2 Thessalonians 1:1-3 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: In some of the Epistles we have the Church presented in a declining state, and suitable admonitions are given to her; in other Epistles we see her prospering, and hear the counsels of infinite wisdom proclaimed unto her. The Thessalonian Church was of the latter character, and seems to have been eminently favoured of her God. She was high in the esteem of the apostle; and deservedly so, because conspicuous among all the Churches of that age for high attainments. I. THE HAPPY STATE OF THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH. In her infant state she was highly commended for "her works of faith, and labours of love, and patience of hope"; but here we view her in her adult state. 1. Her increasing faith. This "had grown exceedingly," being daily more vivid in its apprehensions, more vigorous in its actings, and more uniform in its effects. Their faith had evinced its growth in that it had enabled them to see, almost as with their bodily eyes, the Saviour they loved, enthroned above all powers, invested with a fulness of spiritual gifts, ordering all things in heaven and earth, and, by His prevailing intercession at the right hand of God, securing to His believing people all the blessings of grace and glory. A corresponding energy, too, was felt through all the powers of their souls, accompanied with a fixed determination to live for Him who lived and died for them. 2. Her abounding love. In almost every Church there are comparative alienations of heart, if not some actual disagreements; but here "the charity of every one of them all toward each other abounded." One spirit pervaded the whole body; and time, instead of giving occasion to the enemy to foment differences, had only cemented and confirmed their mutual affection, so that they were greatly assimilated to the very image of Him whose name and nature is Love. Happy people! 3. Her invincible patience. Great had been the trials of her members from the beginning (1 Thessalonians 2:14, 15); but they were not intimidated: "they held fast the profession of their faith with out wavering," "in nothing terrified by their adversaries"; "for they had respect unto the recompence of the reward." They even glorified in their sufferings; and so "possessed their souls in patience," and allowed "patience to have her perfect work." What an enviable state was this! II. THE LIGHT IN WHICH THE APOSTLE VIEWED THIS STATE. 1. He regarded it as a fit subject of thanksgiving to God. "Of Him," and Him alone, "was their fruit found." To Him therefore St. Paul gave the glory, "as it was meet" he should, and as he felt himself "bound" to do. So should we acknowledge God in all that is good, and glorify Him for it. 2. He regarded their state also as a fit subject of commendation to other Churches. He gloried of them in those where he ministered, in order to stimulate them to greater exertions, and encourage them to expect greater measures of Divine grace, in order to their own more exalted proficiency. 3. He further regarded their state as a fit subject of congratulation to themselves. Their graces, exercised under very trying circumstances, sufficiently demonstrated that there must be a future state of retribution, where the present inequalities of the Divine procedure would be rectified, and when "they should be accounted worthy of that kingdom" for which they suffered so much. III. THE LESSONS WE SHOULD LEARN FROM THIS CHURCH. 1. That opposition, how formidable soever it may be, is no excuse for our turning back from God. What are our persecutions in comparison of those which they endured? Yet they were "stedfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." Should we then be intimidated? No; we should take up our cross cheerfully; and having counted the cost, should be content to pay it. 2. That whatever proficiency we have made in the Divine life, we should still press forward for higher attainments. The Thessalonians, through mercy, had attained a rare eminence in the Divine life: so should we, forgetting all that is behind, reach forward to all that is before. We should "grow up into Christ in all things." Application:(1) How different from the Thessalonian Church are the generality of those who call themselves Christians! (2) How diligently should the most exalted Christians press forward in their heavenly course! (C. Simeon, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: |
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