1 Thessalonians 3:8 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For now we live, if, &c.— "For now I live, indeed; I relish and enjoy life, seeing you continue steadfast in the profession, faith, and practice of the Christian religion, in which, through the favour of God,I was employed in initiating you." Here is a pattern for all the pastors of the Christian church. It would have deprived this great Apostle of much of the satisfaction and comfort of his life, to haveheard that his converts in general, at Thessalonica or elsewhere, did not persevere; but it was happiness, it was comfort, it was life worth enjoying, to hear of their steadiness and perseverance.