I. The text points to the future. Paul loved the Thessalonians; he made mention of them in his prayers. He remembered without ceasing their work of faith, their labour of love, their patience and hope. Instead of indulging in fond regrets, and lamenting the severance of old ties, and giving himself up to the fascination of sentimental reminiscences, he looks onward to the future cheerfully, anticipating renewed fellowship, calculating upon continued usefulness. His view extends to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The death of Christ, the resurrection of Christ, the ascension of Christ these facts threw majestic shadows over the life path of believers, and were to them fountains of enthusiastic inspiration; but the coming of the Lord Jesus was the bright hope which fixed their eyes and filled their hearts.
II. The text recognises an everlasting bond of union between a Christian pastor and his flock. What is said here implies a mutual recognition at the last day. The true minister toils for eternity. The result of his employment will not appear till time shall end. Many kinds of effort in this life produce immediate results; they can be at once detected and recorded. But not so with what comes of our sacred occupation. The harvest is the end of the world; the reapers are the angels.
III. The text suggests the conditions on which the Apostolic hope may be fulfilled. (1) The conversion of men to Christ through their repentance and faith, through their experience of the change which the Gospel alone describes, which the Gospel alone effects, that is, the new birth. (2) A second ground on which such felicity rests is the edification, the improvement, the growth in holiness of those so converted. (3) The consolation of the afflicted in this world of trial will add to the crown of rejoicing. The strongest of all ministerial power is sympathy in sorrow.
J. Stoughton, Penny Pulpit,New Series, No. 792.
References: 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 2:20. Christian World Pulpit,vol. vii., p. 241; R. Davey, Ibid.,vol. xi., p. 282; Preacher's Monthly,vol. ii., p. 452; J. Vaughan, Fifty Sermons,6th series, p. 81.