What thanks can we render to God That is, what sufficient thanks; for you On account of your perseverance; for all the joy
That I have thereby such unfeigned cause of rejoicing; so that the apostle's joy respecting the Thessalonians, arose first from their conversion, and next, from their steady adherence to the faith and profession of the gospel amidst great temptation and persecution; before, or, in the presence of, our God As εμπροσθεν του Θεου ημων properly signifies. Joy in the presence of God is not a carnal or worldly but a spiritual joy, such as God approves. Night and day praying exceedingly That is, with great earnestness and importunity: that God would permit us to see your face Once more in the flesh; and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith Thus it appears St. Paul did not suppose that they who are once upon the rock no longer need to be taught by man! Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ Here we have a plain instance of prayer being addressed to Christ as well as to the Father, and even in the same words, and at the same time. A similar instance occurs 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17. And doubtless these petitions are addressed to him because he is God, for unless he be present everywhere, how can he hear the prayers which are everywhere put up to him by his disciples? Direct Clear, or make straight; our way unto you Namely, by removing those obstructions which at present remain. This prayer is founded on the supposition that the common events on which the apostle's prosperous journey to the Thessalonians depended, were under the direction of God. The apostle, it appears, was heard in his prayer; for, as we are told (Act 20:2) that he gave the brethren in Macedonia much exhortation, we have reason to believe he did not pass by the Thessalonians, whom he was so desirous to visit. And the Lord make you to increase and abound Πλεονασαι και περισσευσα, to abound and overflow; in love The Lord Jesus seems to be here addressed, because all spiritual blessings which are originally from the Father come to us immediately through and from Christ, to whom belongs the office of bestowing every blessing, whether of nature, of providence, or of grace, upon his followers. The apostle's example in praying thus fervently and importunately for his converts, well deserves to be imitated by all ministers of the gospel. And toward all men, as we toward you Chandler's remark on this passage is worthy of particular attention: “The apostle loved the Thessalonians as a father loves his children, and as a mother the infant at her breast, 1 Thessalonians 2:7. This his great love to them made him solicitous for their perseverance and salvation, so as to be willing to be persecuted, and to live in continual straits, (1 Thessalonians 3:7,) and to lose his life, (1 Thessalonians 2:8,) if it could have contributed to their perseverance in the faith, and to their eternal happiness. Generous apostle! how like the Master he served! Well therefore might he propose his own love to them as a pattern of their love to one another and to all. What an excellent religion is the Christian, which enjoins such a universal benevolence, even toward enemies and persecutors, and which roots out of the mind every tendency to anger, envy, malice, and revenge.” To the end That by means of your love, which is the root of all piety and virtue; he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness May make you steadfast in the experience of all Christian graces, and in the practice of all godliness and righteousness; and this before God, even our Father Whose eyes are always upon you. These are high expressions when applied to fallen creatures, but what cannot the grace of God in Christ effect? Ye shall be perfect, says the Lord Jesus to his disciples, as, or because, your Father in heaven is perfect. And St. Paul informs us, that apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, are appointed for the work of the ministry, in order to the perfecting of the saints, till they all come unto the full measure of Christ's stature, Ephesians 4:11-13; and accordingly that they made it the great end of their preaching to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, Colossians 1:28. At the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints That you may be found such at the day of final judgment.