Vers. 16, 17. St. Paul’s Prayer for the Thessalonians.
I. The objects the apostle addressed.—1. God, even our Father. 2. Our Lord Jesus Christ.
II. The gifts the apostle acknowledged.—1. The manifestation of Divine love. 2. The communication of saving grace. 3. The bestowment of Christian hope.
III. The blessings the apostle requested.—1. Increasing felicity in the Lord. 2. Persevering stability in the truth.—Eta.
Ver. 16. A Good Hope through Grace.
I. The grace of hope.—1. Refers to the resurrection of the body. 2. To eternal life to be enjoyed by both soul and body. 3. Pre-requisites of this hope.—Conviction of sin. An experimental acquaintance with the Gospel.
II. The excellency of this hope.—“A good hope.” 1. In opposition to the hopes of worldly men. 2. It is a lively hope. 3. The object of it is an infinite and eternal good. 4. It has a good foundation. 5. It produces good effects.
III. The source of this hope.—“Through grace.” 1. Man is the subject of infinite demerit. 2. Christ alone possesses infinite merit. 3. The Scripture warns against all self-dependence.—Helps for the Pulpit.