2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brothers, as it is meet, because that your faith grows exceedingly… Timothy had brought the apostle tidings of their faith, their love, their sufferings, and their patience. I. THE GROUNDS OF HIS THANKSGIVING. "Because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward each other aboundeth." 1. The marked growth of their faith. At his last writing to them he had hinted at deficiencies in their faith (1 Thessalonians 3:10), but he had now learned that it had grown exceedingly. (1) Growth is a sign of a living faith. (2) It is right to pray for the increase of faith (Luke 17:5). (3) Faith grows (a) in its strength (b) and in its range. The Thessalonians had been able to receive new truths, and to bear the shock of persecution with calmness. Their faith worked by love (Galatians 5:6), and the trial of their faith worked patience (James 1:3). 2. The marked growth of their love to one another. He had prayed for an increase of love among them, and he was thankful that his prayer had been heard. (1) Their love had grown in fervour. (a) Their persecutions had endeared them the more to each other. (b) They "looked not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others" (Philippians 2:4). They "bore one another's burdens" (Galatians 6:2). They were "kindly affectioned to one another with brotherly love" (Romans 12:10). (2) Their love had grown in its range. They had an individualizing solicitude in each other's welfare, no saint being outside the pale of their kindly regards. II. THE OBLIGATION AND APPROPRIATENESS OF HIS THANKSGIVING. "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet." 1. The apostle regards it as a positive debt which it would be injustice not to discharge, for he feels that God is the true Author of all the blessings they had received. 2. He regards it as demanded by the very proprieties of the case. "As it is meet" - that this recognition should be made. - T.C. Parallel Verses KJV: We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; |
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