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英文原文
In this chapter the apostle gives further evidence of his love to the Thessalonians, reminding them of his sending Timothy to them, with the mention of his design therein and his inducements so to do, 1Th 3:1-5. He acquaints them also with his great satisfaction at the return of Timothy, with good tidings concerning them, 1Th 3:6-10. And concludes with fervent prayer for them, 1Th 3:11-13.
1-5
The Mission of Timothy (51 AD)
简体中文
差遣提摩太（主后51年）
¹ 我们既不能再忍，就愿意独自等在雅典，
² 打发我们的兄弟、神的执事、在基督福音上与我们同工的提摩太前去，为要坚固你们，并在你们的信心中安慰你们，
³ 免得有人被这些患难所摇动；因为你们自己知道，我们受患难原是命定的。
⁴ 我们在你们那里的时候，预先告诉你们，我们必受患难，以后果然应验了，你们也知道。
⁵ 为此，我既不能再忍，就打发人去，要晓得你们的信心如何，恐怕那诱惑人的到底诱惑了你们，叫我们的劳苦归于徒然。
在这些话中，使徒述说了他差遣提摩太到帖撒罗尼迦人那里的经过。他虽然自己不能前去，然而他的爱如此之大，使他不由得要差提摩太去。提摩太对他虽然十分有用，本是他所不能缺少的，然而为了他们的益处，保罗宁愿『独自等在雅典』。请注意，那些不肯在许多事上舍己、为要建立信徒并使信徒得益处的牧者，并不真正看重信徒的建立与福祉。当观察：
一、他对提摩太的评价（帖前3:2）：『我们打发我们的兄弟提摩太。』在别处他称提摩太为儿子，在这里却称他为兄弟。提摩太年龄比保罗小，恩赐与恩典也较逊，在事奉的职分上也较低：因为保罗是使徒，而提摩太只是传福音的；然而保罗称他为兄弟。这显出使徒的谦卑，也表明他有意尊荣提摩太，将他举荐给众教会。他又称提摩太为『神的执事』。请注意，基督福音的执事就是神的执事，要在人中间促进神的国。他又称提摩太为『在基督福音上与我们同工的』。请注意，福音的执事当看自己为主葡萄园中的工人；他们的职分尊贵，工作艰苦，却是善工——『这话是可信的：人若想要得监督的职分，就是羡慕善工』（提前3:1）。牧者也当彼此相待，坚固彼此的手，不可彼此争竞（这会妨碍工作），而当同心合力推进他们所承担的大工，即传扬基督的福音，并劝勉人接受、持守，且与福音相称地生活。
二、保罗差遣提摩太的目的：『为要坚固你们，并在你们的信心中安慰你们』（帖前3:2）。保罗已领他们归入基督的信仰，如今他切望他们能得着坚固和安慰，使他们在所选定的基督教信仰上得着坚定，并在信仰的认信与实行上得着安慰。请注意，我们越得安慰，就越得坚固；因为当我们在神的道路上得着喜乐时，便因此受激励，愿意在其中继续并坚忍。使徒的心意是要在他们的信心里坚固、安慰帖撒罗尼迦人——论到他们信仰的对象，即福音的真理，特别是耶稣基督是世人的救主，又智慧、又良善、又大有能力且信实可靠，使他们可以信靠他——也论到信仰的赏赐，这赏赐足以弥补他们一切的损失，并酬报他们一切的劳苦。
三、保罗为着这个目的差遣提摩太的动机，乃是一种敬虔的畏惧或谨慎，恐怕他们从基督的信仰上被摇动（帖前3:3）。他不愿他们中间有任何人被摇动或心里动摇，不愿他们在信仰上跌倒或动摇。然而：
- 他认为有危险，并惧怕其后果。
（1）确有危险。[一] 因着『为福音的患难与逼迫』（帖前3:3）。这些帖撒罗尼迦人不可能不知道使徒和福音的传道人所遭遇的患难，这或许会绊跌他们；而且凡认信福音的人都受逼迫，无疑帖撒罗尼迦人自己也受了苦。[二] 因着那诱惑者的诡诈与恶毒。使徒恐怕那诱惑者『以任何方式』诱惑了他们（帖前3:5）。魔鬼是诡诈又不知疲倦的诱惑者，伺机欺骗毁灭我们，在顺境与逆境中都寻找一切可乘之机；并且它常常在受苦之人身上得手。它屡屡因信徒所要受的苦而在人心中挑起对信仰的偏见。因此我们有理由为自己和他人谨慎，免得被它网罗。
（2）使徒所惧怕的后果，是怕他的劳苦归于徒然。倘若诱惑者诱惑了他们并且得胜，使他们从信仰上摇动，结果就会如此。他们将要失去所已经得着的，使徒也要失去他所劳苦的。请注意，魔鬼的目的正是要拦阻福音传讲的善果与功效。它若不能拦阻牧者在道理上劳苦，就必尽可能拦阻他们劳苦的功效。也请注意，忠心的牧者十分挂念自己劳苦的功效。没有人愿意白白劳苦，牧者也不愿耗尽自己的力量、辛劳与时间却毫无所得。
- 为防范这一危险及其恶果，使徒告诉他们，他差遣提摩太时是怎样的用心：（1）要使他们想起他先前对他们所说的关于『必受患难』的话（帖前3:4）；他在帖前3:3说『我们受患难原是命定的』，即命定受苦。神的旨意与定规正是『我们进入神的国，必须经历许多艰难』。他们的患难与逼迫并非偶然，并非仅是出于宗教仇敌的怒气与恶毒，乃是出于『神的命定』。事情的成就不过是照着神所定的，他们也知道他先前已告诉他们这些事必将如此；所以他们不应以为奇怪，并且既已预先受警戒，便当预先装备自己。请注意，使徒们决不奉承人，叫他们对宗教里属世的兴旺存指望；相反，他们坦白地告诉他们，必须预料到在肉身中要受苦难。在这件事上，他们效法了那为我们信心创始成终的大主的榜样。再者，当他们看见所遭遇的正是先前所预言的，这反可成为他们信心的印证。（2）要察知他们的信心，好让提摩太告诉使徒们，他们在所受的一切苦难中是否仍然坚定，他们的信心是否失落；因为若他们的信心不失落，他们就能抵挡那诱惑者和它的一切诱惑：他们的信心要作『盾牌，可以灭尽那恶者一切火箭』（弗6:16）。
英文原文
The Mission of Timothy (51 AD)
¹ Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
² And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
³ That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
⁴ For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
⁵ For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
In these words the apostle gives an account of his sending Timothy to the Thessalonians. Though he was hindered from going to them himself, yet his love was such that he could not forbear sending Timothy to them. Though Timothy was very useful to him, and he could not well spare him, yet Paul was content, for their good, to be left alone at Athens. Note, Those ministers do not duly value the establishment and welfare of their people who cannot deny themselves in many things for that end. Observe,
I. The character he gives of Timothy (1Th 3:2): We sent Timotheus, our brother. Elsewhere he calls him his son; here he calls him brother. Timothy was Paul's junior in age, his inferior in gifts and graces, and of a lower rank in the ministry: for Paul was an apostle, and Timothy but an evangelist; yet Paul calls him brother. This was an instance of the apostle's humility, and showed his desire to put honour upon Timothy and to recommend him to the esteem of the churches. He calls him also a minister of God. Note, Ministers of the gospel of Christ are ministers of God, to promote the kingdom of God among men. He calls him also his fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ. Note, Ministers of the gospel must look upon themselves as labourers in the Lord's vineyard; they have an honourable office and hard work, yet a good work. This is a true saying, If any man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work, 1Ti 3:1. And ministers should look upon one another, and strengthen one another's hands, not strive and contend one with another (which will hinder their work), but strive together to carry on the great work they are engaged in, namely, to preach and publish the gospel of Christ, and to persuade people to embrace and entertain it and live suitably thereto.
II. The end and design why Paul sent Timothy: To establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith, 1Th 3:2. Paul had converted them to the Christian faith, and now he was desirous that they might be confirmed and comforted, that they might confirmed in the choice they had made of the Christian religion, and comforted in the profession and practice of it. Note, The more we are comforted, the more we shall be confirmed, because, when we find pleasure in the ways of God, we shall thereby be engaged to continue and persevere therein. The apostle's design was to establish and comfort the Thessalonians concerning their faith,—concerning the object of their faith, namely, the truths of the gospel, and particularly that Jesus Christ was the Saviour of the world, and so wise and good, so powerful and faithful, that they might rely upon him,—concerning the recompence of faith, which was more than sufficient to balance all their losses and reward all their labours.
III. The motive inducing Paul to send Timothy for this end, namely, a godly fear or jealousy, lest they should be moved from the faith of Christ, 1Th 3:3. He was desirous that no man, no one among them, should be moved or shaken in mind, that they should not apostatize or waver in the faith. And yet,
1. He apprehended there was danger, and feared the consequence.
(1.) There was danger, [1.] By reason of affliction and persecution for the sake of the gospel, 1Th 3:3. These Thessalonians could not but perceive what afflictions the apostles and preachers of the gospel met with, and this might possibly stumble them; and also those who made profession of the gospel were persecuted, and without doubt these Thessalonians themselves were afflicted. [2.] By reason of the tempter's subtlety and malice. The apostle was afraid lest by any means the tempter had tempted them, 1Th 3:5. The devil is a subtle and unwearied tempter, who seeks an opportunity to beguile and destroy us, and takes all advantages against us, both in a time of prosperity and adversity; and he has often been successful in his attacks upon persons under afflictions. He has often prejudiced the minds of men against religion on account of the sufferings its professors are exposed to. We have reason therefore to be jealous over ourselves and others, lest we be ensnared by him.
(2.) The consequence the apostle feared was lest his labour should be in vain. And thus it would have been, if the tempter had tempted them, and prevailed against them, to move them from the faith. They would have lost what they had wrought, and the apostle would have lost what he laboured for. Note, It is the devil's design to hinder the good fruit and effect of the preaching of the gospel. If he cannot hinder ministers from labouring in the word and doctrine, he will, if he be able, hinder them of the success of their labours. Note also, Faithful ministers are much concerned about the success of their labours. No one would willingly labour in vain; and ministers are loth to spend their strength, and pains, and time, for nought.
2. To prevent this danger, with its bad consequence, the apostle tells them what care he took in sending Timothy, (1.) To put them in mind of what he had told them before concerning suffering tribulation (1Th 3:4), he says (1Th 3:3), We are appointed thereunto, that is, unto afflictions. So is the will and purpose of God that through many afflictions we must enter into his kingdom. Their troubles and persecutions did not come by chance, not merely from the wrath and malice of the enemies of religion, but by the appointment of God. The event only came to pass according as God had determined, and they knew he had told them before it would be; so that they should not think it strange, and, being fore-warned, they should be fore-armed. Note, The apostles were so far from flattering people with an expectation of worldly prosperity in religion that, on the contrary, they told them plainly they must count upon trouble in the flesh. And herein they followed the example of their great Master, the author or our faith. Besides, it might prove a confirmation of their faith, when they perceived that it only happened to them as was predicted before. (2.) To know their faith, that so he might inform the apostles whether they remained stedfast under all their sufferings, whether their faith failed or not, because, if their faith did not fail, they would be able to stand their ground against the tempter and all his temptations: their faith would be a shield, to defend them against all the fiery darts of the wicked, Eph 6:16.
6-10
The Mission of Timothy (51 AD)
简体中文
差遣提摩太（主后51年）
⁶ 但提摩太刚才从你们那里回来，将你们信心和爱心的好消息报给我们，又说你们常常记念我们，切切地想见我们，如同我们想见你们一样。
⁷ 所以弟兄们，我们在一切困苦患难之中，因着你们的信心就得了安慰。
⁸ 你们若靠主站立得稳，我们就活了。
⁹ 我们在神我们的父面前，因着你们何等欢聚，为你们的缘故极其喜乐，可用何等的感谢为你们报答神呢？
¹⁰ 我们昼夜切切地祈求，要见你们的面，补满你们信心的不足。
在此我们看到，提摩太带着帖撒罗尼迦人的好消息回来时，保罗心中极大的满足。从中我们可以观察到：
一、提摩太关于他们的好报告（帖前3:6）。毫无疑问，他是甘心作这好信息的使者。『论到他们的信心』，就是论到他们在信仰上的坚定——他们没有在心里动摇，也没有偏离福音的认信。『他们的爱心』也仍然长存——他们对福音以及对福音执事的爱心。因为他们对使徒存着又好又亲切的记念，而且是『常常』如此。使徒的名字在他们心中十分宝贵，他们对使徒的思念，以及他们从使徒所领受的，都十分珍贵，以致他们『切切地想再见他们』，并要从他们领受些属灵的恩赐；而且这份爱并非单方面的，因为使徒也同样渴望见他们。牧者与信徒之间有这样的彼此相爱，实在是美事。这能促进信仰，也有助于福音的兴旺。世人既恨他们，他们就当彼此相爱。
二、使徒因这关乎他们的好报告而得着的大安慰与满足（帖前3:7、8）：『所以弟兄们，我们在一切困苦患难之中，就因着你们得了安慰。』使徒认为，关乎他们的好消息足以抵消他所遭遇的一切艰难。当他看见自己事奉的美好果效，并看见他所带领归信基督的人坚定不变时，从外而来的患难、逼迫或争战，对他而言都容易忍受了；而他因内心的恐惧——恐怕自己是徒劳——而产生的内心忧愁，如今在知道他们的信心及其恒久之后，也大体上消散了。这使使徒重新得着生命与活力，在主的工作中奋发踊跃。这样，他不仅得了安慰，更是大大喜乐：『你们若靠主站立得稳，我们就活了』（帖前3:8）。倘若信仰的认信者动摇，或成了背道之人，这对使徒们而言将是致命的打击；而他们的坚定，没有比这更令人鼓舞的了。
三、由此生发的果效，就是为他们的缘故向神献上感恩与祷告。当观察：1. 使徒是何等感恩（帖前3:9）。他满心喜乐，也满心赞美与感谢。我们最欢乐的时候，也当最感恩。我们为何事喜乐，就当为何事感谢。这就是『在我们的神面前』喜乐，使我们的喜乐成为属灵的喜乐。保罗说话，仿佛不知怎样表达他对神的感谢，也不知怎样表达他为他们而有的喜乐和欢欣。但他留心不让神失去他在朋友的好处上所得之安慰当得的荣耀。他的心因对他们的爱并向神的感谢而宽广。他愿意尽其所能地将这两样都表达出来。至于向神的感谢，在现今的状态中尤其不完全；但当我们到了天上，必能比现在更好地作这工。2. 他昼夜为他们祷告（帖前3:10），早晚、或是极其频繁地在白日的繁忙或夜间的困倦中，将心举向神祷告。我们也当这样常常祷告。保罗的祷告是恳切的祷告。他『切切地』祈求，在恳求中极其认真。请注意，当我们最感恩时，也总要专心祷告；我们为之感谢的人，也仍需要我们为之代求。我们所最喜爱、为我们最大安慰的人，在这充满试探与不完全的世上，必须是我们常常挂念的对象。他们的信心中仍有所缺欠；保罗愿这缺欠得以补满，并愿为着这缘故见他们的面。请注意：（一）最好的人在他们的信心中也有所缺欠——若不是在信心的内容上（有些奥秘或教义他们尚未充分认识或相信），便是在信心的清楚与确定上（仍有一些黑暗与疑惑），或至少在信心的功效与运行上（这些还不那么显著、不那么完全）。（二）圣道与圣礼的事奉有助于补满我们信心中的缺欠，因此当切慕并善用之。
英文原文
The Mission of Timothy (51 AD)
⁶ But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
⁷ Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
⁸ For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
⁹ For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
¹⁰ Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Here we have Paul's great satisfaction upon the return of Timothy with good tidings from the Thessalonians, in which we may observe,
I. The good report Timothy made concerning them, 1Th 3:6. Without question, he was a willing messenger of these good tidings. Concerning their faith, that is, concerning their stedfastness in the faith, that they were not shaken in mind, nor turned aside form the profession of the gospel. Their love also continued; their love to the gospel, and the ministers of the gospel. For they had a good and a kind remembrance of the apostles, and that constantly, or always. The names of the apostles were very dear to them, and the thoughts of them, and what they themselves had received from them, were very precious, insomuch that they desired greatly to see them again, and receive some spiritual gift from them; and there was no love lost, for the apostle was as desirous to see them. It is happy where there is such mutual love between minister and people. This tends to promote religion, and the success of the gospel. The world hates them, and therefore they should love one another.
II. The great comfort and satisfaction the apostle had in this good report concerning them (1Th 3:7,8): Therefore, brethren, we were comforted in all our affliction and distress. The apostle thought this good news of them was sufficient to balance all the troubles he met with. It was easy to him to bear affliction, or persecution, or fightings from without, when he found the good success of his ministry and the constancy of the converts he had made to Christianity; and his distress of mind on account of his fears within, lest he had laboured in vain, was now in a good measure over, when he understood their faith and the perseverance of it. This put new life and spirit into the apostle and made him vigorous and active in the work of the Lord. Thus he was not only comforted, but greatly rejoiced also: Now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord, 1Th 3:8. It would have been a killing thing to the apostles if the professors of religion had been unsteady, or proved apostates; whereas nothing was more encouraging than their constancy.
III. The effects of this were thankfulness and prayer to God on their behalf. Observe, 1. How thankful the apostle was, 1Th 3:9. He was full of joy, and full of praise and thanksgiving. When we are most cheerful we should be most thankful. What we rejoice in we should give thanks for. This is to rejoice before our God, to spiritualize our joy. Paul speaks as if he could not tell how to express his thankfulness to God, or his joy and rejoicing for their sakes. But he was careful God should not lose the glory of the comfort he received in the welfare of his friends. His heart was enlarged with love to them and with thanksgiving to God. He was willing to express the one and the other as well as he could. As to thankfulness to God, this especially is very imperfect in the present state; but, when we come to heaven, we shall do this work better than now we can. 2. He prayed for them night and day (1Th 3:10), evening and morning, or very frequently, in the midst of the business of the day or slumber of the night lifting up his heart to God in prayer. Thus we should pray always. And Paul's prayer was fervent prayer. He prayed exceedingly, and was earnest in his supplication. Note, When we are most thankful we should always give ourselves to prayer; and those we give thanks for have yet need to be prayed for. Those whom we most rejoice in, and who are our greatest comforts, must be our constant care, while in this world of temptation and imperfection. There was something still lacking in their faith; Paul desired that this might be perfected, and to see their face in order thereunto. Note, (1.) The best of men have something wanting in their faith, if not as to the matter of it, there being some mysteries or doctrines not sufficiently known or believed by them, yet as to the clearness and certainty of their faith, there being some remaining darkness and doubtings, or at least as to the effects and operations of it, these being not so conspicuous and perfect as they should be. And, (2.) The ministry of the word and ordinances is helpful, and to be desired and used for the perfecting of that which is lacking in our faith.
11-13
Apostolic Prayer (51 AD)
简体中文
使徒的祷告（主后51年）
¹¹ 愿神我们的父和我们的主耶稣基督，为我们开路到你们那里去。
¹² 又愿主叫你们彼此相爱的心，并爱众人的心，都能增长、充足，如同我们爱你们一样；
¹³ 好使你们当我们主耶稣同他众圣徒来的时候，在我们父神面前，心里坚固，成为圣洁，无可责备。
在这些话中，我们读到使徒恳切的祷告。他切望作器皿，使帖撒罗尼迦人得益处；而在相隔遥远之际，唯一的途径就是为他们祷告，并写信或差人带给他们。他愿他们的信心得以完全，而这并非他自己所能作为或成就的；因为他并不宣称对他们的信心拥有主权，也不自称能赐下信心，所以他以对他们祷告作结。当观察：
一、他向谁祷告，即向神与基督。祷告是敬拜的一部分，而一切敬拜唯独归于神。在这里，祷告是向神——就是父与我们父——献上；也是向基督——就是我们的主耶稣基督——献上。因此我们的主耶稣基督是神，正如神我们的父是神。祷告当向神作为我们的父献上。基督如此教导门徒祷告；圣灵——那使人得儿子名分的灵——也如此感动他们祷告，呼喊『阿爸，父』。祷告不仅当奉基督的名献上，也当向基督自己献上，因为他是我们的主、我们的救主。
二、他为自己和同工、并为帖撒罗尼迦人求什么。
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他求自己和同工能照神的旨意，亨通地到他们那里去，愿他们的路被引到他们面前（帖前3:11）。前往这地那地，似乎全在于人自己的意愿，也似乎全在自己掌握之中，以致保罗好像不必为这事祷告求问神。但使徒知道『我们生活、动作、存留，都在乎他』，知道我们在一切行动作为上，正如在生命与存留的延续上一样，都依赖神，知道神的护理安排我们一切的事，凡事亨通也是因他而来；神我们的父引导他的儿女该往何处去、该作何事，我们的主耶稣基督更以特别的方式引导他忠心的执事——就是他右手所拿的星。我们当在一切所行的事上承认神，他必指引我们的路。
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他为帖撒罗尼迦人的兴盛祷告。无论他是否有机会到他们那里，他都恳切地为他们的灵魂兴旺祷告。他为他们所求的两件事，也是我们当为自己和朋友所求的：（1）愿他们的爱心增长、充足（帖前3:12），既有彼此相爱的心，也有爱众人的心。请注意，彼此相爱是所有基督徒当尽的本分；不仅当彼此相爱，也当对众人怀着宽厚的存心，并关心他们的福祉。爱是从神来的，它既成全律法，也成全福音。提摩太曾带来他们信心的好消息，但其中仍有所缺；也带来他们爱心的消息，但使徒仍求这爱心能增长、充足。请注意，我们理当渴慕在各样的恩典上长进，也需圣灵的感动才能在恩典上长进；而得着这长进的途径乃是祷告。我们所蒙的恩，不仅在于起初交在我们手中的本钱，也在于这恩典的加增。除了祷告之外，我们还须加上努力。为激发帖撒罗尼迦人，使徒又提到自己对他们的爱——他那充足的爱。我们越蒙人所爱，就当越发亲切待人。（2）愿他们的心在圣洁上得坚固、无可责备（帖前3:13）。这里所说的属灵益处，是作为爱心增长、充足的果效而提及的：『好使……他坚固你们的心。』请注意，我们越在恩典上——尤其在爱心的恩典上——长进充足，就越在恩典中得着坚固与确立。也请注意，凡愿进天国的人都当圣洁，且在其中无可责备；意即我们在凡事上所行的，都不可丝毫违背我们所认信的圣洁。我们所渴慕的，是当着我们神——就是父——的面，使我们的心得在圣洁上得以坚固，蒙保守安稳，直到主耶稣基督降临；并叫我们现在就在神——就是父——面前无可责备，到了他荣耀的宝座前，当主耶稣同他众圣徒降临时，能被献上、毫无瑕疵。请注意：[一] 主耶稣必降临，且要在他荣耀中降临。[二] 他降临时，他的圣徒要同他一起来：『他们要与他一同显现在荣耀里』。[三] 那时，圣洁的卓越与必要都要显明，因为若没有圣洁，到那日没有一颗心得蒙坚固，也没有一人能无可责备，或能逃避永远的定罪。
英文原文
Apostolic Prayer (51 AD)
¹¹ Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
¹² And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
¹³ To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
In these words we have the earnest prayer of the apostle. He desired to be instrumental in the further benefit of the Thessalonians; and the only way to be so while at a distance was by prayer for them, together with his writing or sending to them. He desired that their faith might be perfected, which he could not be the proper cause or author of; for he pretended not to dominion over their faith, nor to have the donation of it, and he therefore concludes with prayer for them. Observe,
I. Whom he prays to, namely, God and Christ. Prayer is a part of religious worship, and all religious worship is due unto God only. Prayer is here made to God, even the Father and our Father; and also to Christ, even our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore Jesus Christ our Lord is God, even as God our Father is God. Prayer is to be offered to God as our Father. So Christ taught his disciples to pray; and so the Spirit of adoption prompts them to pray, to cry, Abba 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.
II. What he prays for, with respect to himself and his fellow-labourers, and on behalf of the Thessalonians.
1. He prays that himself and fellow-labourers might have a prosperous journey to them by the will of God, that their way might be directed to them, 1Th 3:11. The taking of a journey to this or that place, one would think, is a thing depending so much on a man's own will, and lies so much in his own power, that Paul needed not by prayer to go to God about it. But the apostle knew that in God we live, and move, and have our being, that we depend upon God in all our motions and actions, as well as for the continuance of life and being, that divine Providence orders all our affairs and that it is owing thereto if we prosper therein, that God our Father directs and orders his children whither they shall go and what they shall do, that our Lord Jesus Christ in a particular manner directs the motions of his faithful ministers, those stars which he holds in his right hand. Let us acknowledge God in all our ways, and he will direct our paths.
2. He prays for the prosperity of the Thessalonians. Whether he should have an opportunity of coming to them or not, yet he earnestly prayed for the prosperity of their souls. And there are two things he desired for them, which we should desire for ourselves and friends:—(1.) That they might increase and abound in love (1Th 3:12), in love to one another and in love to all men. Note, Mutual love is required of all Christians, and not only that they love one another, but that they also have a charitable disposition of mind and due concern for the welfare of all men. Love is of God, and is the fulfilling of the gospel as well as of the law. Timothy brought good tidings of their faith, yet something was lacking therein; and of their charity, yet the apostle prays that this might increase and abound. Note, We have reason to desire to grow in every grace, and have need of the Spirit's influence in order to growth in grace; and the way to obtain this is by prayer. We are beholden to God not only for the stock put into our hands at first, but for the improvement of it also. And to our prayer we must add endeavour. To excite this in the Thessalonians the apostle again mentions his love, his abounding love, towards them. The more we are beloved, the more affectionate we should be. (2.) That they might be established unblamable in holiness, 1Th 3:13. This spiritual benefit is mentioned as an effect of increasing and abounding love: To the end that he (the Lord) may establish your hearts. Note, The more we grow and abound in grace, and particularly in the grace of love, the more we are established and confirmed in it. Note also, Holiness is required of all those who would go to heaven, and therein we must be unblamable; that is, we must act in every thing so that we may not in the least contradict the profession we make of holiness. Our desire should be to have our hearts established in holiness before God, and be preserved safe, to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ; and that we may be unblamable before God, even the Father, now, and be presented blameless before the throne of his glory, when the Lord Jesus shall come with all his saints. Note, [1.] The Lord Jesus will certainly come, and come in his glory. [2.] When he comes, his saints will come with him: They shall appear with him in glory. [3.] Then the excellency as well as the necessity of holiness will appear, because without this no hearts shall be established at that day, nor shall any one be unblamable, or avoid everlasting condemnation.
在本章中，使徒进一步表明他对帖撒罗尼迦人的爱心，提醒他们自己曾差遣提摩太到他们那里去，并说明此举的用意与动机（帖前 3:1-5）。他又告诉他们，提摩太带回关于他们的好消息之后，自己心中何等得着安慰（帖前 3:6-10）。最后以热切的祷告为他们祈求，作为全章的结束（帖前 3:11-13）。