The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Thessalonians — Section 8

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 8.-Thanksgiving for the spiritual progress of the TheBBaloni,ans, Timothy had brought the apostle tidings of their faith, their love, their sufferings, and their patience. I. THE GROUNDS OF HIS THANKSGIVING. .. Because that your faith ~oweth exceed- ingly, and the love of each one of you all toward each other aboundeth." 1. The marked growth of their faith. At his last writing to them he had hinted at deficiencies in their faith (1 These, iii, 10), but he bad now learned that it had grown exceedicgly. (1) Growth is a sign of a living faith. (2) It is right to pray for the increase of faith (Luke xvii. 5). (3) Faith grows (a) in its strength (b) and in its range. The Thessa- lonians had been able to receive new truths, and to bear the shock of persecution with calmness. Their faith worked by love (Gal. v. 6), and the trial of their faith worked ·pa_tience (Jas. i. 3). 2. The marked growth of their love to one another. He had prayed for an increase of love among them, and he was thankful that his prayer had been heard. (1) Their love had grown in fervour. (a) Their persecutions had endeared them the more to each other. (b) They "looked not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others" (Phil. ii. 4). They "bore one another's burdens" (Gal. vi. 2), They were "kindly affectioned to oce another with brotherly love" (Rom. xii. 10). (2) Their love had grown in its range. l'hey had an indivi- dualizing solicitude in each other's welfare, no saint being outside the pale of their kindly regards. II. THE OBLIGATION AND APPROPRIATENESS OF HIS THANKSGIVING. "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet." 1. The apostle regards it a, a posilive debt which it would be injustice not to discharge, for he feels that God is the true Author of all the blessings they had received. 2. He regards it as demanded by the very proprietie, of the case. "As it is meet "-tha& this recognition &hould be made.-T.O. Ver. 4.-The apostle's interest in the Thessalonian (Jhurch a, manifested by hi, praises of it to other Churches. He had formerly listened to their praises from the lip1 of other Ohurches ; he couhl now sound their praises at Corinth and elsewhere, ascribing all the whilA due praise to God.  6 THE SEOOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANB. [oe. 1, 1-12,