The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Thessalonians — Section 59

is the promleo of the Old TestBment, waxed cold under the persecution■ to wbioh affiiction ie oertninly the promise of the t.hey were exposed; and along with their New. We must he conformed to Christ in faith e.nd love was the affection which they bis sufferings. "In the world," &Bys our bore to the apostle, and their earnest desire Lord, "ye shBII hBve tribnlBtion" (John to see him. And that ye have oonBte.nt xvi. 33). When our Lord cBlled PBul to remembranoe of us always, desiring greatly his apostleship, he showed him how to see us, as we also t.o see yon. The affec- great things he must suffer for his Ne.ma's tion between the Tbesse.lonie.na and the sake (Acts ix. 16). All the npostle~ apostle was mntue.l. suffered from persecution, Bod concerning Ver. 7.-Therefore, brethren, we were oom- Christians in general Paul asserts that it is forted over yon-with reference to yon-in only through tribnle.tion that they ce.n e.ll our affliction and distress. Some refer enter into the kingdom of God (Acts xiv. "affliction" to outwe.rd troubles, and "dis- 22; see Rev. vii. 14). tress" to internal evils-referring- the one Ver. 4.- For j assigning the reason why to the persecutions arising from his Corin- they should not be moved by these afflic- thian opponents, e.nd the other to his bodily tions. Verily, when we were with yon, we told infirmity (Koch). Such e. distinction is, yon before that we ; here also Christians in however, precarious. The words do not geneml. Should suffer. Not a simple future, refer to the apostle's anxiety on account of but denoting that it was thus appointed in the Thessalonians, for that was removed by the oounsels of God-that their tribulation the coming of Timothy. Clearly some ex. was the result of the Divine purpose. teme.1 trouble is d0noted. Paul, when he Tribulation (affliction) ; even e.s it oe.me to pree.ched the gospel at Corinth, e.nd before pass, e.nd ye know; that is, from your own he obtained the protection of Gallio, wu experience. The affliction, then, was not exposed to much persecution e.nd danger. some strange thing which he.d befallen The Jews had expelled him from their them. synagogue (Acts xviii 6), and attempts he.d Ver. 5,-For this oe.use, when I oould no been me.de e.gainst him which at length longer forbear j no longerrepress my anxiety, broke out into an insunection against him, and endure my want of information con- when he we.s dragged before the Roman cerning you. I sent to know your faith ; to tribunal (Acts x:vi.ii. 12). His condition e.t receive information concerning yourspiritual Corinth when he wrote this EpiBtle wa.s condition. Lest by some means the tempter; de.rk e.nd gloomy. By your faith ; by the e. designation of Se.tan, used also by Matthew steadfastness of your faith. The good news (iv. 3). Have tempted yon, and our la.boor which Timothy brought of the fe.ith and be in vain j that is, useless, without result love of the Tbesse.lonie.ns comforted the (see on eh. ii. I; comp. also Ge.I. iv. 11, "I apostle a.mid e.ll the trie.ls and difficulties am afraid, lest I have bestowed upon you e.nd disappointments of his ministry (comp. le.hour in ve.io "). The tempta.ti,.m to with this passage 2 Cor. vii. 4-7). which the Thessalooians were exposed was Ver. 8.-Fornowwelive. Notto be referred that of e.poste.sy from Christianity, through to the eternal and future life (Chrysostom); the fear or endurance of persecution. That or to be weakened e.s if it mere!y signified, the teiupter he.d tempted them is probable "We relish e.nd enjoy life notwithstanding -it was almost une.voide.ble; that he he.d our affliction and distress" (Pelt); but the succeeded in his temptation, e.nd he.d thus meaning is the good tidings which Timothy rendored the apostle's le.hours among them he.s brought have imparted new life unto u•eless, was uncertain-6 oontingency which us ; " we e.re in the full strength and fresh. might possibly have taken place. ness of life, we do not feel the sorrows e.nd Ver. 6.-But now when Timotheus oe.me tribulations which the outer world prepan111 from you unto us. Timothy, as we learn for us" (Liineme.nn). The apostle con. from the Acta, in company with Silas, siders his condition of affliction and distress joined Pe.ul e.t Corinth (Acts xviii. 15), e.nd e.s a kind of death : so, elsewhere he se.ys, brought him infol'me.tion ooncerning the "I die daily" (I Cor. xv. 31); e.nd from state of the Thessalonian Church. And which death he we.ii now a.gain raised to brought us good tidings j the same word life. If; provided-6 hypothetice.l e.,;sump- whioh ie elsewhere employed for preaching tion. Ye stand fast; continue firm m the the gospel. The infol'mation which Timothy faith of the gospel. In the Lord j the brought to the· apostle was as it were e. element of true life. gospel to him (comp. Luke ii. 10, "Behold Ver. 9.-For; assigning the rea.son of the I bring you good tidings "). Of your decle.re.tion, "now we live." Whe.t thanks faith e.nd ohe.rity. The good tidings which oan we render to God age.in for yon. As Timothy brought referred to the spiritual their stee.dfe.stneBB in the faith was ol\"iDE( oonditio11 of the Thessalonie.ns-thdr faith to God's grace, the.nks we.s to be ren,lt-re,1 to had not been ilhe.ken and their love he.d noi God on their bthalf. For e.ll the joy ; joy  Ill THE FIRST EPISTLE TO 'l'HF. 'l'HESHALONIANS. [oH. m. 1-13.