2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, and 1st Timothy.

This volume of Alexander Maclaren’s “Expositions of Holy Scripture” gathers selected sermons from 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, and 1 Timothy. It is not a continuous technical commentary on every verse. Maclaren selects passages that carry strong doctrinal, devotional, and practical weight and develops their implications for Christian faith and conduct. Philippians receives the most sustained treatment and therefore forms the strongest individual-book study in the volume.

In 2 Corinthians, Maclaren moves from holiness and godly sorrow into grace, generosity, ministry, spiritual conflict, weakness, and the sufficiency of God. Second Corinthians 7:1 becomes a substantial treatment of cleansing and holiness in the Christian life. Chapters 8–9 receive a concentrated series of sermons on Christian giving: the self-emptying grace of Christ, willingness, completing what one has purposed, God’s ability to supply for every good work, and giving as participation in divine grace. Second Corinthians 10:3–6 supplies a supporting treatment of spiritual warfare as the bringing of thought and will into obedience to Christ, while chapter 12 shows divine strength manifested through human weakness.

Galatians develops justification by faith, union with Christ, freedom from confidence in outward religious standing, and life in the Holy Spirit. Galatians 2:20 is expounded as a defining statement of the believer’s identification with Christ in death and life. Galatians 5:16–23 gives sustained attention to walking by the Spirit, conflict with the flesh, and the fruit produced by the indwelling Spirit. Faith therefore issues in a transformed walk rather than remaining an abstract doctrine.

Philippians is the volume’s largest continuous section. Maclaren treats Paul’s affection for the church, prayer for discernment, joy under pressure, unity, humility, steadfastness, and the supremacy of knowing Christ. Philippians 2:5–11 receives substantial Christological exposition through Christ’s self-humbling and exaltation, while Philippians 3:7–14 develops the loss of religious self-confidence, righteousness through faith, knowing Christ, the power of His resurrection, and pressing toward the goal. Philippians 4 is especially well represented through sermons on steadfastness, rejoicing, prayer, the peace of God, disciplined thought, contentment, fellowship in giving, God’s provision, and grace.

Colossians turns these truths toward Christian identity and progress. Colossians 3:1–15 receives extended treatment of being raised with Christ, setting the mind on things above, putting off the old patterns of life, and putting on character consistent with resurrection life. Union with Christ is therefore shown as a practical source of holiness and growth.

The Thessalonian letters bring Christ’s return and resurrection hope into prominence. First Thessalonians 4:13–18 addresses believers grieving those who have died and roots comfort in the Lord’s return and resurrection. First Thessalonians 5 connects future hope with present watchfulness, spiritual armor, mutual edification, and continual prayer. Second Thessalonians continues the expectation of Christ’s coming while emphasizing calling, steadfastness, consolation, love, and peace.

First Timothy returns to the heart of the gospel and its practical effects through love from a pure heart, Christ’s coming to save sinners, Paul as an example of mercy, prayer, spiritual discipline, public confession, and laying hold on true life.

Across the volume, doctrine repeatedly becomes Christian experience: grace produces generosity, union with Christ reshapes identity, the Spirit produces holiness and character, prayer gives way to peace, resurrection life changes present conduct, and the second coming strengthens hope and perseverance. The book serves readers asking what major passages in these Pauline letters mean and how gospel truth becomes lived discipleship—especially readers studying Philippians, Galatians 2 and 5, Colossians 3, or 1 Thessalonians 4.