The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Thessalonians — Section 11

(M11tt. X%V. 34). This is "the grace that is to be brought to them at the revelation of Jea111 Christ" (1 Pet. i. 18). (2) They shall receive rest-" rest with us," as the Lord's recompense for all their sufferings. It points to their release from persecutions. (a) There is a res~ sabbatism-" for the people of God" (Heb. iv. 9). They "shall rest from their labours, and their works do follow them" (Rev. xiv. 13). (b) It is rest in the fellowship of all saints-" rest with us." (3) 'fhe effect of the Lord's second advent-" that he may be glorified in his saints, and be admired in a.II them that believe." (a) The Church is to be "the glory of Christ." Jesus said, "The glory which thou gavest me I have given them" (John xvii. 10, 22). "The beauty of the Lord God shall be upon her," and " his glory shall be seen upon her" (Ps. xc. 17) ; Isa. Ix. 2). The Church is addressed thus: "There shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God" (Isa. I.xii. 3). (b) Christ shall be an Object of wonder to belitivers in that day. "To be admired in all them that believe." The wonder will spring out of the extraordinary manifestations of his glory and power.-T. C. Vera. 11, 12.-Prayer /or eAe 77iessalonian, in prospect of their glorification. Bis lrish was that they would undergo the necessary preparatory work in anticipation of their future glorification. It was a double prayer. I. A PRAYER THAT HIS CONVERTS MIGHT APPROVE THE REALITY 01' TBEm CALLING BY THEm FAITB AND LIFE. "Whereunto we pray always for you, brethren, that God would count yon worthy of his calling." 1. The nature and intent of the calling. (1) It is the effectual call of the Spirit in conversion (1 Cor. i. 24). (2) It is according to the Divine purpose (Rom. viii. 28). (3) It is (a) high (Phil. iii. 14); (b) holy (2 Tim. i. 9); (c) heavenly (Heh. iii. 1). (4) It is a call (a) to fellowship with Christ (1 Cor. i. 9); (b) to holiness (1 Thess. iv. 7); (c) to liberty (Gal. v. 13); (d) to peace (Col iii. 15); (e) to glory and virtue (2 Pet. i. 3); (/) to eternal life (1 Tim. vi. 12). 2. .A tJJOl,k worthy ef su.ch a calling. "That God would count you worthy of this calling." How can any sinful man be accounted worthy of it? He is ,already called, and God's counting him worthy proceeds on the supposition of that pre-existing fact. It supposes : (1) That their life would be found at the last day in harmony with the call (1 Thess. v. 24). (2) That they would meanwhile "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they were called" (Eph. iv. 1), and "make their calling and election sure" (2 Pet. i. 10). (3) That they would have occasion to praise God for the call (1 Pet. ii. 9). lL A PRAYER TBAT HIS CONVERTS MIGHT l'O'LLY REALIZE THE BLESSED PROCESS THROUGH WHICH TBE APOSTLE'S OBJECT MIGHT BE BEC!UBED. The process is twofold. l. T!,at God woul,d work in them euery deli,ght in moral, goodnut. " Fulfil every good pleasure of goodness." (1) Good men delight in goodness and in doing good. (2) It is God who implants this delight in them; for they are "his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Eph. ii. 10). They are, therefore, to be "zealoUB of good works" (TitUB ii 14), and to provoke one another to "good works" (Heh. x. 24). This goodness is one of the Spirit's fruits (Gal v. 22). 2. 77iat God would /"1/i,l the work ef faith with power. (1) Faith is an operative grace; it "worketh by love;" it justifies itself by good works. (2) It is a Divine work. Therefore, as something may have been lacking therein, the apostle prays that he who is the Author of their faith would be the Finisher of it (Heb. xii. 2). (3) It is a work done with power. At their conversion, the Thessalcnians felt the "greatness of his power to us-ward who believe" (Eph. i. 19), and the same power is needed to make it triumphant as a principle of action and as a principle of endurance. "Our sufficiency is of God;" we are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation" (1 Pet. i. 6). IlL THE ULTUI.ATE OBJECT OF THE APOBTLB'B PRAYERS FOB THE THEBBALONUNS. •• That the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him." 1. The very Name ef <Jhrut ia to be gwrified in the saints. (1) Because it is" a Name that is above every name, at which every knee should bow" (Phil. ii.10). (2) Because it is the Name for the sake of which the saints are now" hated of all nations" (Matt. xxiv. 9). (3) Bt:eause it is the Name by which the saints are called (Jas. ii. 7). ( 4) It is glorified in the saints (a) in their holiness of life; (b) in their victory over the world and sin; (c) in their steadfast loyalty to him; (d) in their final exaltation to "his kinedom and elor.v." 2 'l'h.. '4int.t will be glorified in <Jhrist. (1) In his wear- lllL L 1-12.J '!'HE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THEBSALONIANS. t