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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)
繁體中文
提摩太的使命（主後 51 年）
¹ 我們既不能再忍，就願意獨自留在雅典，
² 打發我們的兄弟提摩太——也就是神的執事、我們在基督福音上同勞的——前去，為要在你們的信心上堅固你們，勸慰你們，
³ 免得有人被這些患難搖動；因為你們自己知道，我們受患難原是命定的。
⁴ 我們在你們那裏的時候，預先告訴你們，我們必受患難，以後果然應驗了，你們也知道。
⁵ 為此，我既不能再忍，就打發人去，要曉得你們的信心如何，恐怕那誘惑人的到底誘惑了你們，我們的勞苦歸於徒然。
在這些話中，使徒說明了他為何打發提摩太到帖撒羅尼迦人那裏去。他雖然不能親自前往，但他的愛使他不能不打發提摩太前去。提摩太對他極有用處，他本難以缺少他；然而為著他們的益處，保羅情願*獨自留在雅典。*請注意，那些不能為著堅立並福祉自己的羊群而在許多事上克己的傳道人，並沒有按當盡的本分看重羊群的堅立與福祉。請留意，
一、他對提摩太的稱呼（1Th 3:2）：*我們打發我們的兄弟提摩太。*在別處他稱他為兒子；此處他稱他為兄弟。提摩太在年歲上是保羅的晚輩，在恩賜與恩典上不及他，在職事上也居較低的等次：因為保羅是使徒，提摩太不過是傳福音的；然而保羅稱他為兄弟。這是使徒謙卑的明證，也表明他樂意尊榮提摩太，把他推薦給眾教會。他又稱他為神的執事。請注意，基督福音的執事就是神的執事，為要在人間推進神的國。他又稱他為自己在基督福音上同勞的。請注意，福音的執事當看自己是主葡萄園中的工人；他們的職分既尊榮又艱辛，卻是善工。*這話是可信的：人若想要得監督的職分，就是羨慕善工，*提前 3:1。並且傳道人當彼此相看，彼此堅固對方的手，不當彼此爭競較力（這會妨礙他們的工作），而當齊心努力推進他們所承擔的大工，就是傳揚並宣講基督的福音，並勸人接受、領受，且照之而行。
二、保羅打發提摩太的目的與計劃：*為要在你們的信心上堅固你們，勸慰你們，*1Th 3:2。保羅既領他們歸信基督，如今就願他們得著堅固與安慰，在他們對基督教所作的揀選上得以堅定，並在信仰的認信與實行上得著安慰。請注意，我們越得安慰，就必越得堅固，因為當我們在神的道路上尋得喜樂，就必因此受激勵而繼續前行、堅忍其中。使徒的用意是要在信心上堅固並安慰帖撒羅尼迦人——論到他們信心的對象，即福音的真理，特別是耶穌基督乃世人的救主，如此有智慧有良善、如此有大能且信實，他們大可倚靠祂——論到信心的賞賜，那足以補償他們一切的損失，報答他們一切的勞苦。
三、推動保羅為此目的打發提摩太的動機，即一種敬虔的恐懼或戒慎，惟恐他們從對基督的信上被搖動，1Th 3:3。他願他們當中沒有一人、沒有任何人，在心思上被搖動或震撼，不致在信仰上背道或動搖。然而，
- 他覺察到有危險，並懼怕其後果。
（1.）有危險，[一]因著為福音的緣故所受的患難與逼迫，1Th 3:3。這些帖撒羅尼迦人不能不看見使徒和福音的傳道人所遭遇的患難，這可能使他們跌倒；並且凡認信福音的人都受逼迫，無疑這些帖撒羅尼迦人自己也受了苦。[二]因著那誘惑者的詭詐與惡毒。使徒恐怕那誘惑者用盡一切法子誘惑了他們，1Th 3:5。魔鬼是詭詐而不知疲倦的誘惑者，尋找機會欺騙毀滅我們，利用一切機會攻擊我們，無論在順境或逆境中；他攻擊那些在患難中的人，往往屢屢得手。他常常因著宗教的認信者所遭受的苦難，使人心對宗教存有偏見。因此我們有理由對自己和別人存戒慎之心，惟恐被他所網羅。
（2.）使徒所懼怕的後果，就是他的勞苦歸於徒然。若誘惑者誘惑了他們，勝過了他們，使他們從信上被搖動，情形就必如此。他們便要失去自己所作成的，使徒也要失去他所勞苦的。請注意，魔鬼的目的乃是要攔阻傳揚福音的善果與功效。他若不能攔阻傳道人在話語和教訓上勞苦，就必盡其所能攔阻他們勞苦的果效。又請注意，忠心的傳道人極其關切他們勞苦的果效。沒有人情願徒然勞苦；傳道人不願白白花費自己的力量、心血和時間。
- 為防止這危險及其惡果，使徒告訴他們，他打發提摩太是何等費心，（1.）要提醒他們先前曾告訴過他們關於必受患難的事（1Th 3:4），他說（1Th 3:3），*我們受患難原是命定的，就是命定受苦難。神的旨意與定旨正是我們進入神的國必須經歷許多艱難。他們的患難與逼迫並非偶然臨到，不單是出於宗教仇敵的怒氣與惡毒，更是出於神的命定。事情的發生不過是照神所定的，他們也知道他早已告訴他們必如此；所以他們不當以為希奇，既已預先警告，就當預先防備。請注意，使徒們決不以在宗教中將享屬世興旺的期望來奉承人，反而坦白告訴他們，必須指望在肉身中受苦。他們在此效法了他們的大主人、我們信心的創始者。此外，當他們察覺所遭遇的不過正如先前所預言的，這也能堅定他們的信心。（2.）要了解他們的信心，好讓他告知使徒們，他們在一切苦難中是否仍堅定，他們的信心是否失落；因為他們的信心若不失落，就必能站穩抵擋那誘惑者和他一切的誘惑：他們的信心要成為籐牌，可以滅盡那惡者一切火箭，*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.
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The Mission of Timothy (51 AD)
繁體中文
提摩太的使命（主後 51 年）
⁶ 但提摩太剛才從你們那裏回來，將你們信心和愛心的好消息報給我們，又說你們常常記念我們，切切地想見我們，如同我們想見你們一樣。
⁷ 所以弟兄們，我們在一切困苦患難之中，因著你們的信心就得了安慰。
⁸ 你們若靠主站立得穩，我們就活了。
⁹ 我們在神面前，因著你們甚是喜樂，為這一切喜樂，可用何等的感謝為你們報答神呢？
¹⁰ 我們晝夜切切地祈求，要見你們的面，補滿你們信心的不足。
此處我們看到保羅因提摩太帶著帖撒羅尼迦人的好消息回來而大得安慰，其中我們可以留意，
一、提摩太對他們所作的好報告，1Th 3:6。毫無疑問，他是這好消息的樂意使者。關乎他們的信心，就是關乎他們在信仰上的堅定，他們在心思上沒有動搖，也沒有偏離福音的認信。他們的愛也繼續存留；他們對福音和福音傳道人的愛。因為他們對使徒有美好而親切的記念，且是持續不斷的、常常的。使徒的名字對他們十分寶貴，想到他們、想到自己從他們所領受的，也十分珍貴，以致他們*切切地想見他們，*並要從他們領受些屬靈的恩賜；並且這愛是雙向的，因為使徒也同樣切望見他們。傳道人與百姓之間有這樣彼此的愛，實在是美事。這有助於促進宗教和福音的果效。世人恨他們，所以他們當彼此相愛。
二、使徒因這關乎他們的好報告而得的極大安慰和滿足（1Th 3:7,8）：*所以弟兄們，我們在一切困苦患難之中，就因你們得了安慰。*使徒認為這關乎他們的好消息足以補償他所遭遇的一切患難。當他看見自己事奉的美好果效、並自己所領歸基督教之人的堅定時，他要忍受患難、逼迫、或外面的爭戰，就容易得多了；而當他明白他們的信心和信心的堅忍時，他先前因內心的恐懼——惟恐自己徒然勞苦——而有的焦慮，如今已大體消散。這使使徒重新得著生命與活力，使他在主的工作上更加奮發活躍。這樣他不僅得了安慰，更是大大喜樂：*你們若靠主站立得穩，我們就活了，*1Th 3:8。若宗教的認信者不穩定，或成了背道者，這對使徒們而言將是致命的打擊；而他們的堅定卻是最令人鼓舞的事。
三、這事的果效是向神為他們感恩並代禱。請留意，1. 使徒何等感恩，1Th 3:9。他滿有喜樂，滿有讚美和感恩。我們最喜樂的時候，也當最感恩。我們所喜樂的事，就當為之感恩。這就是在神面前喜樂，使我們的喜樂成為屬靈的。保羅說話的口氣，好像不知如何表達他對神的感恩，或他為他們的緣故所有的喜樂和歡欣。但他很謹慎，不讓神失去他在朋友的好處中所領受之安慰的榮耀。他的心因對他們的愛並對神的感恩而擴大。他情願盡力表達這愛和感恩。至於向神感恩，這在現今的狀態中尤其十分不完全；但當我們到了天上，必能比現在更好地獻上這工。2. 他晝夜為他們禱告（1Th 3:10），早晚、或極其頻繁地在白日的事務中或夜間的睡眠中，舉起他的心向神禱告。我們當這樣不住地禱告。並且保羅的禱告是懇切的禱告。他切切地祈求，在他的懇求中十分殷勤。請注意，我們最感恩的時候，總當獻上禱告；我們為之感恩的人，仍需我們為之禱告。我們最喜樂的人、我們最大的安慰，在這充滿試探和不完全的世界中，必須成為我們不斷的掛念。他們的信心仍有所不足；保羅願這不足得以補滿，並願見他們的面，為要如此。請注意，（1.）最好的人在信心上也有所欠缺——若不是在信心的內容上（有些奧祕或道理他們尚未充分認識或相信），就是在信心的清晰和確定上（仍有一些殘留的黑暗和疑惑），或至少在信心的果效和運用上（這些還不夠顯著、不夠完全）。（2.）話語和聖禮的傳講事工是有助益的，當羨慕並善用，以補滿我們信心上的不足。
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.
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Apostolic Prayer (51 AD)
繁體中文
使徒的禱告（主後 51 年）
¹¹ 願神我們的父和我們的主耶穌基督，給我們開路到你們那裏去。
¹² 又願主叫你們彼此相愛的心，並愛眾人的心，都能增長、充足，如同我們愛你們一樣；
¹³ 好堅固你們的心，使你們在我們父神面前，聖潔無可指摘，等到我們主耶穌同祂眾聖徒來的時候。
在這些話中，我們看到使徒懇切的禱告。他願在帖撒羅尼迦人進一步的益處上成為器皿；而在相隔遙遠時，惟一能如此作的途徑，就是為他們禱告，連同寫信或打發人去。他願他們的信心得以完全，而這他並不能作其直接的原因或創始者；因為他並不妄稱管轄他們的信心，也不自稱擁有賜信心的權柄，所以他以為他們禱告作為結束。請留意，
一、他向誰禱告，即神和基督。禱告是宗教敬拜的一部分，而一切的宗教敬拜唯獨歸於神。這裏的禱告是向神——就是父、我們的父——獻上；也是向基督——就是我們的主耶穌基督——獻上。所以我們的主耶穌基督是神，正如神我們的父是神一樣。禱告當獻給神作我們的父。基督如此教導門徒禱告；兒子的靈也如此激動他們禱告，使他們呼喊*阿爸父。*禱告不僅當奉耶穌基督的名獻上，更當直接獻給耶穌基督自己，作為我們的主和我們的救主。
二、他為自己和他的同工，並為帖撒羅尼迦人求甚麼。
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他求自己和同工能照神的旨意順利前往他們那裏，求他們的道路蒙引導到他們那裏，1Th 3:11。前往這裏或那裏的旅程，人會以為完全取決於人自己的心意，又完全在他的能力之內，所以保羅大可不必為此向神禱告。但使徒知道*我們生活、動作、存留都在乎祂，*我們一切的行動作為都倚靠神，一如我們生命和存在的延續也倚靠祂；神聖的護理安排我們一切的事務，我們在其中亨通也是因著這護理；神我們的父引導並安排祂的兒女當去何處、當作何事；我們的主耶穌基督以特別的方式引導祂忠心傳道人的腳步——他們就是祂右手所拿的星。我們當在一切所行的事上承認神，祂必指引我們的路。
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他為帖撒羅尼迦人的興旺禱告。無論他是否有機會到他們那裏，他都懇切為他們靈魂的興旺禱告。有兩件事他為他們所求，也是我們當為自己和朋友所求的：——（1.）願他們在愛心上增多充足（1Th 3:12），彼此相愛，並愛眾人。請注意，彼此相愛是所有基督徒當盡的本分，不僅要彼此相愛，更要有慈善的心懷、關切眾人的福祉。愛是從神來的，它既成全了律法，也成全了福音。提摩太帶來了他們信心的好消息，然而其中仍有所不足；也帶來了他們愛心的消息，然而使徒仍求這愛心增多充足。請注意，我們有理由渴望在每一樣恩典上長進，也需要聖靈的感動才能在恩典上長進；而得著這長進的途徑就是禱告。我們不僅為起初交在我們手裏的本錢感謝神，也為它的增益感謝神。在我們的禱告之外，還要加上努力。為激發帖撒羅尼迦人的這努力，使徒再次提到他對他們的愛——他那豐盛的愛。我們越蒙人所愛，就越當滿有深情。（2.）願他們在聖潔上得堅固、無可指摘，1Th 3:13。這屬靈的福分被提及，作為愛心增多充足的果效：*好堅固你們的心。*請注意，我們越在恩典上長進增多——特別在愛心的恩典上——就越得堅固確立。又請注意，聖潔是所有願進天堂之人所必需的，在其中我們必須無可指摘；就是說，我們在凡事上當如此行，以致毫不違背我們對聖潔所作的認信。我們所當切慕的，是心思在聖潔上得堅固，在神面前蒙保守，直到我們主耶穌基督降臨的時候；並當在神——就是父——面前無可指摘，如今無可指摘，並在主耶穌同祂眾聖徒降臨時，在祂榮耀的寶座前被獻為無瑕無疵。請注意，[一]主耶穌必定再來，且在榮耀中降臨。[二]祂降臨時，祂的聖徒必與祂同來：他們要與祂一同顯現在榮耀裏。[三]那時聖潔的卓越與必要都要顯明，因為沒有聖潔，沒有人的心得堅固，也沒有人能無可指摘、或避免永遠的定罪。
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，使徒進一步表明他對帖撒羅尼迦人的愛，提醒他們自己曾打發提摩太到他們那裏去，並說明他這樣作的用意與動機，1Th 3:1-5。他又告訴他們，提摩太帶著關乎他們的好消息回來時，他何等大得安慰，1Th 3:6-10。最後以為他們懇切的禱告作結，1Th 3:11-13。