it was their love to their Lusts, hatred of Reproof, enmity to Holiness, &c. that was the cause. And Christ himself chargeth them with the same things, Mat. 23.37. Oh Ierusalem, thou which killest the Prophets, &c. And foretells it as that which they would yet practice, Mat. 23.34.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 3 letters]sed us [illegible: 1 word].