1 Wherefore when wee could no longer forbeare, wee thought it good to bee left at Athens alone:
2 And sent Timotheus our brother and minister of God, and our fellow labourer in the Gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
3 That no man should be mooued by these afflictions: for your selues know that we are appointed therunto.
4 For verily when wee were with you, we told you before, that we should suffer tribulation, euen as it came to passe and ye know.
5 For this cause when I could no longer forbeare, I sent to know your faith, lest by some meanes the tempter haue tempted you, and our labor be in vaine.
6 But now when Timotheus came from you vnto vs, and brought vs good tidings of your faith and charitie, and that ye haue good remembrance of vs alwayes, desiring greatly to see vs, as we also to see you:
7 Therefore brethren, wee were comforted ouer you in all our affliction and distresse, by your faith:
8 For now we liue, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
9 For what thankes can we render to God againe for you, for all the ioy wherewith wee ioy for your sakes before our God,
10 Night & day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
11 Now God himselfe and our Father, and our Lord Iesus Christ direct our way vnto you.
12 And the Lorde make you to increase, & abound in loue one towards another, and towards all men, euen as we doe towards you:
13 To the end hee may stablish your hearts vnblameable in holinesse before God euen our Father, at the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ with all his Saints.
The apostle sent Timothy to establish and comfort the Thessalonians (1-5) He rejoiced at the good tidings of their faith and love. (6-10) And for their increase in grace. (11-13)1-5 The more we find pleasure in the ways of God, the more we shall desire to persevere therein. The apostle's design was to establish and comfort the Thessalonians as to the object of their faith, that Jesus Christ was the Saviour of the world; and as to the recompence of faith, which was more than enough to make up all their losses, and to reward all their labours. But he feared his labours would be in vain. If the devil cannot hinder ministers from labouring in the word and doctrine, he will, if possible, hinder the success of their labours. No one would willingly labour in vain. It is the will and purpose of God, that we enter into his kingdom through many afflictions. And the apostles, far from flattering people with the expectation of worldly prosperity in religion, told them plainly they must count upon trouble in the flesh. Herein they followed the example of their great Master, the Author of our faith. Christians were in danger, and they should be forewarned; they will thus be kept from being improved by any devices of the tempter.
6-10 Thankfulness to God is very imperfect in the present state; but one great end of the ministry of the word is to help faith forward. That which was the instrument to obtain faith, is also the means of increasing and confirming it, namely, the ordinances of God; and as faith cometh by hearing, so it is confirmed by hearing also.
11-13 Prayer is religious worship, and all religious worship is due unto God only. Prayer is to be offered to God as our Father. Prayer is not only to be offered in the name of Christ, but offered up to Christ himself, as our Lord and our Saviour. Let us acknowledge God in all our ways, and he will direct our paths. Mutual love is required of all Christians. And love is of God, and is fulfilling the gospel as well as the law. We need the Spirit's influences in order to our growth in grace; and the way to obtain them, is prayer. Holiness is required of all who would go to heaven; and we must act so that we do not contradict the profession we make of holiness. The Lord Jesus will certainly come in his glory; his saints will come with him. Then the excellence as well as the necessity of holiness will appear; and without this no hearts shall be established at that day, nor shall any avoid condemnation.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.