2 Thessalonians 1:3

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; WE ARE BOUND, [ ofeilomen (G3784)] - 'We owe it as a debt' (2 Thessalonians 2:13). Their prayer having been heard (1 Thessalonians 3:12), it is a bounden return that they should thank God for it. Paul and his fellow-missionaries practice what they preach (1 Thessalonians 5:18). In 1 Th...

3_To give thanks_. He begins with commendation, that he may have occasion to pass on to exhortation, for in this way we have more success among those who have already entered upon the course, when without passing over in silence their former progress, we remind them how far distant they are as yet from the goal, and stir them up to make progress. As, however, he had in the former Epistle commended their faith and love, he now declares the increase of both. And, unquestionably, this course ought to be pursued by all the pious — to examine themselves daily, and see how far they have advanced. This, therefore, is the true commendation of believers — their _growing _daily in _faith _and _love_. When he says _always_, he means that he is constantly supplied with new occasion. He had previously given thanks to God on their account. He says that he has now occasion to do so again, on the ground...

1-4 Where there is the truth of grace, there will be an increase of it. The path of the just is as the shining light, which shines more and more unto the perfect day. And where there is the increase of grace, God must have all the glory. Where faith grows, love will abound, for faith works by love. It shows faith and patience, such as may be proposed as a pattern for others, when trials from God, and persecutions from men, quicken the exercise of those graces; for the patience and faith of which the apostle gloried, bore them up, and enabled them to endure all their tribulations....

Verse 2 Thessalonians 1:3. _YOUR FAITH GROWETH EXCEEDINGLY_] The word υπεραυξανει signifies _to grow luxuriantly_, as a good and healthy tree planted in a good soil; and if a _fruit tree_, bearing an abundance of fruit to compensate the labour of the husbandman. Faith is one of the _seeds_ of the kingdom; this the apostle had _sowed_ and _watered_, and God gave an abundant increase. Their faith was _multiplied_, and their love _abounded_; and this was not the case with some distinguished characters only, it was the case with _every one of_ _them_....

WE ARE BOUND TO THANK GOD ALWAYS FOR YOU; - See the notes on 1 Thessalonians 1:2. “As it is meet.” Since it is fit or proper. “Because that your faith groweth exceedingly.” It would seem probable from this that Paul had heard from them since his First Epistle was written. He had doubtless received intelligence of the error which prevailed among them respecting his views of the coming of the Lord Jesus, and of the progress which the truth was making, at the same time. “And the charity of every one of you all toward each other.” Your mutual love....

EXPOSITION CONTENTS.—Paul, after the address and salutation, commences this Epistle by rendering thanks to God for the welcome intelligence he had received of the increase of the faith and love of his Thessalonian converts, so that he was enabled to boast of them throughout all the Churches of Achaia, on account of their steadfastness in the endurance of continued persecution. Their present suffering was an evidence of a future state of retribution, when the justice of God would be vindicated, and affliction would be rendered to their persecutors and rest to them the persecuted, on that great day when the Lord Jesus would appear in glory for the destruction of his enemies and the glorification of his people. The apostle expresses his constant prayer for the Thessalonians that God would enable them to walkworthy of their high vocation, so as to be made partakers of that_ _glory which wou...

WE ARE BOUND TO THANK GOD,.... Since all blessings, temporal and spiritual, come from him: and that always: seeing he is ever giving out fresh favours, or continuing former ones; and because those, especially which are of a spiritual nature, always abide, such as faith and love; which the apostle particularly takes notice of, the members of this Church had, and were increasing in them: for it was not for himself, but for them he gives thanks, FOR YOU, BRETHREN: who were so, not in a natural or civil relation, but in a spiritual one, being the children of God, and brethren of Christ; and to do this for them, he looked upon himself with others under an obligation: AS IT IS MEET; just, proper, and fitting; it not only becomes the persons who have received mercies from God to be thankful for them; but it is very right for others to join with them in it, and especially the ministers of the...

2 Thessalonians 1:1. _Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ._ All nations have their special forms of salutation, and this is the Christian's greeting to his fellow-Christians, «Grace unto you, and peace.» How much there is in this prayer! «grace» the free favor of God, the active energy of the divine power; and «peace» reconciliation to God, peace of conscience, peace with all men. My brethren, what better things could I desire for you, and what better things could you wish for your best beloved friends than these, «Grace unto you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ?» 2 Thessalonians 1:3

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS I. THE REVELATION OF THE LORD JESUS FROM HEAVEN CHAPTER 1 _ 1. Salutation and thanksgiving (2 Thessalonians 1:1)_ 2. The revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven (2 Thessalonians 1:5) 3. The prayer (2 Thessalonians 1:11) 2 Thessalonians 1:1 The opening words of salutation are the same as in the first Epistle. Once more he gives thanks to God for them, because their faith increased exceedingly and love abounded, the result of an increasing faith. On account of this progress and spiritual condition he wrote, “

Introductory. Thanksgiving for the past and prayer for the future. Paul thanks God for the growing love of the Thessalonian Christians and their loyalty under persecution, and prays that they may be counted worthy of their high calling at the day of the Lord, when they will receive rest and their opponents eternal destruction. 2 THESSALONIANS 1:3. For the emphasis on faith and love, see 1 Thessalonians 1:3 *. 2 Thessalonians 1:4. persecutions: _ cf._ 1 Thessalonians 2:14....