WHAT IS IT OUR LORD DESIRES FROM HIS CHILDREN? WHAT DEPTH OF LOVE IS HE ASKING TO BE SHARED? AND MOST OF ALL WHO IS IT WE ARE TO SHARE IT WITH? IN THIS GREETING TO ALL, I SUGGEST WE HAVE FOUND THE ANSWER TO  THESE QUESTIONS!

SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION!

2 Thessalonians 1:2 KJV
Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION!

How Paul’s esteem is expressed towards those he is addressing in his writings. He glorified God on their behalf: We are bound to thank God always for you brethren, as it is meet, 2 Thessalonians 1:3. He chose rather to speak of what was praiseworthy in them in a way of thanksgiving to God than by commendation of them; and, as what he mentions was a matter of his rejoicing, he accounted it a matter of thanksgiving, and it was meet or fit it should be so, for we are bound, and it is our duty, to be thankful to God for all the good that is found in us or others: and it not only is an act of kindness to our fellow-christians, but our duty, to thank God on their behalf.

COMMENTARY OFFERED BY MATTHEW HENRY (1662–1714).

The apostle never flattered his friends, but he took pleasure in commending them, and speaking well of them, to the glory of God and for the excitement and encouragement of others.

Paul did not glory in his own gifts, nor in his labour among them, but he gloried in the grace of God which was bestowed upon them, and so his glorying was good, because all the commendation he gave to them, and the pleasure he took himself, centered in the praise and glory of God.

OBSERVATION!

Paul gives thanks for their faith, love, and patience; here he gives thanks for the increase of all those graces, that they were not only true Christians, but growing Christians.

Note, Where there is the truth of grace there will be increase of it. The path of the just is as the shining light, which shines more and more unto the perfect day. And where there is the increase of grace God must have all the glory of it. We are as much indebted to him for the improvement of grace, and the progress of that good work, as we are for the first work of grace and the very beginning of it.

We may be tempted to think that though when we were bad we could not make ourselves good, yet when we are good we can easily make ourselves better; but we have as much dependence on the grace of God for increasing the grace we have as for planting grace when we had it not.

Where faith grows love will abound, for faith works by love; and not only the charity of some few of them, but of every one to each other, did abound.

COMMENTARY OFFERED BY MATTHEW HENRY (1662-1714)

In every place in the Christian world there are some that call on the name of Christ. God hath a remnant in all places; and we should have a common concern for and hold communion with all that call on Christ’s name.

But this advantage we have by the gospel, that we are directed how to obtain that peace from God: it is in and by Christ.

Sinners can have no peace with God, nor any good from him, but through Christ. 

We are told what must qualify us for this peace; namely, grace: first grace, then peace. God first reconciles sinners to himself, before he bestows his peace upon them.

CLOSING OBSERVATION!

As I researched further it was very plain to recognize that it is one branch of the communion of saints to give thanks to God mutually for our gifts, graces, and comforts. Paul gives thanks, for their conversion to the faith of Christ: For the grace which was given all through Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:4. He is the great procurer and disposer of the favours of God.

Those who are united to him by faith, and made to partake of his Spirit and merits, are the objects of divine favour. God loves them, bears them hearty good-will, and bestows on them his fatherly smiles and blessings. For the abundance of their spiritual gifts.

Robert a humble obedient servant to Yeshua and his Father in heaven Yahewa. And all of God’s children say Amen and Amen in the name of Jehovah Shalom our provider of peace within our lives!