+I. That afflictions are disturbing and distressing to the children
of God.+
+II. That afflictions are appointed by God for His people's good.+
+III. That Christians are forewarned to expect affliction.+
+IV. That Satan uses affliction as a means of temptation.+
+V. That the faithful minister must labour and watch in order to
secure the steadfastness of believers under his
care.+--Herbert, the saintly poet of the seventeenth century,
exhorts the preacher to make the consolations of the Gospel
his main theme:
_"Oh, let him speak of comfort, 'tis
Most wanted in this vale of tears."_
--_P. Mearns._
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF VERSE_ 6.
_News that gladdens._
With what anxiety the father entrusts his son with a commission to
visit an estate in a distant land, and to investigate its affairs,
which are threatened for the time being with impending dangers. He is
in suspense until he receives intelligence of the safe arrival of his
loved messenger, and that there is no reason for apprehension
concerning the estate itself. But when that son returns in person and
assures him that everything is prosperous and hopeful, the father's
satisfaction is complete. "As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is
good news from a far country" (Prov. xv. 25). Such, in a higher
sense, was the experience of Paul when he despatched Timothy to
inquire into the condition of the suffering Thessalonian Church, and
when he brought back the cheering report as to the fidelity and
affection of its persecuted members.
+I. The apostle was gladdened with good tidings of faith
maintained.+--"Timothy came from you to us, and brought us good
tidings of your faith."
1. _Their faith in the great truths of the Gospel was
maintained._--The revelation of Divine truth is the basis of faith.
This truth as it affected their salvation had been clearly,
earnestly, and successfully declared to them by the apostle and his
companions. They comprehended its meaning, felt its force, embraced
it in their understanding and heart, and were transformed by its
agency. Amid the shock of persecution, and the insidious whisperings
of false teachers, they held fast to "the form of sound words" they
had joyfully received.
2. _Their faith as a principle of active spiritual life was
maintained._--True faith is not simply a belief, but a life; not
merely an assent of the mind to a grand truth or a group of
correlated truths, but the impartation to the soul of a spiritual
force which starts it on a new career. It forms a new era in the
experience and history of the soul. It unites us to the living God,
and expands to our view, however dimly, the vast outline of the life
of God as the pattern of our own. Their faith, as the realisation of
a life springing from God and leading to God, was in sound and
vigorous operation.
+II. The apostle was gladdened with good tidings of love
manifested.+--"Brought us good tidings of your charity." Love is the
legitimate fruit of a genuine faith, both in its inward experience
and outward manifestation. Faith and love are indissolubly combined.
"And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of
His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment"
(1 John iii. 23). The first exercise of love is towards God; and
then, in ever widening and intensified outflow, towards all whom God
loves. Such love is _impartial_ and _universal_--manifested towards
all in whom we discern the image of God, whatever their country,
colour, rank, sect, or condition. Where faith and love reign there is
a living, healthy, and prosperous Church.
+III. The apostle was gladdened with good tidings of continued
personal regard.+--1. _The apostle was fondly remembered._ "And that
ye have good remembrance of us always." There are some scenes of
nature, which, beheld but for a moment, never fade from the memory;
there are some faces we can never forget; and there are some
individuals, the influence of whose character remains with us as a
charm and inspiration through life. The Thessalonians had good reason
to remember Paul. He was the first to proclaim to them the good news
of salvation; and how great was their privilege to hear the Gospel
from the lips of such a preacher! He counselled them in their
difficulties and sympathised with them in their sufferings. The
minister who first led us to the cross will ever have the
pre-eminence in our affection and the choicest spot in our memory. A
high appreciation of the Christian minister is one of the evidences
of possessing genuine faith and love.
2. _They were as solicitous as the apostle for a renewal of Christian
fellowship._--"Desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you."
There is no bond at once so tender and so strong as that existing
between the preacher and his converts. He must needs love the souls
he has been instrumental in saving and who are his glory and his joy.
The intercourse between such is of the purest and highest kind. Never
was there a more loving heart than that of the apostle Paul. The
Thessalonians warmly reciprocated that love and longed to renew the
fellowship by which they had so richly profited.
+Lessons.+--1. _That Church has the best reputation where faith is
maintained, and love manifested._ 2. _The Christian minister is
cheered by the affection and stability of his converts._
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 7-10.
_Steadfastness of Believers a Source of True Ministerial Satisfaction._
The scholar finds his happiness in intellectual exercises and
accumulating stores of knowledge; the politician in the excitement of
debate and the triumph of great principles; the scientist in testing
and harmonising the laws of nature; the merchant in his gains; and
the minister of God's Word in the increase of converts to the truth,
and in their consistency, fidelity, and perseverance in the practice
of godliness. The truly Christian heart rejoices in the success of
the Gospel in any part of the world, but more particularly in the
locality where personal labour has been expended. The effect upon
Paul of the good tidings from Timothy, concerning the steadfastness
of the believers in Thessalonica, is described in these verses.
Observe:--
+I. Their steadfastness was a source of genuine comfort.+--1. _The
apostle was comforted in the midst of intense personal suffering._
"Therefore, brethren, we were comforted in all our affliction and
distress" (ver. 7). Paul was in Corinth when he received Timothy's
report. In that city the customary opposition of the Jews rose to an
unwonted pitch of malignity, and even blasphemy, so much so that the
apostle resolved to abandon them to their fate--"He shook his
raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am
clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles" (Acts xviii. 6).
So great was his anguish on behalf of his own countrymen, and so
manifold his cares, privations, and perils, that the Lord thought it
needful to encourage him with a vision, saying, "Be not afraid: I am
with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee" (_Ibid._, 9,
10). The bitterness of his afflictions at this time was sweetened by
hearing of the constancy of his Thessalonian converts. It revived,
refreshed, and strengthened him. The faithlessness and disobedience
of the people are a grief to the true minister now; but at last the
horror will be theirs.
2. _The apostle was comforted concerning their faith._--"We were
comforted over you, by your faith" (ver. 7). Timothy had been
commissioned to inquire into the state of their faith, and his report
was eminently satisfactory. He spoke not only of their faith as the
primary root of the Christian life, the basis of all stability and
fruitfulness, but of its active outgoings in love to God and in
affectionate remembrance of the apostle. The Church is in danger and
a cause of deep anxiety when the faith wavers.
+II. Their steadfastness intensified the pleasure of living.+--"For
now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord" (ver. 8). The apostle was
perhaps more than usually despondent when Timothy arrived. The good
news thrilled his soul with new life. _For now,_ whatever else
befall--_now,_ in the face of Jewish fury and Gentile scorn--_now,_
amid infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, distresses,
and deaths oft--_now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord._ The
relation of the minister to his people is so close and vital that
they have in their power to make his life happy or supremely
miserable. There is a method of destroying life without its becoming
utterly extinct. Ezekiel speaks of the false prophets whose lies made
the hearts of the righteous sad; and we read of Elijah, under the
juniper tree, sighing for death because of the idolatry and
wickedness of Judah. To lessen the cheerful flow of life, and depress
the spirits of the man of God, is a species of murder; to starve him
into submission by studied neglect and privation is diabolical. The
ministerial life and energy of even an apostle depended on the
sympathy, faith, and steadfastness of the brethren (3 John 3, 4).
+III. Their steadfastness was productive of grateful joy.+--1. _This
joy was copious and sincere._--"For the joy wherewith we joy before
our God" (ver. 9). The transitions of the emotions are rapid. From
the midst of the apostle's grief a fountain of joy breaks forth. This
joy filled his soul even in the secret presence of God. It was a
pure, sincere, undissembled, overflowing joy, such as God could
approve.
2. _This joy arose from a disinterested love._--"For your sakes"
(ver. 9). True love gives us an interest in the safety and happiness
of others. He who possesses this never lacks joy; it flows not on his
own behalf, it does on behalf of others. Bernard has said: "Of all
the motions and affections of the soul, love is the only one we may
reciprocate with God; to re-love Him is our happiness; woe if we
answer Him not in some measure of re-loving affection."
3. _This joy was expressed in fervent thanksgiving._--"What thanks
can we render to God again for you?" (ver. 9). His gratitude was so
great that he knew not how to give it adequate expression. The
grateful heart prizes blessings that may seem to others of small
value. He rendered thanks to God, the Author and Preserver of their
faith. The heartiest thanksgiving seems cold and utterly insufficient
when compared with the mercies of God.
+IV. Their steadfastness excited an earnest longing for the
opportunity of imparting additional good.+--1. _The apostle
assiduously prayed for the opportunity of a personal interview._
"Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face" (ver.
10). The longer the absence, the more eagerly he desired to see them.
The good tidings of their constancy increased the desire. A love like
his could be satisfied only with personal spiritual intercourse. It
was not enough simply to write. Voice and manner have a pre-eminent
charm in the interchange of mind with mind. Reading, praying, and all
other endeavours will be unavailing if we despise prophesying--the
oral declaration of the truth.
2. _The apostle sought this interview to supply what was deficient in
their faith._--"And might perfect that which was lacking in your
faith" (ver. 10). None so perfect in faith as not to be susceptible
of improvement. Faith is based on knowledge; and as knowledge,
especially in the things of God, is capable of indefinite extension,
so faith may be continually increased--broadening and deepening its
foundation and consolidating its structure. The less distinctly the
great subjects of faith are understood, the more defective is faith;
the more explicit, the more perfect. They most vaunt of faith who
have least experience in its practice. "Empty vessels sound the
loudest." We have all need to cry, _"Lord, increase our faith."_
+Lessons.+--1. _The true minister cannot be indifferent to the
spiritual state of his people._ 2. _The fidelity and perseverance of
believers is an inspiration and unspeakable joy to the anxious
worker._ 3. _Faith and practice powerfully react upon each other._
_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._