1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable to any of you… I. IN HIS PERSONAL CHARACTER, AS AN EXAMPLE TO THE FLOCK. Consider him as behaving 1. Holily before God. He was made a new creature in Christ Jesus. Throughout life he exhibited the evidences of, and made continual advancement in, the graces of the new creation. Notice some of the characteristics of Paul's holiness, which are always in some degree in every holy character. (1) Tenderness of conscience. (2) Deep humility. (3) Lively gratitude. (4) Prayerfulness. (5) Realization of the presence of God. (6) Living upon the promises of God. (7) Profitableness of conversation. 2. Justly before man — (1) In thought. (2) In word. (3) In deed. 3. Unblameable in general deportment. Free from minor (so-called) imprudences; abstaining from all appearance of evil. Blamed indeed he was, as all who live holily will be, but only "as concerning the law of His God" like Daniel. With regard to everything that involved duty and faithfulness he was firm as an oak, but in everything relating to personal convenience and benefit yielding in any way he could for the glory of God and the good of man. II. AS THE INSTRUCTOR AND GUARDIAN OF THE FLOCK. 1. He "exhorted," setting forth the whole truth, not simply as a matter of theory but practically. There was no reserve in his doctrine, pandering to individual tastes or to the fashion of the day. Hence his preaching afforded tests — (1) To the unregenerate by means of which they might discover the absence of spiritual life and be led to repentance. (2) To the lukewarm, so that they should not be allowed to rest satisfied with mere profession. (3) To the believer, teaching him not to rest in present attainments, but to press forward. 2. He "comforted." His own heart was full of love to God and man, and rejoiced in the experience of Divine consolations, so that he was duly qualified to sympathize with others (2 Corinthians 1:8-5). Cold is the comfort which arises from the mere theoretical statement of points calculated to give comfort; but when that consolation flows from a heart that can say, "I have tried it myself and know its power," then God works by means of the minister 3. With holy authority and deep solemnity. Paul charged the Thessalonians — (1) With discrimination, in language that was not vague and general, but such as enabled him to apply the different parts of his message to the conscience of "everyone."(2) With tender affection as a father. III. THE OBJECT HE HAD IN VIEW — "That ye would walk," etc. The arguments by which he enforced this charge were three-fold. 1. God had called them not only generally but effectually, and as He who had called them was holy so He urged them to be holy. 2. God had given them a place in His kingdom. That kingdom was one of — (1) Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost; its members there fore must glorify the King by "righteousness and true holiness," and by "joy and peace through believing."(2) Liberty: its subjects are delivered from the thraldom of sin and Satan, and must live in loyalty to the royal law of liberty. (3) Light: its citizens must, therefore, walk as "children of the light." 3. God had prepared for them a state of glory. The heirs of that glory, therefore, must live — (1) In expectation of it. (2) In preparation for it. (J. Hill, B. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. |
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