Bible Commentaries

1 Thessalonians 3:2. Our fellow-labourer— It appears, from Acts 17:14 that Timothy had been in those parts before, as St. Paul's fellow-labourer; and as, doubtless, he was well known to the Thessalonians, his coming, on this occasion, would be the more agreeable to them.

1 Thessalonians 3:3. For yourselves know— Here seems to be a particular allusion to Acts 9:15-16; Acts 20:23. What Apostles, prophets, and even common Christians were to expect in the world, see Matthew 10:34-36. Acts 17:5. Romans 8:17. Ephesians 3:13. &c. &c.

1 Thessalonians 3:6. But now when Timotheus came, &c.— This should rather be read, But now that Timothy is come,—and hath brought,— therefore (1 Thessalonians 3:7.) we are comforted.

1 Thessalonians 3:8. For now we live, if, &c.— "For now I live, indeed; I relish and enjoy life, seeing you continue steadfast in the profession, faith, and practice of the Christian religion, in which, through the favour of God,I was employed in initiating you." Here is a pattern for all the pastors of the Christian church. It would have deprived this great Apostle of much of the satisfaction and comfort of his life, to haveheard that his converts in general, at Thessalonica or elsewhere, did not persevere; but it was happiness, it was comfort, it was life worth enjoying, to hear of their steadiness and perseverance.

1 Thessalonians 3:11. Direct our way unto you.— This prayer of St. Paul was heard, and his request granted; for he had an opportunity to go over Macedonia again once or twice, and to give them much exhortation, Acts 20:1-3. He then most probably perfected what was still wanting in their faith, and rectified or confirmed them as to their experience and practice.

1 Thessalonians 3:13. The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.— How often and how skilfully does St. Paul mention the Lord Jesus Christ, and his coming to judgment, to support and animate them both to do and to suffer, according to the good and holy and acceptable will of God! See Daniel 7:10. When our Lord Jesus Christ comes thus attended, he will present all his sincere and faithful followers to his Father, unblameable in holiness. Who would not desire to be thus presented to God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, attended by all his saints, and all the holy angels! See 2 Corinthians 11:2. Ephesians 5:27. 2 Peter 3:14.

Inferences.—What an amiable example to gospel-ministers has the great Apostle held forth, in his warm affection to, and solicitous concern for, the church! They, like him, ought to demonstrate their love to, and use all means for, the establishment and comfort of the souls that are under their guidance and care; and for taking off discouragements which might arise from the hardships for the sake of the gospel, which God, in his wise providence, may have allotted to them, and given them reason to expect. And, ah! what a touching and painful grief of heart is it, to tender and faithful pastors, to be afraid, lest, through the subtlety and violence of Satan and his emissaries, professors, of whom they have hoped well, should miscarry, and all the labour which had been spent upon them should come to nothing! But O! the joy which springs up in their souls, and adds a relish to life itself, when they find that their dearly beloved charge continue steadfast in the faith, and that their faith works by love to Christ and one another, and to his ministering servants, especially to such of them as have been instruments of their conversion; and that it spreads with a benevolent temper towards all mankind! How does their knowledge of this engage their thankfulness to God, and animate them to go on with cheerfulness and joy in all their services and sufferings; and to contribute what in them lies for the further establishment of their flocks in faith and love, and for perfecting all which concerns them, that they may be unblameable in holiness in the sight of God, until, and in, the day of Christ! For this they have a longing desire to see them, and be further helpful to them; for this they labour, whether present or absent, looking up to God to direct their way; and for this they continually pray to the God of all grace, as their God and Father in Christ, and to the Lord Jesus, as their great Head and Mediator, who will certainly appear a second time, to the salvation of all his faithful saints. And may it be our chief concern, and happy lot, to be found among those who will be gathered together to glorify him at the last day!

REFLECTIONS.—1st. The solicitude which the Apostle felt toward his Thessalonians, engaged him to send Timothy to them, and to be left alone at Athens, however useful or comfortable such a friend, at that time, might be to him. Wherefore, when we could no longer forbear, so anxious was I to hear of your affairs, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; and sent Timotheus our brother and minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ; and this in order also to establish you in the truth, to build you up in the glorious doctrines of the gospel of Jesus, and to comfort you concerning your faith, exhorting you to abide unshaken in your profession, and suggesting the most encouraging motives thereto; that no man should be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. God has been pleased, for his own glory and the good of his church, in his permissive Providence, to suffer his servant to be thus persecuted; for verily when we were with you we concealed nothing from you, but told you plainly before the persecutions came, that we should suffer tribulation, even as it came to pass, and ye know. For this cause, when I could no longer forbear reflecting upon your very critical and trying circumstances, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter should have tempted you to turn back from the profession of Christ, and our labour be in vain, notwithstanding all the promising appearances which emboldened my confident hope in your fidelity. Note; (1.) We must count the cost before we inlist under Christ's banner. (2.) The devil usually seeks to discourage new converts by the violent opposition which he raises against them. (3.) Faithful ministers labour to confirm the faith, and to comfort the hearts of those who are suffering for righteousness' sake.

2nd, The Apostle:

1. Expresses the vast satisfaction which he felt at Timothy's report: but now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your unshaken faith in Christ, and fervent charity towards each other; and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you; therefore, brethren, we were comforted, and all my anxious fears gave place to holy joy in and over you, in all our affliction and distress, which we were here suffering when Timotheus arrived, but which were now made light and easy, by the knowledge of your faith in Jesus, and fidelity to his cause; for now we live and are happy in the midst of all our persecutions and dangers, if, or seeing ye stand fast in the Lord, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel. Note; Nothing is such an encouragement to suffer for Christ and his gospel, as seeing the happy effects of our labours upon those among whom we minister.

2. The glad news filled him with thankfulness to God, and opened his heart and lips in prayer. For what thanks can we render to God again for you, or how sufficiently express our gratitude, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God, night and day praying exceedingly, with unusual fervour and vehemence, that, if the Lord so pleased, we might see your face again, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith, helping you to farther and clearer discoveries of the gospel, and leading you to fuller and more assured confidence in the Lord? Note; (1.) The strongest believers need still to have their faith increased. (2.) The ministry of the word is the great means which God usually blesses for that happy purpose.

3. He tells them what was a constant subject of his prayers for them. Now God himself and our Father, who, as God, hath all power to supply every want of his people, and, as our reconciled God and Father, is, in the fulness of his love and grace, disposed most tenderly towards us; and our Lord Jesus Christ, who is equally with the Father the object of our prayers, and through whose mediation we receive an answer of peace, direct our way unto you, and in his providence enable us to accomplish the purposes that we have formed. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one towards another, and towards all men, even as we do towards you, advancing to higher attainments in this godlike temper; to the end that he may stablish your hearts in faith and love, unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, approving yourselves to him in all simplicity and godly sincerity, that you may be acknowledged by him at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to judgment, with all his saints, who in that day shall stand before his throne, and share his triumphs. Note; (1.) An increase in love is the best symptom of the flourishing state of the Christian's soul. (2.) All God's people desire to be found unblameable in holiness before him, and so to walk as to please him well in all things. (3.) It is God alone by his grace who can make us such as he would have us to be; therefore to him must we, without ceasing, direct our prayer. (4.) The Lord Jesus shall quickly come in glory with all his saints. Happy the soul that shall then have boldness in his presence.