The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Thessalonians — Section 18

out working. Its working may not always express itstlf in outward 11etion; it will rlo so when possible; but it will be always working in the inner sphere of the heart, producing self-purification, self-consecration, spiritual stlf-sacrifice. E11eh step towards holiness is a work of faith, hi,lden, it may be, from the eyes of men, but seen by him who searcheth the heart. The Thessalonians had shown their faith by their works. (2) Love, the greatest of the three, manifests itself in labour. The word is a strong one; " toil," perhaps, is a better rendering. Toil is not pinful when it ia prompted by love. True Christian love must lead the believer to toil for the gospel's sake, for the souls and bodies of those whom Jesus love,l. The abundance of the Uhristian's labours is the measure of his love. "I laboured more abundantly than they a.II" (says St. Paul, 1 Cor. xv. 10): "yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (3) Hope. The object of the Christian's hope is the Saviour-our" Lord Jesus Christ, which is our Hope." We hope for him-for his gracious presence revealed in fuller measure now, for the blissful vision of his glorious beauty hereafter. That hope is patient. The husbancl- ma.n wa.iteth for the precious fruit of the earth; the Christian wa.it.:I patiently for Christ. It works patience in the soul. He can endure the troubles of life who is blessed with the lively hope of the iuheritance reserved in heaven. The Thessalonians showed in their lives the presence of this lively hope. All this the apostle remembered without ceasing before God in his prayers and meditations. 3. Hia confidence in God', election. Himself "a vessel of election'' (Acts ix. 15), he felt sure that the aame gracious choice had rested on the Thessalonian Christians. God had " chosen them to salvation," be tells them in the Second Epistle. St. Paul loves to dwell on the great truth of God's election. 4. The evidence of that election. St. Paul finds it: (1) In the lives of the Thessalonians. Archbishop Leighton beautifully says, "U men can read the characters of God's image in their own souls, these are the counterpart of tho golden characters of his love in which their names are written in the book of life. He that loves God may be sure that he was first loved of God ; and he that chooses God for his delight and portion may conclude confidently that God bath chosen him to be one of those that shall enjoy him and be happy in him for ever; for that our loft of him is hut the return and repercussion of the beams of bis love shining upon us.• The 'l'bessalonia.ns received the Word; they showed the martyr epiri t; they were content to suffer as Christiane for the gospel's sake. They had joy amid tears-that holy joy which the presence of the blessed Spirit can give even in the midst of afflictions.. They were learning in their own experience the meaning of that seeming contradiction, "Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." They imitated the holy life of St. Panl, the holiest lire of the Lord Jesus Christ. By this patient continuance in well-doing they were making their calling and election sure. (2) In the me:rgy and success of his 010n preaching among them. He had brought them the gospel, the glad tidings of great joy. He had delivered his message with power, with the strength of deep conviction. The Holy Ghost was with him, teaching him what to speak, filling him with a Divine fervour and enthusiasm. His words were more than mere sounds; they were a message full of intense meaning-a message from God. The Thessalonians had felt the power of his preaching; they were his witnesses. This energy was not his own; it came from God; it proved that God was with him ; it was a sure evidence that God was blessing the apostle's work ; it was given for the sake of the Thessa.lonians; it surely meant that God had chosen them to be his own. Learn: 1. To take delight in the spiritual progress, in the faith, hope, love of our fellow-Christians. 2. 'l'o thank God for it. 3. To refer all that seems good in us to God's electing grace. 4. To look for the evidence of that election in holiness of life.-B. 0. C. Vers. 7-10.-The happy results of the conversion of the Thessalonians. I. THEY BECAME AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS. I. True piety tends to propagate itself. The Thessa- loniaus had not long embraced Christianity. But they had learned much; they had given their hearts to God. The Macedonian Churches gave St. Paul, from the first; deep and unmingled satisfaction. Thessalonica was the metropolis of Macedonia, the seat of government, a centre of trade. It became a centre of spiritual life. All believers throughout Macedonia and Achaia looked to the Thessalonian&. St. Paul was now at Corinth, the chief city of Achaia. The Lord had much people in that city; but there were grave evils at Corinth, many causes for anxiety and distress. St. Paul must  14 THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE TliESSALONIANS. [oH. L 1-10.