2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
Thanksgiving
3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
Paul’s epistles do follow an accepted pattern that is typical in the first century Greek culture. For example, he begins by identifying himself as the writer and provides a traditional salutation that introduces the recipients for whom the letter is intended. Following the salutation, which includes a declaration of grace to the recipients from God, comes a statement of thanksgiving. This statement of thanksgiving is our passage for today’s study (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4).
In verse 3, we must establish what Paul means when he says, ‘We ought [emphasis added] always to give thanks to God for you’. Paul, in his apostolic role as spiritual father of this church, is definitely not saying that he ‘probably should always give thanks’. We can be assured that Paul’s use of the word ‘ought’ is not suggesting a potential possibility, but it establishes a duty, responsibility, or obligation. The Amplified Bible says it best by translating the phrase to be, “We ought and indeed are obligated [as those in debt] to give thanks always to God for you.” I like the nuance that suggests Paul was obligated as if he were in debted. From Scripture, Paul indebtedness was twofold. First, his indebtedness was to the Lord Jesuss. Paul was delivered from his life of sin and hatred against Christ and his church. God took the old stony heart from Paul and gave him a heart of flesh, whereby Paul became a new creation born anew in Christ Jesus as his Lord God and Savior. Paul declares this change and his new identity in 2 Corinthians 5:17, which says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Secondly, Paul says that he has a debt to others. Romans 1:14-15 says, “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.” Paul obligation to the Greeks and barbarians, however, does come from his zeal for God who gave him this ministry, apostleship, and commission. In application, we also have a duty and obligation to Christ and to others in love, as demonstrated by Paul. This is especially true in our thankfulness to God for others, because this is right (verse 1:3b).
Being indebted to one does coincide with being thankful or grateful to them. On a spiritual level, this is part of our worship. We come to Him in prayer to thank Him for all the merciful and gracious provisions of life that He has given us. Yes, this is our obligation and duty, but moreso, it is condition of our new identify in Christ. As believers, we are in Christ. Our worship of thanksgiving gushes from His presence. This is right according to Scripture and to our love and passion for our Lord.
In verse 1:4 Paul was thankful because the Thessalonians’ faith was growing abundantly and because their love for others was increasing. What a great commendation Paul had for these believers who suffered under persecution. No doubt, we understand the sovereignty of God when it says that He is in control of all things, even the smallest most minute things in our universe. For example, His divine providence brings affliction and times of prosperity. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away: blessed be the name of the Lord. It was Job who suffered because God allowed Satan to buffet him. Nevertheless, his faith prevailed. In the same way, these Christains in Thessalonica were under severe persecution; yet their faith and their love for others also prevailed. Some say that tribulation brings people to their knees in prayer and to action in love for others, especially in times of disasters and tragedies. In times of prosperity, on the other hand, passions for God and His righteousness wane.
Paul understood his duty to God and to others. He was genuinely thankful for this church. Therefore, Paul was eager to boast to others about this amazing church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Thessalonica. They suffered great affliction. Yet, this did not stop them from growing in faith and love for others. To grow in faith, they continued in Bible study, meeting together as the body of Christ, loving and serving and equipping others, and of course fellowship with the breaking of bread. Paul boasted about them because they remained steadfast and faithful during their times of affliction.
We cannot fully grasp the depth of pain and sorrow these believers had to bear as they suffered for the cause of Christ. Many of us also suffer. Maybe not to the extent that the Thessalonians did. Nevertheless, I, for one, with my pain from an extensive period of time when I was under ungodly abuse, did persevere by the grace of God and all for His glory alone. I, and I encourage us all as believers in Christ, to be obligated to God and to others with a passion for giving thanks. Not just because is it the right thing to do, but because others need our encouragement as they endure their pain and sorrows. We need to love them and boast about them for their great zeal for the Lord as they grow in faith and in love for others. We need to accept our call and disciple others. Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Part of our obligation, is to teach them how to persevere under affliction, like the Apostle Paul did, because we all will go through these valleys at times.
Christian Hymn: God Leads Us Along, by George A. Young in 1903
