2 Thessalonians 1:4

“so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which ye endure”

“So that”: “Therefore” (NASV). “So much is this the case” (TCNT). “We ourselves glory in you in the churches of God”: “We ourselves speak with pride, before the churches of God” (TCNT). “So that we are always boasting of you among the churches of God” (Wms). “Paul was not above praising one church to other churches, to provoke them to good works. Here he is boasting of Thessalonica in Macedonia to the Corinthians as he did later to the Corinthians about the collection (2 Corinthians 8:1) after having first boasted to the Macedonians about the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 9:1)” (Robertson p. 42). “Paul was not. man to keep quiet about something good” (Fields p. 168).

“Patience”: Cheerful and hopeful endurance. “It does not mean the ability passively to bear anything, it has been described as ‘a masculine constancy under trial.' It describes the spirit that does not only patiently endure the circumstances in which it finds itself; but which masters them and uses them to strengthen its own nerve and sinew. It accepts the blows of life, but in accepting them it transforms them into stepping stones to new achievement” (Barclay p. 244). “And faith in all your persecutions”: “Paul had sent Timothy to Thessalonica to exhort them concerning their faith (1 Thessalonians 3:2). This verse indicates that their faith was doing very well” (Fields p. 168). “Persecutions”: “To chase, to pursue” (Robertson p. 42). “And in the afflictions ye endure”: Are presently enduring. “Afflictions”: Pressure, trouble. “'Persecutions' indicates the hostile attacks of their enemies. ‘Afflictions' points to any or to consequent sufferings and tribulations” (Erdman p. 82). “The use of ‘all' shows that the troubles had been many. while the present tense in the verb ‘endure' makes it plain that their difficulties were not yet over” (Morris p. 197). Be impressed with the strong faith that relatively new converts can manifest even during the most difficult times. These Christians had refused to allow the pressures of life to choke out the word from their hearts (Mark 4:19). “Persecution can take many forms: nicknames, taunts, cold looks, social ostracism, misrepresentations or deliberate lies, abusive or evil speech, ill treatment, job loss, seizing or destruction of property, imprisonment, or death” (Denton Lectures p. 226).

“When suffering comes, shall we be discouraged and give up? How discouragement and even depression sometimes sweep down over our souls! ‘Why, oh why, is this happening to me? I've done nothing wrong!' The Lord does not feel sorry for us, but gives His congratulations!” (Denton p. 226). Matthew 5:11; Acts 5:40.