1 Thessalonians 3

Notes

Ver. 1. Such was the distressing care of my mind about you, as young converts in perilous circumstances, that, when I found I could by no means quickly return to you myself, I chose rather to struggle alone with difficulties unnumbered at Athens than neglect anything which might contribute to your edification; 2. And therefore cheerfully parted with my dearly beloved brother Timothy, whom God has by his grace called to, richly furnished, and rendered most laborious and faithful in the ministerial office, and sent him to labour among you in exciting, strengthening, and confirming your faith in Christ and the great doctrines of the gospel, and that he might revive in your souls a sweet sense of the glorious advantages and delights which result from your faith in this, and especially the other world; 3. That so none of you might be disheartened or staggered at the afflictions and persecutions which ye or we have to endure for the sake of Christ; especially as ye know that God, in his eternal, infinitely wise, and holy purpose, has appointed us, the servants and followers of Christ, to suffer with and for him, as well as to reign with him. 4. For when I and my fellow-labourers in the work of the gospel were present with you, we warned you that both you and we must expect trouble and persecution in following Christ; and ye know it quickly came upon us before your eyes. 5. And on account of the troublesome circumstances in which we were forced to leave you, I could no longer forbear sending Timothy to inquire concerning your spiritual condition, lest, by the violence of persecution, the subtlety of false teachers, or the deceitfulness of your own hearts, Satan—that malicious, artful, and busy adversary—should prevail to draw some of you back from the truths and ways of the Lord, after all the promising appearances ye had made.—6. But when Timothy returned to us at Corinth, and informed us that, notwithstanding all your trials, temptations, and dangers, ye stand fast in the faith of the gospel, and in your love to Christ and his truths, ordinances, ministers, and people, and retain an affectionate remembrance of us in your daily prayers, and a lively sense of the excellent doctrines which we preached among you, and are often speaking of us with esteem and honour, and earnestly desirous of another visit from us; 7. These good tidings of your steady perseverance in the faith of Christ, and the genuine fruits thereof, entirely removed all our painful anxiety about you, and exceedingly comforted us under all the troubles to which we have been exposed for the gospel's sake. 8. For whatever were our difficulties, dejections, and solicitude concerning you before, we are now alive and comforted in our souls, and go on cheerfully in our work, since we knew that ye continue so steadfast in your adherence to the Lord Jesus, and hold fast the profession of your faith without wavering. 9. For, considering the happy state of your affairs, how can we ever be thankful enough to God, in fresh returns of praise, for his grace bestowed on you, and for giving us hearts to rejoice so exceedingly and sincerely in it before him: 10. In all our stated and occasional devotions praying with uncommon fervour, earnestness, and importunity, that, if it be his will, we may be allowed to visit you again, and be further instrumental in instructing, establishing, and building you up in knowledge, faith, comfort, and holiness, unto complete and eternal salvation? 11. And to promote these valuable purposes, may God himself, whose kingdom ruleth over all, and who is your loving God and Father; and our Lord Jesus Christ, who, as Mediator, is Head over all things to his church—by his overruling providence, grant us a speedy and unobstructed opportunity to visit you. 12. And whether we be permitted to come to you or not, may the Lord Jesus, as your Head of influence and government, enable you, by his Spirit, still more abundantly to increase in Christian love towards one another, as members of the same mystical body of Christ, and children of the same heavenly Father, and even in all good-will towards all men, with all sincerity and fervour, even as our affection increases towards you; 13. To the end that he may thus strengthen, stablish, and confirm your whole souls in the doctrines of the gospel, and in every grace, and may preserve you blameless in every good word and work, and in all holy conversation before our all-seeing God and Father, till ye be presented holy, unblamable, and unreprovable, when Jesus Christ, attended by all his holy angels and glorified saints, shall come to judge the world.

Reflections.—Ministers should be very solicitous to demonstrate their love to their people, and use every mean possible for their establishment and comfort in the truth; and to prevent their being seduced by deceivers, or dispirited by sufferings, especially when they are but newly converted and babes in Christ.—The more thoroughly professors count the cost at their entrance on religion, the better they will withstand Satan's temptations to apostasy. And when church-members persevere and increase in knowledge, faith, love, and good works, it gives great comfort to their faithful ministers; yea, it supports them under their distresses, engages their thankfulness to God, and animates their prayers for and delight in them.—But it is Jesus Christ, and his Father, and his blessed Spirit, who are alone the proper source of believers' gospel privileges, growth and establishment in grace, and happy meetness for and comfortable appearance in the last judgment.