+CHAPTER I.+
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES._
Ver. 3. +We are bound to thank God.+--We owe a debt of gratitude to
God. It is not so much what is seemly that comes into prominence
here, as what is due. +Even as it is meet.+--The word for "meet"
directs attention to the value of the increase of the faith of the
Thessalonians. As though the apostle said, "It is something worth
giving thanks for." +Your faith groweth exceedingly.+--The word for
"groweth exceedingly" does not occur again in the New Testament. It
means "to increase beyond measure." The faith of the Thessalonians
was like "a fruitful bough by a fountain whose branches run over the
wall," though "the archers have solely grieved it, and shot at it and
persecuted it" (Gen. xlix. 22, 23). +The charity of every one of you
toward each other aboundeth.+--This is high praise indeed--a plethora
of love. Like a brimming fountain kept always full, so the love of
these early Christians overflowed, Cf. on 1 Thess. iv. 9.
Ver. 4. +We ourselves glory in you.+--St. Paul had to rebuke the
Corinthians for the factious spirit which set off the excellencies of
one teacher against those of another. Here he plays off one Church
against another, as a schoolmaster might seek to stir up his pupils
by mentioning the names of those who have taken scholarships. But St.
Paul well knew that this needed care (see Col. iii. 21; R.V. or
Greek).
Ver. 5. +Which is a manifest token.+--"An _indication._" The
steadfast and resolute continuance in the profession and adornment of
the Christian faith, in face of opposition, might suggest to
persecutors, as to Gamaliel, the possibility of the Divine origin of
the faith, to oppose which was to fight against God (Acts v. 39).
Ver. 6. +Seeing it is a righteous thing.+--"There is no
unrighteousness in Him" (John vii. 18). However stern the
retribution, none who suffers will ever be able to impugn the
justice. +To recompense tribulation to them that trouble you.+--The
R.V. comes nearer to the original, "affliction to them that afflict
you." This _lex talionis_ is a sword that is dangerous to any hand
but His who said, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay" (Rom. xii. 19).
Ver 7. +And to you who are troubled rest with us.+--The idea
suggested by the words is that of poor, hunted fugitives with nerves
tensely strung and with a wild look of fear in the eyes. As the
guardians of the infant Jesus were assured of safety by the death of
him who sought the child's life, so the strain of fear shall be
relaxed in the case of the persecuted Thessalonians.
Ver. 8. +In flaming fire.+--Lit. "in a fire of flame." "Fire is a
symbol of Divine anger and majesty in Scripture; and flame is fire in
motion, leaping and blazing out" (_Findlay_). +Taking vengeance on
them that know not God.+--St. Paul does not consider ignorance as a
valid excuse where knowledge might be had, any more than a man would
be looked on as innocent who should plead that, being a foreigner, he
did not know that the law of any country which he visits forbids
murder. "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world,
and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were
evil" (John iii. 19).
Ver. 9. +Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction.+--R.V.
"who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction." It has been
repeatedly shown that only arbitrariness can limit the meaning of
this terrible phrase. Our comfort must be that He with whom "it is a
righteous thing to recompense affliction" (ver. 6) will always be
self-consistent. +From the presence of the Lord.+ The fulness of joy
is there, and they who, like Cain, go out from it carry the ache of
an irreparable loss with them. The Hebraism in the phrase is brought
out by the R.V. "from the face of the Lord."
Ver. 10. +To be glorified in His saints.+--Two meanings at least suit
this phrase: (1) It may be the apostle thought of the great
ascription of praise rising from the vast assembly of saints, or
(2) it may be he is thinking of the saints as the trophies of the
Redeemer's love and power--the work that speaks the Master's praise.
+And to be admired.+--R.V. "marvelled at." The same work describes
the fawning sycophancy of men of the Balaam spirit, or it might
describe the open-eyed and speechless wonder of an African chief in a
State function.
Ver. 11. +And fulfil all the good pleasure.+--R.V. "every desire of
goodness." "As much as to say, May God mightily accomplish in you all
that goodness would desire and that faith can effect" (_Findlay_).
Ver. 12. +That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in
you.+--A little mirror may not increase the sum-total of sunlight,
but it may cause some otherwise unobservant eye to note its
brightness. So, Christ's infinite and eternal glory cannot be
augmented but only shared by Christians (John xvii. 22).
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 1, 2.
_Phases of Apostolic Greeting._
Under this heading we have already treated homiletically the
apostle's formula of salutation, which is the same here as the
beginning of the first epistle.
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 3, 4.
_Congratulatory Features of a Prosperous Church._
We have here a suggestive example of the apostolic method of dealing
with a Church in which the incipient elements of error were beginning
to operate. He applauds first what is really good, and then
faithfully, almost fiercely, warns of the threatening evil. He who
would effectually rebuke must first learn how to tenderly sympathise.
These verses indicated what are the congratulatory features of a
prosperous Church.
+I. There is a vital and progressive faith.+--"Your faith groweth
exceedingly" (ver. 3). Faith feeds on truth; and all truth leads to
and unites with God, its source. A living faith can only be sustained
by a living truth; and where there is life there will be growth. We
are ruled by our beliefs; if they are wrong, our track is wrong, our
life a mistake, our energies wasted. The faith of the Thessalonians
was so real, so vivid, so vitalising, so deeply rooted in the
quickening soil of Gospel truth, that it flourished with tropical
luxuriance. The doom of a Church is sealed when its faith is dead and
its creed inert. It is like a fossil in the grasp of a fossil--a
museum of dry, bony, musty remains.
+II. There is a reciprocal and expansive charity.+--"And the charity
of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth" (ver. 3). Love
is the fruit of the Christian spirit, and the proof of its
genuineness. It should be manifested to every believer in Christ. The
love of a common Saviour and the sharing in a common suffering tend
to intensify mutual esteem and affection. The prayer of the apostle
on behalf of the Thessalonians was fulfilled (1 Thess. iii. 12)--an
encouragement to pray on behalf of others. Where charity abounds,
there is mutual forbearance with one another's faults and frailties,
the absence of suspicion and jealousy, no tendency to pass harsh and
rapid judgments on the conduct of others, a disposition to think the
best of each other, to share each other's trials, and bear each
other's burdens.
+III. There is a patient fidelity under suffering.+--"Your patience
and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure"
(ver. 4). These trials began with the first planting of the Gospel in
Thessalonica and seemed to have continued without cessation. The Jews
were the principal agents and instigators stirring up the populace
against the Christians and rousing the suspicions of the magistrates
who were specially jealous of religious innovations (Acts xvii. 5-8).
Their faith made them patient and uncomplaining under the pressure of
affliction; they believed the Gospel was still the power of God unto
salvation, though their profession of it brought on them sorrow and
suffering. The former warnings and teachings of the apostle were not
in vain; their faith triumphed over persecution. Suffering is the
opportunity for patience and the test of faith. Troubles come not
alone, but are like chain-shot, or like the billows of the sea,
linked one to another, each succeeding blow being more destructive
than the other. Patience without faith is simply dull, stupid,
stoical endurance. It is faith that renders the soul invincible and
triumphant.
+IV. There is ample ground for apostolic gratitude and
commendation.+--"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren,
as it is meet; . . . so that we ourselves glory in you in the
Churches of God" (vers. 3, 4). Even the enemies of the Church are
sometimes constrained to admire and applaud the spirit of harmony,
the affection and enterprise which characterise its members. It is
also encouraging to have the approbation and good word of the
ministers of God, especially of those who have been instrumental in
converting men to the truth; but no Church could command the respect
of the good if it did not first secure the smile and blessing of God.
The apostle thanks God as the great Giver of all the grace which he
rejoices to see has done so much for the Thessalonians. God had
wrought this work of faith and love and patience in their hearts, and
He would make it prosper and increase. He had put this fire in them
and would make it burn; He had laid this leaven in the dough or meal
of their hearts, and He would make it heave and work till the whole
was leavened. The apostle felt it at once his duty and joy to thank
God on their behalf and to boast of their attainments to others. "We
are bound to thank God always for you, as it is meet; . . . we
ourselves glory in you in the Churches of God." It is a noble
Christ-like spirit to sympathise with the sufferings and rejoice in
the prosperities of the Church. A cheery word, a simple, hearty
prayer, an act of sympathy and kindness, will do much to animate and
encourage the struggling people of God. One lively Church is the
means of rousing the zeal and emulation of others.
+Lessons.+--1. _Vigorous Church-life is the result of an intelligent
and active faith in the truth._ 2. _Suffering is no sign of the
Divine displeasure, but often a means of spiritual prosperity._
3. _Those who rejoice in the success of the Church are most likely to
share in the blessings of that success._
_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._