Bible Commentaries

Three Great Christian Graces

1 Thessalonians 1:3

Notice the characteristics which the Apostle attached to these three graces when he says practically that faith is a work, love is a labour, hope an enduring patience.

I. First of all with regard to work as a characteristic feature of faith. In the work of salvation there are two parties concerned—God and 1 Thessalonians 1:5

The Gospel can come to members of the Church in word only.

I. To the Church at Thessalonica it came in.—

(a) Power—i.e. with a compelling and urging force;

(b) The Holy Ghost—i.e. the hearts were receptive and willing to receive Him; (c) With much assurance—much trust, confidence, and faith.

II. Power Manifested.

(a) They became followers (ver6), Greek mimics or imitators of the Lord.

(b) Ensamples (ver7)—i.e. bearing the impression of the Lord. Ill.—The die used in the Royal Mint for stamping the coins and medals leaves an impression. The Gospel, when received in power, causes all our actions and words to bear the impression of Christ.

(c) Sounded out the word (ver8), or as Greek echoed forth. As they received, so they gave forth.

(d) Turned from idols (ver9) to serve the living God. Christian England is full of idolatry. Here is one of the results when the Gospel comes in power.

References.—I:6.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xi. No648. Expositor (6th Series), vol. iii. p415; ibid. vol. xi. p46. I:6 , 7.—Ibid. (4th Series), vol. ii. p262. I:7.—Ibid. (5th Series), vol. vi. p382. I:8.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xxxv. No2076. A. Maclaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture—Thessalonians, p164. I:9.—Expositor (4th Series), vol. ii. p257. I:9 , 10.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xxx. No1806. Expositor (4th Series), vol. i. p23; ibid. vol. ii. pp258 , 259; ibid. vol. vii. p15; ibid. vol. x. p98. I:10.—Ibid. (5th Series), vol. viii. p146; ibid. vol. ix. p94. I:14 , 15. —Ibid. vol. iv. p369. II:2.—John Watson, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xlvi. p228. II:2-9.—Expositor (4th Series), vol. vii. p14. II:3.—Ibid. (6th Series), vol. xi. p363. II:6.—Ibid. vol. viii. p74. II:6 , 9.—Ibid. (5th Series), vol. x. p196. II:7.—Ibid. (7th Series), vol. vi. p226. II:11 , 12.—H. W. Webb-Peploe, The Record, vol. xxvii. p798. II:12.—A. Maclaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture —Thessalonians, p170. II:13.—W. Sanday, Christian World Pulpit, vol. lii. p193. Expositor (5th Series), vol. viii. p404. II:13 , 14.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xxxiii. No1979. II:15.—Expositor (5th Series), vol. x. p354. II:16.—Ibid. (4th Series), vol. i. p23; ibid. (6th Series), vol. xii. p108; ibid. (7th Series), vol. vi. p486.