CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.
Ver. 3. We are bound to thank God.—We owe a debt of gratitude to God. It is not so much what is seemly that comes into prominence here, as what is due. Even as it is meet.—The word for “meet” directs attention to the value of the increase of the faith of the Thessalonians. As though the apostle said, “It is something worth giving thanks for.” Your faith groweth exceedingly.—The word for “groweth exceedingly” does not occur again in the New Testament. It means “to increase beyond measure.” The faith of the Thessalonians was like “a fruitful bough by a fountain whose branches run over the wall,” though “the archers have solely grieved it, and shot at it and persecuted it” (Gen. xlix. 22, 23). The charity of every one of you toward each other aboundeth.—This is high praise indeed—a plethora of love. Like a brimming fountain kept always full, so the love of these early Christians overflowed, Cf. on 1 Thess. iv. 9.
Ver. 4. We ourselves glory in you.—St. Paul had to rebuke the Corinthians for the factious spirit which set off the excellencies of one teacher against those of another. Here he plays off one Church against another, as a schoolmaster might seek to stir up his pupils by mentioning the names of those who have taken scholarships. But St. Paul well knew that this needed care (see Col. iii. 21; R.V. or Greek).
Ver. 5. Which is a manifest token.—“An indication.” The steadfast and resolute continuance in the profession and adornment of the Christian faith, in face of opposition, might suggest to persecutors, as to Gamaliel, the possibility of the Divine origin of the faith, to oppose which was to fight against God (Acts v. 39).
Ver. 6. Seeing it is a righteous thing.—“There is no unrighteousness in Him” (John vii. 18). However stern the retribution, none who suffers will ever be able to impugn the justice. To recompense tribulation to them that trouble you.—The R.V. comes nearer to the original, “affliction to them that afflict you.” This lex talionis is a sword that is dangerous to any hand but His who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay” (Rom. xii. 19).
Ver 7. And to you who are troubled rest with us.—The idea suggested by the words is that of poor, hunted fugitives with nerves tensely strung and with a wild look of fear in the eyes. As the guardians of the infant Jesus were assured of safety by the death of him who sought the child’s life, so the strain of fear shall be relaxed in the case of the persecuted Thessalonians.
Ver. 8. In flaming fire.—Lit. “in a fire of flame.” “Fire is a symbol of Divine anger and majesty in Scripture; and flame is fire in motion, leaping and blazing out” (Findlay). Taking vengeance on them that know not God.—St. Paul does not consider ignorance as a valid excuse where knowledge might be had, any more than a man would be looked on as innocent who should plead that, being a foreigner, he did not know that the law of any country which he visits forbids murder. “This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John iii. 19).
Ver. 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction.—R.V. “who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction.” It has been repeatedly shown that only arbitrariness can limit the meaning of this terrible phrase. Our comfort must be that He with whom “it is a righteous thing to recompense affliction” (ver. 6) will always be self-consistent. From the presence of the Lord. The fulness of joy is there, and they who, like Cain, go out from it carry the ache of an irreparable loss with them. The Hebraism in the phrase is brought out by the R.V. “from the face of the Lord.”
Ver. 10. To be glorified in His saints.—Two meanings at least suit this phrase: (1) It may be the apostle thought of the great ascription of praise rising from the vast assembly of saints, or (2) it may be he is thinking of the saints as the trophies of the Redeemer’s love and power—the work that speaks the Master’s praise. And to be admired.—R.V. “marvelled at.” The same work describes the fawning sycophancy of men of the Balaam spirit, or it might describe the open-eyed and speechless wonder of an African chief in a State function.
Ver. 11. And fulfil all the good pleasure.—R.V. “every desire of goodness.” “As much as to say, May God mightily accomplish in you all that goodness would desire and that faith can effect” (Findlay).