“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3, NKJV)

The apostle Paul feels a sense of personal obligation to keep on giving thanks to God because of God’s continued blessings in the believers in Thessalonica. He continues to talk about them as an example that should challenge other Christians in the that district.

Image courtesy of Olive Tree Bible Software.

Paul acknowledged two virtues in the Thessalonian church, a growing faith which is a figure of the tree of faith growing above measure and an abounding love which is actually a diffusive growth of love because “it abounds toward each other.” This abounding love is a fulfillment of the prayer Paul made in 1 Thessalonians 3:12, “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do” (emphases mine).

To see the seed you sowed and watered grow in abundance is an incomparable reward!

References:

Bible Gateway. http://www.biblegateway.com

MySword for Android. Riversoft Ministry, 2011-2019.

Olive Tree Bible Software, 1998-2020.

Zondervan NASB Study Bible. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1999.

Published by Pastorbluejeans Unplugged

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