Ver. 2. Fellow-labourer is omitted from the R.V. text, which reads, “our brother and God’s minister in the gospel of Christ.” To establish you.—To fix firmly; as Christ said to Peter, “Stablish thy brethren” (Luke xxii. 32).
Ver. 3. That no man should be moved.—The word seems to imply “moved to softness,” as Professor Jowett intimates. It is used especially of the motion of a dog’s tail as it fawns on its master. So the word passes over to the mental sphere (compare on St. James’ figure, James i. 6). “That no man should amidst his calamities be allured by the flattering hope of a more pleasant life to abandon his duty” (Tittmann).
Ver. 4. We should suffer tribulation.—In the verse previous the noun from the same root as the one here translated “suffer tribulation” is given as “afflictions.” “The actual persecution of the Roman government was slight, but what may be termed social persecution and the illegal violence employed towards the first disciples unceasing” (Jowett).
Ver. 5. When I could no longer forbear . . . sent to know.—The whole verse shows the tension of the apostle’s mind.
Ver. 6. And brought us good tidings.—R.V. “glad tidings.” “The one word for ‘brought-glad-tidings’ everywhere else in the New Testament signifies the glad tidings. . . . Hence the peculiar force of the word here. . . . It was a gospel sent to him in return for his gospel brought to them” (Findlay). Ye have good remembrance of us.—Kindly remembrance. The tempter had not been able to turn to gall the sweet thoughts of grateful appreciation of the apostle’s work.
Ver. 8. For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.—The man who later could say, “For to me to live is Christ” (Phil. i. 21), prepares us for that saying by this. Life to him is desirable only as others benefit by it.
Ver. 9. For what thanks can we render to God again.—In the R.V. “again” is joined with “render,” representing the one word of St. Paul. The same verb is found twice in Luke xiv. 14 as “recompense.” The apostle feels what a poor requital any thanksgiving must be for the mercy of the good news from Thessalonica (see 2 Thess. i. 6).
Ver. 11. Direct our way unto you.—Acts xvi. 6, 7 should be read. Satan might hinder (ch. ii. 18); if God “makes straight” the way, progress will be easy.
Ver. 12. The Lord make you abound in love.—The Lord may here be the Holy Spirit, as the three persons of the Trinity will be appealed to (cf. ver. 13, as in 2 Thess. iii. 5). So the Holy Ghost is called the Lord (2 Cor. iii. 17). Love is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. v. 22), and His office is to establish in holiness (ver. 13; 1 Pet. i. 2) (Faussett).
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Verses 1, 2.