1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, to the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ… I. IT IS HARMONIOUS IN ITS OUTFLOW. 1. Paul, though the only apostle of the three, did not assume the title or display any superiority. The others had been owned of God equally with himself in Thessalonica and were held in high esteem by the converts. Timothy was only a young man, and it is a significant testimony to his character that he should be associated with men so distinguished. Each had his distinctive individuality, talent, and mode of working; but there was an emphatic unity of purpose in bringing about results. 2. The association also indicated perfect accord in the Divine character of Paul's doctrines. Not that it gave additional value to them. Truth is vaster than the individual, whatever gifts he possesses or lacks. 3. What s suggestive lesson of confidence and unity was taught the Thessalonians by the harmonious example of their teachers. II. RECOGNIZES THE CHURCH'S SUBLIME ORIGIN. 1. The Church is divinely founded. "In" denotes intimate union with God, and is equivalent to John 17:21. 2. The Church is divinely sustained. Founded in God, it is upheld by Him. Thus the Church survives opposition, and the fret and wear of change. But this is withdrawn from apostate churches. III. SUPPLICATES THE HIGHEST BLESSINGS. 1. Grace includes all temporal good and all spiritual benefits. The generosity of God knows no stint. A monarch once threw open his gardens to the public during the summer months. The gardener, finding it troublesome, complained that the visitors plucked the flowers. "What," said the king, "are my people fond of flowers? Then plant some more!" So our Heavenly King scatters on our daily path the flowers of blessing, and as fast as we can gather them, in spite of the grudging world. 2. Peace includes all the happiness resulting from a participation in the Divine favour. (1) Peace with God, with whom sin has placed us in antagonism. (2) Peace of conscience. (3) Peace one with another. 3. The source and medium of all the blessings desired. "From God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." The Jew could only say, "God be gracious unto you, and remember His covenant;" but the Christian "honours the Son, even as he honours the Father." The Father's love and the Son's work are the sole source and cause of every Christian blessing.Learn — 1. The freeness and fulness of the gospel. 2. The spirit we should cultivate towards others: that of genuine Christian benevolence and sympathy. We can supplicate for others no higher good than grace and peace. (G. Barlow.) Parallel Verses KJV: Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
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