In these words St. Paul assures the Thessalonians, that although he could not come to them, that yet he prayed fervently for them: We pray always for you. The faithful ministers of Christ can as soon forget themselves as their people in their prayers to God.

Observe next, what he prayed for, on their behalf,--

1. That God would count them worthy, that is, fit and meet for his calling; that is, for the fore-mentioned glory, which they were called to the expectation of, for they were already called; and therefore calling here must denote that unto which they were called, even the kingdom of glory.

2. That in order to this, God would fulfil, fully perform and accomplish, his whole purpose, here called his pleasure, and the pleasure of his goodness; to show that nothing but his own goodness was the cause of his own purpose.

3. He prays that God by his own power would strengthen the work of faith in them. And the work of faith with power.

Where note, 1. That we are not only saved by God's good pleasure, but by faith.

2. That there is no saving faith, but what is. working faith.

3. That faith is wrought by. wonderful power, which doth produce wonderful effects.

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Old Testament