The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Thessalonians — Section 66

toms of his disease, he la not so terrified when they come. Thus the TheBBaloniam were prepared to see the sufferings of St. Paul and hiR companions-prepared themselve, to follow th.em as they followed Christ. The preacher mmt not rlwell exclusively on the bright side of religion, its beauty and its joys; he must point to the cross; he must prepare himself and his people to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. (3) But though he had warned them, he was still an:i:ioua. The affliction had come, as he had said. He knew that they were suffering; he felt for them in iheir trials. Especially he was anxious to know how that newly formed faith of theirs would endure the first shock of persecution. The tempter had tempted them-that was certain. These trials were his work. It was permitted; it was overruled for good, a~ the event showed. But it came from the same evil one who had tempted Job to curse God, aud was foiled then by the patience of that holy man, and now, by the grace of God, vouchsafed to the Thessalonians. But St. Paul did not know the issue. He had heard of the temptation, and with the tender, trembling solicitude of a loving parent he feared-he could not help fearing-lest his labour should prove in vain. Mark, again, his firm belief in the personality of Satan. He knew his malice; he was not ianorant of his devices, and he feared for his children in the faith. " LESSONS. 1. Pray for the love of souls ; seek to love souls with a great love, as St. Paul yearned for the salvation of his converts. 2. Be content, like him, to suffer privations for the souls of others. 3. Pray for the grace of perseverance ; be distrustful of self; trust only Christ; watch always. 4. Expect affiictions, chastisements; they must come ; they form a necessary part of Christian experience ; be prepared for them. -B. C.O. Vere. 6-10.-The retum of Timotheua. I. THE GOOD NEWS. 1. The faith (J'll,d charity of the Thusaloniana. This was good tidings to St. Paul. The gospel was good tidings to all who felt the misery of sin, to all who had been distressed by the strange, perplexing mysteries of life. Tidings of a Deliverer, of an atonement, of the gracious help of God's Holy Spirit, of eternal life to come, were full of juy and gladness to the Thessalonians. Out of that first great joy sprang other gifts of joy. The apostles had no greater joy than to hear that their children were walkiDg in the truth. They had so entered into the full meaning of that short prayer, "Thy will be done, in eartl: as it is in heaven," that they had learned to share the holy joy wherewith the blessed inhabitants of heaven rejoice over one sinner that repenteth. Good news to them did not mean this or that earthly success, but the growth in grace of Christian souls. Are we thus affected when we hear of the victories of the gospel. of missionary triumphs abroad, of converted sinners, of holy deaths at home? It is a sure index of our spiritual state. If we know ourselves the deep blessedness of communion witb God, we shall count it good news indeed when we hear of other souls being drawn into that holy fellowship. The glory of God is the one highest object to which all true Christians look, and each redeemed soul brings new glory and honour to tbe great Hedeemer. The deeper, the purer our joy in the growth of holiness around us, the nearer our approach, while we are yet on earth, to the holy joy of heaven. Timotheus brought news that the faith of the Thessalonians had not wavered in the fiery trial, that their charity was liviug and fervent. It was glad news indeed to St. Paul. 2. Their rememlYrance of the apostui. St. Paul had a tender human heart; he writes these words, as Bengel says, with a fresh joy, with the tenderest love. The steadfastness of their faith was the chief part of the good news ; but also their personal love for the apostle was very precious to him. To hear that they loved him still, that they desired greatly to see him, that they remembered his presence, his words, his affection, was very sweet to him. IL ST. PAUL'S DELIGHT. 1. He was comforted. He had need of comfort and encoura:i;ement. Since he left Thessalonica he had met with great perplexities and disappointments at Athens; and now at Corinth he was working amid many difficul- ties, much harassed by the persecutions of the Jews, toiling hard for his daily bread. He tells them of his necessities, of his affliction. But now he was comforted ; and it was their faith that brought him comfort, that encouraged him in his work. How these words must have pleased the Thessalonians, who so loved the apostle! To hear of their faith was good tidings to him ; to be told that that faith had givt1n him such deep comfort In his troubles mUBt have been good news to them. 2. Their pertewranc~  M THE FIRST EPISTLE TO fflE THl~SSALONIANS. [oa. m. 1-13.