3-5. We are bound to thank God. In
1 Thess. 3:9-13,
he states that he prayed ceaselessly for the Thessalonians. Here he
points out how his prayers were answered. The messenger who had
returned to him told him many things concerning the church which filled
him with thankfulness. One of these was that their
faith groweth exceedingly. Though persecuted, their faith did
not fail, but became stronger. And with their faith their
love . . . toward each other also abounded.
4. So that we glory. On account of these things he spoke their
praises in the churches, those of Achaia, where he then was. It is
always a stimulus to report to the churches the good work elsewhere,
Churches of God. A designation given by the apostles to the churches
oftener than any other,
though also spoken of as churches of Christ.
Your patience. There was a patient endurance of trial for
Christ.
5. A manifest token of the righteous judgment. Your sufferings
are a proof of judgment to come. The wicked are not receiving their
deserts; the righteous are suffering. A future judgment, hence, must
come, because God is righteous.
That ye may be counted worthy. Their sufferings not only proved a
judgment to come, but tried them, purified them, and prove them
worthy.
6-10. Seeing it is a righteous thing. Your trials prove a coming
judgment, because it is a righteous thing for God to punish those who
trouble you. They must be requited for their wrongs. [251]
7. And not only that, but it is a righteous thing that he give
to you who are troubled rest. That rest would come when there
would be no persecutors, no stripes, no stonings, no prisons. It shall
be
when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed. At the Lord's coming.
Compare
Matt. 24:30.
8. In flaming fire. The flaming fire denotes brightness, glory,
purity, and also destruction to adversaries. Dazzling brightness is
always associated with his coming. God was revealed at Sinai in flaming
fire
(Exod. 3:2; 19:18).
Them that know not God. Know him not because they refuse to know
him. See
Rom. 1:28.
And obey not. This class refuse to accept and obey the gospel.
Their day of grace will end with the day of the Lord.
9. Who shall be punished. Those who obey not the gospel shall be
punished. The punishment is
eternal destruction. This does not mean annihilation, but an
eternal banishment from the
presence of the Lord. In
Matt. 25:41,
the doom of the wicked is, "Depart from me." The saints are
"ever with the Lord;"
the wicked are driven forever from his presence.
10. When he shall come. These final judgments shall be when he comes
to be glorified in his saints. The saints risen, glorious, rejoicing
in salvation, shall be a glory of the Lord.
Admired in all them that believe. All believers will look upon him
with wonder and admiration.
11, 12. Wherefore we pray always. In view of this glorious
judgment, he prays that they may stand and be counted worthy.
Of this calling. The Christian calling.
Fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness. The idea is
"Perfect in you the love of goodness and the work of faith."
12. That the name of our Lord . . . glorified. Holy lives
glorify the Lord.
