The Thessalonian Christians continue to grow in faith, love and endurance, in spite of the constant persecution they suffer; and Paul continues to talk about them as an example that should challenge others (1:1-4; cf. 1Th 1:3; 1Th 1:6-7). He encourages them to keep moving forward, and points out that their suffering is proof of the genuineness of their faith. Their endurance shows that they are worthy to inherit the kingdom of God. In his righteous judgment God uses sufferings to bring his people to maturity, but by the same righteous judgment he will punish those who persecute them (5-6).
Christ’s return will bring relief and rest to the persecuted believers (Paul here links himself with the Thessalonians), but it will also bring judgment to the ungodly. For the one it will bring glory, for the other eternal destruction (7-10). Paul prays that by God’s power the Thessalonians will go on producing those qualities of Christian character that are fitting in those whom God has called. Such character will bring honour to Christ now and will reach its full expression in the age to come (11-12).
1. To the Church of the Thessalonians which is in God. As to the form of salutation, it were superfluous to speak. This only it is necessary to notice — that by a Church in God and Christ is meant one that has not merely been gathered together under the banner of faith, for the purpose of worshipping one God the Father, and confiding in Christ, but is the work and building as well of the Father as of Christ, because while God adopts us to himself, and regenerates us, we from him begin to be in Christ. (1Co 1:30)
3. To give thanks. He begins with commendation, that he may have occasion to pass on to exhortation, for in this way we have more success among those who have already entered upon the course, when without passing over in silence their former progress, we remind them how far distant they are as yet from the goal, and stir them up to make progress. As, however, he had in the former Epistle commended their faith and love, he now declares the increase of both. And, unquestionably, this course ought to be pursued by all the pious — to examine themselves daily, and see how far they have advanced. This, therefore, is the true commendation of believers — their growing daily in faith and love. When he says always, he means that he is constantly supplied with new occasion. He had previously given thanks to God on their account. He says that he has now occasion to do so again, on the ground of daily progress. When, however, he gives thanks to God on this account, he declares that the enlargements, no less than the beginnings, of faith and love are from him, for if they proceeded from the power of men, thanksgiving would be pretended, or at least worthless. Farther, he shews that their proficiency was not trivial, or even ordinary, but most abundant. So much the more disgraceful is our slowness, inasmuch as we scarcely advance one foot during a long space of time.
As is meet. In these words Paul shews that we are bound to give thanks to God, not only when he does us good, but also when we take into view the favors bestowed by him upon our brethren. For wherever the goodness of God shines forth, it becomes us to extol it. Farther, the welfare of our brethren ought to be so dear to us, that we ought to reckon among our own benefits everything that has been conferred upon them. Nay more, if we consider the nature and sacredness of the unity of Christ’s body, such a mutual fellowship will have place among us, that we shall reckon the benefits conferred upon an individual member as gain to the whole Church. Hence, in extolling God’s benefits, we must always have an eye to the whole body of the Church.
4. So that we ourselves glory in you. He could not have bestowed higher commendation upon them, than by saying that he sets them forward before other Churches as a pattern, for such is the meaning of those words: — We glory in you in the presence of other Churches. For Paul did not boast of the faith of the Thessalonians from a spirit of ambition, but inasmuch as his commendation of them might be an incitement to make it their endeavor to imitate them. He does not say, however, that he glories in their faith and love, but in their patience and faith. Hence it follows, that patience is the fruit and evidence of faith. These words ought, therefore, to be explained in this manner: — “We glory in the patience which springs from faith, and we bear witness that it eminently shines forth in you;” otherwise the context would not correspond. And, undoubtedly, there is nothing that sustains us in tribulations as faith does; which is sufficiently manifest from this, that we altogether sink down so soon as the promises of God leave us. Hence, the more proficiency any one makes in faith, he will be so much the more endued with patience for enduring all things with fortitude, as on the other hand, softness and impatience under adversity betoken unbelief on our part; but more especially when persecutions are to be endured for the gospel, the influence of faith in that case discovers itself.
5. A demonstration of the righteous judgment of God. Without mentioning the exposition given by others, I am of opinion that the true meaning is this — that the injuries and persecutions which innocent and pious persons endure from the wicked and abandoned, shew clearly, as in a mirror, that God will one day be the judge of the world. And this statement is quite at antipodes with that profane notion, which we are accustomed to entertain, whenever it goes well with the good and ill with the wicked. For we think that the world is under the regulation of mere chance, and we leave God no control. Hence it is that impiety and contempt take possession of men’s hearts, as Solomon speaks, (Ecc 9:3) for those that suffer anything undeservedly either throw the blame upon God, or do not think that he concerns himself as to the affairs of men. We hear what Ovid says, — “I am tempted to think that there are no gods.” (626) Nay more, David confesses (Psa 73:1) that, because he saw things in so confused a state in the world, he had well-nigh lost his footing, as in a slippery place. On the other hand, the wicked become more insolent through occasion of prosperity, as if no punishment of their crimes awaited them; just as Dionysius, when making a prosperous voyage, (627) boasted that the gods favored the sacrilegious. (628) In fine, when we see that the cruelty of the wicked against the innocent walks abroad with impunity, carnal sense concludes that there is no judgment of God, that there are no punishments of the wicked, that there is no reward of righteousness.
Paul, however, declares on the other hand, that as God thus spares the wicked for a time, and winks at the injuries inflicted upon his people, His judgment to come is shewn us as in a mirror. For he takes for granted that it cannot but be that God, inasmuch as he is a just Judge, will one day restore peace to the miserable, who are now unjustly harassed, and will pay to the oppressors of the pious the reward that they have merited. Hence, if we hold this principle of faith, that God is the just Judge of the world, and that it is his office to render to every one a recompense according to his works, this second principle will follow incontrovertibly — that the present disorderly state of matters (ἀταξίαν) is a demonstration of the judgment, which does not yet appear. For if God is the righteous Judge of the world, those things that are now confused must, of necessity, be restored to order. Now, nothing is more disorderly than that the wicked, with impunity, give molestation to the good, and walk abroad with unbridled violence, while the good are cruelly harassed without any fault on their part. From this it may be readily inferred, that God will one day ascend the judgment-seat, that he may remedy the state of matters in the world, so as to bring them into a better condition.
Hence the statement which he subjoins — that it is righteous with God to appoint affliction, etc. , is the groundwork of this doctrine — that God furnishes tokens of a judgment to come when he refrains, for the present, from exercising the office of judge. And unquestionably, if matters were now arranged in a tolerable way, so that the judgment of God might be recognized as having been fully exercised, an adjustment of this nature would detain us upon earth. Hence God, in order that he may stir us up to the hope of a judgment to come, does, for the present, only to some extent judge the world. He furnishes, it is true, many tokens of his judgment, but it is in such a manner as to constrain us to extend our hope farther. A remarkable passage truly, as teaching us in what manner our minds ought to be raised up above all the impediments of the world, whenever we suffer any adversity — that the righteous judgment of God may present itself to our mind, which will raise us above this world. Thus death will be an image of life.
May be accounted worthy. There are no persecutions that are to be reckoned of such value as to make us worthy of the kingdom of God, nor does Paul dispute here as to the ground of worthiness, but simply takes the common doctrine of Scripture — that God destroys in us those things that are of the world, that he may restore in us a better life; and farther, that by means of afflictions he shews us the value of eternal life. In short, he simply points out the manner in which believers are prepared and, as it were, polished under God’s anvil, inasmuch as, by afflictions, they are taught to renounce the world and to aim at God’s heavenly kingdom. Farther, they are confirmed in the hope of eternal life while they fight for it. For this is the entrance of which Christ discoursed to his disciples. (Mat 7:13; Luk 13:24)
(626) “Solicitor nullos esse putare deos.” — Ovid in. Amo 9:36. In order to see the appropriateness of the quotation, it is necessary to notice the connection of the words “Cum rapiant mala fata bonos.... Solicitor,” etc.; — “When misfortunes overtake the good, I am tempted,” etc. — Ed.
(627) “Comme Denys le tyran, apres auoir pillé vn temple, s’estant mis sur le mer, et voyant qu’il auoit bon vent;” — “As Dionysius the tyrant, after he had plundered a temple, having embarked upon the sea, and observing that he had a favorable wind.”
(628) Our author alludes to a saying of Dionysius the younger, tyrant of Sicily, on occasion of his plundering the temple of Proserpine. See Calvin on the Psalms, vol. 1, p. 141, vol. 3, p. 126, and vol. 5, p. 114.—Ed.
6. To appoint affliction. We have already stated why it is that he makes mention of the vengeance of God against the wicked — that we may learn to rest in the expectation of a judgment to come, because God does not as yet avenge the wicked, while it is, nevertheless, necessary that they should suffer the punishment of their crimes. Believers, however, at the same time, understand by this that there is no reason why they should envy the momentary and evanescent felicity of the wicked, which will ere long be exchanged for a dreadful destruction. What he adds as to the rest of the pious, accords with the statement of Paul, (Act 3:20,) where he calls the day of the last judgment the day of refreshing
In this declaration, however, as to the good and the bad, he designed to shew more clearly how unjust and confused the government of the world would be, if God did not defer punishments and rewards till another judgment, for in this way the name of God were a thing that was dead. (629) Hence he is deprived of his office and power by all that are not intent on that righteousness of which Paul speaks.
He adds with us, that he may gain credit to his doctrine from his experience of belief in his own mind; for he shews that he does not philosophize as to things unknown, by putting himself into the same condition, and into the same rank with them. We know, however, how much more authority is due to those who have, by long practice, been exercised in those things which they teach, and do not require from others anything but what they are themselves prepared to do. Paul, therefore, does not, while himself in the shade, give instructions to the Thessalonians as to how they should fight in the heat of the sun, but, fighting vigorously, exhorts them to the same warfare. (630)
(629) “Morte et sans vertu;” — “Dead and powerless.”
(630) “S. Paul, donc, enseignant les Thessaloniciens comment ils doyuent combattre au milieu des afflictions, ne parle point comme vn gendarme qui estant en l’ombre et a son aise, accourageroit les autres a faire leur deuoir a la campagne au milieu de la poussiere et a la chaleur du soleil: mais combattant luy—mesme vaillamment, il les exhorte a combattre de mesme;” — “St Paul, therefore, instructing the Thessalonians how they ought to fight in the midst of afflictions, does not speak like a soldier who, while in the shade and at his ease, would encourage others to do their duty in the campaign in the midst of dust, and in the heat of the sun; but, while fighting himself valiantly, he exhorts them to contend in like manner.”
7. When the Lord shall be manifested. Here we have a confirmation of the foregoing statement. For as it is one of the articles of our faith, that Christ will come from heaven, and will not come in vain, faith ought to seek the end of his coming. Now this is — that he may come as a Redeemer to his own people; nay more, that he may judge the whole world. The description which follows has a view to this — that the pious may understand that God is so much the more concerned as to their afflictions in proportion to the dreadfulness of the judgment that awaits his enemies. For the chief occasion of grief and distress is this — that we think that God is but lightly affected with our calamities. We see into what complaints David from time to time breaks forth, while he is consumed by the pride and insolence of his enemies. Hence he has brought forward all this for the consolation of believers, while he represents the tribunal of Christ as full of horror, (631) that they may not be disheartened by their present oppressed condition, while they see themselves proudly and disdainfully trampled upon by the wicked.
What is to be the nature of that fire, and of what materials, I leave to the disputations of persons of foolish curiosity. I am contented with holding what Paul had it in view to teach — that Christ will be a most strict avenger of the injuries which the wicked inflict upon us. The metaphor, however, of flame and fire, is abundantly common in Scripture, when the anger of God is treated of.
By the angels of his power, he means those in whom he will exercise his power; for he will bring the angels with him for the purpose of displaying the glory of his kingdom. Hence, too, they are elsewhere called the angels of his majesty
(631) “Plein d’horreur et d’espouvantement;” —”Full of horror and terror.”
8. Who will inflict vengeance. That he may the better persuade believers that the persecutions which they endure will not go unpunished, he teaches that this also involves the interests of God himself, inasmuch as the same persons that persecute the pious are guilty of rebellion against God. Hence it is necessary that God should inflict vengeance upon them not merely with a view to our salvation, but also for the sake of his own glory. Farther, this expression, who will inflict vengeance, relates to Christ, for Paul intimates that this office is assigned to him by God the Father. It may be asked, however, whether it is lawful for us to desire vengeance, for Paul promises it, as though it could be lawfully desired. I answer, that it is not lawful to desire vengeance upon any one, inasmuch as we are commanded to wish well to all. Besides, although we may in a general way desire vengeance upon the wicked, yet, as we do not as yet discriminate them, we ought to desire the welfare of all. In the mean time, the ruin of the wicked may be lawfully looked forward to with desire, provided there reigns in our hearts a pure and duly regulated zeal for God, and there is no feeling of inordinate desire.
Who know not. He distinguishes unbelievers by these two marks — that they know not God, and obey not the gospel of Christ. For if obedience is not rendered to the gospel through faith, as he teaches in the first and in the last chapters of the Epistle to the Romans, [Rom 1:18,] unbelief is the occasion of resistance to it. He charges them at the same time with ignorance of God, for a lively acquaintance with God produces of itself reverence towards him. Hence unbelief is always blind, not as though unbelievers were altogether devoid of light and intelligence, but because they have the understanding darkened in such a manner, that seeing they do not see. (Mat 13:13.) It is not without good grounds that Christ declares that this is life eternal, to know the true God, etc. (Joh 17:3.) Accordingly, from the want of this salutary knowledge, there follows contempt of God, and in fine, death. On this point I have treated more fully in commenting on the first chapter of First Corinthians. (632)
(632) See Calvin on the Corinthians, vol. 1, pp. 84-86.
9. Everlasting destruction from the face. He shews, by apposition, what is the nature of the punishment of which he had made mention — destruction without end, and an undying death. The perpetuity of the death is proved from the circumstance, that it has the glory of Christ as its opposite. Now, this is eternal, and has no end. Accordingly, the influence of that death will never cease. From this also the dreadful severity of the punishment may be inferred, inasmuch as it will be great in proportion to the glory and majesty of Christ.
10When he shall come to be sanctified. As he has hitherto discoursed as to the punishment of the wicked, he now returns to the pious, and says that Christ will come, that he may be glorified in them; that is, that he may irradiate them with his glory, and that they may be partakers of it. “Christ will not have this glory for himself individually; but it will be common to all the saints.” This is the crowning and choice consolation of the pious, that when the Son of God will be manifested in the glory of his kingdom, he will gather them into the same fellowship with himself. (633) There is, however, an implied contrast between the present condition in which believers labor and groan, and that final restoration. For they are now exposed to the reproaches of the world, and are looked upon as vile and worthless; but then they will be precious, and full of dignity, when Christ will pour forth his glory upon them. The end of this is, that the pious may as it were, with closed eyes, pursue the brief journey of this earthly life, having their minds always intent upon the future manifestation of Christ’s kingdom. For to what purpose does he make mention of His coming in power, but in order that they may in hope leap forward to that blessed resurrection which is as yet hid?
It is also to be observed, that after having made use of the term saints, he adds, by way of explanation — those that believe, by which he intimates that there is no holiness in men without faith, but that all are profane. In the close he again repeats the terms — in that day, for that expression is connected with this sentence. Now, he repeats it with this view, that he may repress the desires of believers, lest they should hasten forward beyond due bounds.
Because credit was given What he had said in a general way as to saints, he now applies to the Thessalonians, that they may not doubt that they are of that number.
“Because,” says he, “my preaching has obtained credit among you, Christ has already enrolled you in the number of his own people, whom he will make partakers of his glory.”
He calls his doctrine a testimony, because the Apostles are Christ’s witnesses. (Act 1:8.) Let us learn, therefore, that the promises of God are ratified in us, when they gain credit with us.
(633) “Il les recueillera en plene conionction, et les fera ses consors;” — “He will gather them in full union, and will make them his partners.”
11On which account we pray always. That they may know that they need continual help from God, he declares that he prays in their behalf. When he says on this account, he means, in order that they may reach that final goal of their course, as appears from the succeeding context, that he would fulfill all the good pleasure, etc. It may seem, however, as if what he has mentioned first were unnecessary, for God had already accounted them worthy of his calling. He speaks, however, as to the end or completion, which depends on perseverance. For as we are liable to give way, our calling would not fail, so far as we are concerned, to prove sooner or later vain, if God did not confirm it. Hence he is said to account us worthy, when he conducts us to the point at which we aimed.
And fulfill. Paul goes to an amazing height in extolling the grace of God, for not contenting himself with the term good pleasure, he says that it flows from his goodness, unless perhaps any one should prefer to consider the beneficence (635) as arising from this good pleasure, which amounts to the same thing. When, however, we are instructed that the gracious purpose of God is the cause of our salvation, and that that has its foundation in the goodness of the same God, are we not worse than mad, if we venture to ascribe anything, however small, to our own merits? For the words are in no small degree emphatic. He might have said in one word, that your faith may be fulfilled, but he terms it good pleasure. Farther, he expresses the idea still more distinctly by saying, that God was prompted by nothing else than his own goodness, for he finds nothing in us but misery.
Nor does Paul ascribe to the grace of God merely the beginning of our salvation, but all departments of it. Thus that contrivance of the Sophists is set aside, that we are, indeed, anticipated by the grace of God, but that it is helped by subsequent merits. Paul, on the other hand, recognizes in the whole progress of our salvation nothing but the pure grace of God. As, however, the good pleasure of God has been already accomplished in him, referring in the term subsequently employed by him to the effect which appears in us, he explains his meaning when he says — and work of faith. And he calls it a work, with regard to God, who works or produces faith in us, as though he had said — “that he may complete the building of faith which he has begun.”
It is, also, not without good reason, that he says with power, for he intimates that the perfecting of faith is an arduous matter, and one of the greatest difficulty. This, also, we know but too well from experience; and the reason, too, is not far to seek, if we consider how great our weakness is, how various are the hindrances that obstruct us on every side, and how severe are the assaults of Satan. Hence, unless the power of God afford us help in no ordinary degree, faith will never rise to its full height. For it is no easier task to bring faith to perfection in an individual, than to rear upon water a tower that may by its firmness withstand all storms and fury of tempests, and may surmount the clouds in height, for we are not less fluid than water, and it is necessary that the height of faith reach as high as heaven.
(635) “Ceste bonté et beneficence;” — “This goodness and beneficence.”
12That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified. He calls us back to the chief end of our whole life — that we may promote the Lord’s glory. What he adds, however, is more especially worthy of notice, that those who have advanced the glory of Christ will also in their turn be glorified in him. For in this, first of all, the wonderful goodness of God shines forth — that he will have his glory be conspicuous in us who are covered over with ignominy. This, however, is a twofold miracle, that he afterwards irradiates us with his glory, as though he would do the same to us in return. On this account he adds, according to the grace of God and Christ. For there is nothing here that is ours either in the action itself, or in the effect or fruit, for it is solely by the guidance of the Holy Spirit that our life is made to contribute to the glory of God. And the circumstance that so much fruit arises from this ought to be ascribed to the great mercy of God. In the mean time, if we are not worse than stupid, we must aim with all our might at the advancement of the glory of Christ, which is connected with ours. I deem it unnecessary to explain at present in what sense he represents the glory as belonging to God and Christ in common, as I have explained this elsewhere.
2Th 1:3. We are bound to thank God, &c.- From this verse to the end of the chapter, the apostle repeats the substance and main design of the first epistle; which was, to confirm them in Christianity, and in their patient suffering for it: and the great argument which he here makes use of is, that the Lord Jesus Christ would come as an universal judge, and that then he would punish the impenitent, and make the faithful happy, for ever. The Christians at Thessalonica seem to have been remarkable for their patience and steadfastness, as well as for their mutual love and affection. See 2Th 1:4-5. 1Th 1:3; 1Th 1:6-10; 1Th 2:14; 1Th 4:9-10.
2Th 1:4. So that we ourselves glory- Compare 2Th 1:11 with this verse, and you will find, that here is an instance of his commending them, according to his frequent way of writing, in order to encourage and more effectually persuade them still to be advancing. From this text it is worth while to observe the apostle's skilful and happy address: he raised the emulation of other churches, by commending the Thessalonians; and he again quickens the Thessalonians, by acquainting them how much he had praised them in other churches.
2Th 1:5. Which is a manifest token- The exercise of God's justice has a double object; respecting good men for their purification, and respecting bad men for their punishment. Persecution inflicted and suffered, furnishes both these objects respectively. Perhaps the word rendered manifest token, may further imply, that the sufferings of good men, and the triumphs of their persecuting enemies, should not only terminate in a display of divine vengeance; but that these seeming irregularities do even now declare, that there shall be such a day of retribution.
2Th 1:6-7. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God, &c.- His justice is equally concerned to afflict those in their turns who have afflicted you; 2Th 1:7 and to grant to you who have been afflicted, repose with us, &c. Heylin. With his mighty angels, should be joined to the next clause;-his mighty angels in flaming fire; or, "who will make a flaming fire;" as Psa 104:3-4.
2Th 1:9. From the presence of the Lord,- This phrase expresses not only that they shall be expelled from that joy and glory which reigns in the presence of Christ, but that his presence shall appear active in the infliction of their punishment; so that they shall as it were be blasted by the lightning of his eye. The original is very emphatical: "Who shall suffer punishment,-everlasting destruction from the face of the Lord." From the glory of his power means, from his glorious power.
2Th 1:10. To be admired, &c.- This strongly implies, not only that the saints themselves shall admire at what he does for them, so far above all their conceptions and expectations; but that it shall reflect an admirable gloryupon our Redeemer, in the judgment of all who shall be spectators of it. Elsner and Grotius read the next clause, Because our testimony concerning you will be approved in that day; or shall have been verified, or ratified upon you. Dr. Heylin reads it, For what we have testified and declared to you, shall be verified in that day.
2Th 1:11. That our God would count you worthy- Would make, or render you worthy, &c. Heylin and Doddridge. Instead of the good pleasure of his goodness, Blackwall would render the original ευδοκιαν αγαθωσυνης the benevolence of his goodness; and observes, that it is the shortest and most charming representation any where to be found, of that infinite goodness which passes all expression, but was never so happily and properly expressed as here.
Inferences.-How solemn and august will Christ's appearance to judgment be at the last day! How tremendous to sinners! and how transporting to the saints! he will then be visibly seen, as coming from heaven with aweful majesty and surrounding hosts of angels; a flame of fire will go before him to devour his enemies; and he will execute righteous judgment in taking dreadful vengeance on those who have finally stifled the divine light under their respective dispensations, and especially on those who have rebelled against the clearer light of the gospel, and on all the persecutors of his church and people: they shall be banished from his blissful presence, and punished with immediate impressions of his Almighty power upon them to their everlasting destruction. But with what a different aspect, and to what better purposes will he, at the same time, manifest himself to his faithful saints, whose hearts have been purified by faith! he will come to be glorified and admired in them; and they shall be glorified in and with him, as members in union with him. Then the holy and blessed creation of God shall see to all eternity, from what ruin Jesus could raise, and to what felicity he could exalt, those who were once captives of Satan, slaves of sin, and heirs of death and hell! happy souls! who cordially embrace the divine testimony which is given in the gospel concerning him, and which shall be confirmed, with a glorious accomplishment of it to all the faithful, in the great day. What thanks will be eternally due to God on their behalf! and with what patience, faith, and hope, may we endure all tribulations which befal us here below, in view and prospect of this blessed day, when the righteous God will, according to his promise, and the merit of his Son, make rich amends to his saints for all their sufferings for him! May grace and peace be multiplied to them from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! May all the good pleasure of God's goodness, and the work of faith, be fulfilled in them with power, by perfecting all that concerns them, in order to their glorifying the name of Christ in this world, and their being glorified with him in the world to come, according to the riches of the Father and Son's grace, as revealed in the gospel.
REFLECTIONS.-1st, The apostle joins the same persons with himself in the inscription of this epistle as in the former. Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians, in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. He expresses his thankfulness to God on their behalf. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, and gratefully to acknowledge his blessings and mercies, especially those spiritual blessings, which he hath so richly bestowed upon you, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, in fuller discoveries of the gospel, and more unshaken confidence in the promises, as is evident in all the blessed fruits of grace and holiness which flourish among you; and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth, the sure proof of your faith unfeigned. Note; (1.) They, who are most advanced in grace, have still need to pray, Increase our faith. (2.) Where genuine faith is, every other grace must follow; for it worketh by love.
2. Their eminence in grace gave him occasion to boast of them to other churches. So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God; as for your other gifts and graces, so especially for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure, with holy intrepidity, unshaken perseverance, and calm submission, bearing up under every trial.
3. The sufferings of the faithful people of God would soon end in eternal rest, and the authors of them suffer condign vengeance; which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, who will soon make his impartial justice to appear; and even now it is your honour, and wisely ordered by him, that such tribulation should befal you, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer, conformed thus to your Head, and made meet to reign with him; seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you, who shall shortly feel the arm of an avenging judge; but to you who are troubled, rest with us, even the present rest in God, into which they who believe do now enter; and soon that eternal rest will come, which remaineth for the faithful people of God, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, in all the pomp of tremendous majesty; in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, whether idolatrous Gentiles and unbelieving Jews, or impenitent sinners of every kind, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; driven into eternal banishment from his blissful abode, and suffering in body and soul the vengeance of eternal fire: when, in that happy day for his faithful people, he shall come to be glorified in his saints, whose salvation shall then be fully accomplished; and to be admired in all them that believe, being henceforward the subject of their everlasting adoration, love, and praise:-because our testimony among you was believed, and you will, if you perseveringly cleave to Christ, reap the blessed fruits of your faith in that great day. Note; (1.) There is a day at hand, when the persecutors and the persecuted will have impartial justice done them at the bar of God. (2.) The prospect of that tribunal should comfort us under all the unjust reproaches, revilings, and tribulations which we now endure. (3.) The appearing of the Lord will be terrible to the ungodly and the sinner, whose neglect of God and his gospel will then be avenged; when wrath to the uttermost shall overtake them, and, driven with confusion from the presence of an angry Judge, the jaws of hell shall yawn to receive them; and, deep ingulphed in everlasting burnings, they shall sink, and never rise up again. (4.) Christ will be the eternal object of his faithful people's admiration; and while with wonder they trace from first to last the amazing dispensations of his grace, their hearts will glow with rapture, and their tongues be filled with never-ending praise.
2nd, In the prospect of this day the apostle redoubled his supplications for them. Wherefore also we pray always for you:
1. That our God, in whose favour and love we have a glorious interest, would count you worthy of this calling; enabling you to walk as becomes your vocation, and bring you to the possession of the glory that he proposes to you; and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, carrying on and completing in you the salvation which he hath begun; and the work of faith with power, strengthening this radical grace, that all the rest may flourish with greater vigour.
2. He prays, That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, by your exemplary conduct and conversation; and ye in him, as now united to him by faith, through the operations of his Holy Spirit; according to the grace of our God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who hath bestowed it on you for this great end, that his glorious name might be for ever exalted, and all the praise of your salvation be ascribed to him alone, and you yourselves made meet for the inheritance of the saints.
