(13) В¶ For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. (14) For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: (15) Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: (16) Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. (17) В¶ But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. (18) Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. (19) For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? (20) For ye are our glory and joy.
How very lovely it is to observe the Apostle following up the account he gave the Church, of his going in and out before them with thanksgivings to the Lord for the success of his ministry! And I beg the Reader to observe no less, how blessedly he traceth all the success of his labors to this one source, in the Lord's disposing them to receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God. It is always blessed to behold Christ's Servants referring all the glory where alone it is due. We have a beautiful instance, Acts 3:12
We can easily conceive what the Apostle alludes to, when he saith, that he was taken away from them, meaning, as his history informs us, when he was hurried away at the time the uproar was made against Paul and his companions; Acts 17:5. And the hindrance of Satan, meaning his agents, was what Paul more than once noticed. See Romans 1:13
I admire the expression of the Apostle, when he calls the Church their hope and joy. Not that he meant that he was their hope, or they his, for both rested wholly upon Christ, and Christ is all the joy of the Church, both in heaven and earth. But Paul beheld the Church of the Thessalonians as a beautiful building, founded with himself wholly in Christ; and in the labor of the work, the wise Master-builder had condescended to employ Paul and his companions. As such, their furtherance in the knowledge and love of Christ, became a subject of great joy to the Apostle. And he was looking forward to the day of Christ's coming, with holy rapture and delight, as the blessed period, when he should see them and the whole Church arrived to that perfection in Christ, and of, and from Christ, as he hath described to the Church of the Ephesians. (Ephesians 4:13).
Reader! pause, and contemplate the holy view, for it is both holy and blessed. This perfection in Christ, is Christ himself made perfect in his Church, We are said to come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God to a perfect man; namely, Christ in his fullness, having all his mystical body, his saints, then fully and perfectly prepared in body, soul, and spirit, for the everlasting enjoyment of their Lord to all eternity. Every member brought home. Every faculty most completely blessed. All deriving their beauty from Christ, and all made holy in Christ. This will be the wonder of heaven, when Christ's glory and beauty will communicate and reflect both glory and beauty to all his members, and all the vast ends of the Son of God, in marrying human nature, will be consummated, and seen by worlds of admiring spectators, and Christ will be beheld everlastingly blessed and glorious in Himself and in them, and they in Him, and shine as the stars around his Person forevermore. Reader! well might Paul express himself as he did, in the contemplation of this glory, which shall be revealed! And well may you and I look forward to this great day of God, if ye now know him here in grace, for we shall then assuredly know him in glory. He shall come (saith the Apostle) to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe. 2 Thessalonians 1:10.