HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-5.-77ie design of Timothy's mission to Thessalonica. When the apostle could no longer control his longing to see his converts, he sent them Timothy by way of relieving his solicitude in their behalf. His love for them was.manifest in all the circumstances of this mission. I. HE SACRIFICES HIS OWN IMMEDIATE COMFORT TO THEIR BENEFIT. .. We thought it good to be left at Athens alone." I. Though Timothy was most necessary to him in the ministry, he parted with him for their good. 2. Athens, as a seat of boundless idol,atry, exercised such a depressing influence upon him that he needed tAe stimulu, of Timothy's suciety. Yet he denied himself this comfort that he might serve them. Il HE DESPATCHES TO THEM THE .MOST HIGHLY ESTEEMED OF H18 PELLOW- 1,ABOUREBS. "Our brother, and minister of God, and fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ." He selects one best fitted to serve them by his gifts, his experience, and his knowledge of the apostle's views and wishes. The various titles here given to Timothy help t.o honour him before the Churches, and t.o challenge the abiding confidence of.the Thessalonians. Ill. THE DESIGN OF TnloTHY's MISBION. It was twofold: " To establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith," and "to know your faith." I. The necessity for his mission. The afflictions which they were enduring for the gospel. (1) These afflictions had a most disturbing tendency. "That no one be disquieted by _these affliction&." The converts had newly emerged from heathenism, and therefore the apostle was more concerned on their behalf. Yet, as we know from the Second Epistle, they remained firm. "We ourselves glory in you in the Churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure" (2 Thess. i. 4). (2) These afflictions were of Divine appointment. "For yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto." They were, therefore, "no strange thing." They come by the will of God, who has deterwined their nature, severity, and duration. "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves." The afflictions were not accidental. (:l) They were clearly foreseen by the apostle. " When we were with yon we told you l,eforehand that we are to suffer affliction." (a) It is the duty of ministers to forewarn their converts of comiD"' affliction, lest they should be offended thereby. (b) Converts, when forewarned, ought to be forearmed, so that they may not sink under them, much less forsake the gospel on account of them. "For the light afflictions are but for a moment, and work out an exceeding weight of glory." (4) Satan is the main source of danger in thP.se afflictions. "Lest by any means the tempter had tempted yolL" The apostle was" not ignorant of his devices," and was apprehensive lest Satan should get an advantage of his converts by moving them from the hope of the gospel, and cauaing them Lo relinquish their profession of it. (5) The only security against Satan's temptatio1111-faith ; for this "is the victory that overcometh the world "-this is the shield "wherewith they could quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." 2. The mar&ner in v,}w;h TfflWthy', 'lmUWll waa to be dischar_qed. "To establish you and to comfort ou. lll, 1-18,] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. 6V
you oonceming your faith." (1) In relation t,o the ThesRalonians. Timothy would (a) establish them by giving them a fresh exhibition of the trnth with its manifold evidences. The strongest faith needs confirmatfon. The apostles were in the habit of confirming the smile of the disciples (Acte xiv. 22). (b) He would comfort them con- cernine: their faith by exhibiting the example of Christ, the glory that must accrue to God from their steadfastness, and the hope of the coming kingdom. (2) In relation to the apostle himself. "To know your faith." One ohject of his sending Timothy WIUI to put an end to his own a11xieties and doubts on their behalf, fur he might fear that" his labour would be in vain." He might hope the best but fear the worst, for he was most deeply concerned in their welfare.-T. C. Vere. 6-8.-The happy issue of Timothy's viait to Thessalonica. This Epistle was written immerliately after Timothy's return as expressive of the apfJstle's h,,arty relief at his tidings. I. THE GOOD TIDINGS. "Your faith and charity, and that ye have remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you." 1. Their faith. He was ~ratified to hear of the steadfastness and soundness of their faith. They abounded in the (1) grace of faith, which was unfeigned, growing, and lively; (2) in the doctrine of faith, which had much light in it; (3) in the profession of faith, which they held fast without wavering, out of a pure conscience. 2. Their love. This, which was the fruit of their faith, had not waxed cold on account of abounding iniquity. Their faith worked by love. The two graces are always found together. Christian love must be without dissimulation, in deed and in truth, fervent and constant. 3. Their =timt and kindly remembrance of the apostle. " Ye have a good remembrance of us al ways." They thought much of their spiritual teachers, bore their persons in memory, thought of them with gratitude and respect, and, no doubt, remembered them in their prayers. 4. Their desire to see the apostle. They desired to have their memories refreshed by a pereooal visit from him. If they had begun to fall away, they would not have been so anxious to 11ee him. There was a tender attachment on both sides, for there was a longing on both sides for further fellowship. II. THE EFFEOTS OF TBEBE GOOD TIDINGS ON THE APOSTLE. " Therefore we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith." 1. They enabled him, if nol to forget, at least to bear up, under a weighty burden of trial. He was now at Corinth, in peril and persecution from the Jews, who "opposed themselves anC: blasphemed" (Acts xviii. 6-17; 1 Cor. ii. 3). He was disconsolate and dispirited, almost like a dead man, carrying about with him the dying of the Lord Jesus ; but now the news of Timothy revived him, like life from the dead, infusing into him new life and vigour. It was their faith especially which comforted him. There is no comfort to a minister comparable to that which springs from the stability and perseverance of his people. 2. The very continuance of his life seemed to be dependent upon their steadfastness. "For now WEl live, if ye stand fast in the Lord." The language is almost painfully strong. It suggested to them: (1) The necessity of continued watchful- ness and faith. (2) 'l'he true secret of steadfastness-being "in the Lord." Thus only would " they build themselves up in their most holy faith," " continuing steadfastly in the Church's prayers and instructions." (3) How much they could aft'ect, not the comfort only, but the life of their teachers, by their vigilance and perseverance 1-T. C.