2 Thessalonians 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations… I. WHAT IS PATIENCE? A contented endurance of painful evils. It is a moral virtue when by the argument of human prudence we harden ourselves to bear the evils that befall us. The spiritual grace is the fruit of the Spirit, and we bear these evils from Divine principles to Divine ends. The latter as it is wrought in us by God (Romans 15:5) so it fetcheth its strength from God's Word (Romans 15:4). Now scriptural arguments are fetched either from the will of God who appoints us to this conflict (1 Thessalonians 3:3), or from the glory of God, which is promoted thereby (Philippians 1:20), or else our final happiness (James 1:12) or from the example of Christ (1 Peter 2:21). This grace of patience may be considered — 1. Barely as tried. Some give up at the first assault (Matthew 3:21). Others hold up against the first brunt, but begin to be tired and wax weary in their minds (Hebrews 12:3). 2. As tried with many and long afflictions (Hebrews 10:32; Colossians 1:4). Many cannot bear any evil; they have no faith. Some hold out in slighter temptations for a while; they have weak faith. But the constant and unconquered patience is the fruit of strong faith. II. WHAT OF FAITH IS MANIFESTED BY IT? 1. Assent, for we must believe the truth with a Divine faith before we can suffer for it. How can we endure afflictions for supernatural things, which merely depend on revelation, unless we are firmly persuaded of their truth? (Acts 14:22). 2. Consent, or fidelity to Christ in our covenanted duty (Matthew 16:24). In great afflictions we are tried whether we love anything above Christ (Matthew 10:37). The resolution of this consent is the thing tried, i.e., whether we are prepared to endure anything for Christ's sake (Acts 21:13). It is easier to discourse of patience than to practice it, as it is easier to build a castle in time of peace than to defend it in time of war. 3. Confidence, or relying upon God's promises, which are our support. There are two sorts of promises. (1) That God will enable you to bear them (2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:18; 1 Corinthians 10:13). (2) That He will graciously reward them (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17). III. THE REASONS. 1. Faith is the grace that is most struck at in our tribulations (James 1:3); therefore if a man know the strength of it in time of tribulation, then ordinarily he has a clearer proof of the truth and strength of that grace than at other times. 2. It is the grace that is of most use to us at such times (1 Peter 5:9; Ephesians 6:16). Three benefits we have by it — (1) It keeps us so that we do not for these things question the love of God (Isaiah 49:14; Psalm 77:9; Hebrews 12:5). (2) So that we take no sinful course for our escape (Psalm 125:3, 5). It should not shake our constancy and persuade us to do as the wicked (Isaiah 28:16; Hebrews 11:35). (3) So that we may not faint and grow weary of duties, even of life itself, as Jonah (Jonah 4:8; see Psalm 27:13; Psalm 42:5). 3. In such times faith is manifested. The true and sensible discovery of faith is patience under manifold tribulations. (1) Because then we have nothing to stick unto but the comforts and supports of faith. (2) Its proper, genuine effect is then produced to the view of both conscience and the world. What courage our belief in God's promises has produced in us sensibly appears by enduring the greatest extremities rather than forsake the way of the Lord. (T. Manton , D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: |
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