2 Thessalonians 1:3

“We are bound to give thanks to God always to you, brethren, even as it is meet, for that your faith growth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth”

“Are bound”: “We owe. constant debt of thanksgiving to God” (Knox). “The thought is not of giving thanks for duty's sake, but of the obligation imposed by joyfulness and relief” (Marshall p. 170). This is the type of motivation that comes from within and that is lasting. Paul did not need to be pushed to give thanks, for he already felt such an inward compulsion (Romans 1:14; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Galatians 2:20). Paul pushed himself, because he realized all that God had done for him. Do we feel "obligated" to stop whatever we are doing and express our gratitude to God? Some writers suggest that the Thessalonians felt that they were not worthy of the praise that Paul had given them in the first letter. “Paul strongly maintains that his words had not been too strong” (Morris p. 194). “To God”: Stott notes that Paul thanks God for the present faithfulness of the Thessalonians. In this manner, the Thessalonians are not flattered (for God gets the glory), but at the same time Paul is affirming them without spoiling them. When was the last time that we told another Christian, “I thank God for you”?

“Even as it is meet”: “As is only fitting” (NASV). “As it but right” (TCNT). This infers that there are times when praise and gratitude are the right and appropriate thing to offer. “Worthwhile or appropriate” (Robertson p. 41). Paul did not have the attitude that patting someone on the back will only give them. big head.

“For”: The reason why such gratitude is due. “Your faith growth exceedingly”: “Your faith thrives so well” (Knox). “Growth exceedingly”: To increase above ordinary degree. “Very vigorous growth” (Denton Lectureship p. 222). “We rejoice when. church grows in number, budget, and the size of its building. But do we rejoice when. church grows in faith and love?” (Fields pp. 166-167). Stott makes. good observation when he says, “We tend to speak of faith in static terms as something we either have or have not. ‘I wish. had your faith', we say, like ‘I wish. had your complexion', as if it were. genetic endowment. Or we complain ‘I've lost my faith' like ‘I've lost my spectacles', as if it were. commodity. But faith is. relationship of trust in God, and like all relationships is. living, dynamic, growing thing. It is similar with love. We assume rather helplessly that we either love somebody or we do not, and that we can do nothing about it. But love also, like faith, is. living relationship, whose growth we can take steps to nurture” (p. 144).

The quality of our faith (Matthew 8:26; Matthew 8:10), is something that we do have control over, and we can allow things to hinder our faith and stunt it's growth (Luke 8:14); or we can selfishly embrace ideas which destroy our faith (1 Timothy 1:19). We can equally take advantage of those things which can result in. stronger faith (Romans 10:17; James 1:2). Barclay notes, “It is the mark of the advancing Christian that he grows surer and surer of Jesus Christ every day. James Agate once said, ‘My mind is not like. bed which has to be made and remade. There are some things of which. am absolutely sure'” (p. 243).

“And the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth”: “And your mutual love, one and all, is increasing” (Mof). “Each one of you”: This congregation was practicing the Lord's new commandment (John 13:34). “Aboundeth”: To make or be more, increase, to superabound. Paul's prayer for this congregation was finding fulfillment (1 Thessalonians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:10).

Genuine abounding mutual love among Christians is emphasized so much in the Scriptures, because there are so many occasions in the life of any congregation where such love is needed to avoid division, bitterness, and internal turmoil. Love keeps us centered on God's purpose, God's goal, and His mission. Love keeps us from being ineffective and neutralized.