Deeper ReflectionPAUL GAVE THANKS TO GOD IN “CONSTANTLY MENTIONING” and “remembering” the Thessalonians in His presence (vv.2-3a). It is when we think of people and remember them – their names, faces, life situations and needs – that we are prompted to thank God and to pray for them.
31 What particularly stirred up Paul’s thanksgiving to God were “the three most eminent Christian graces”
32 his new converts possessed: faith, love and hope. These are “not some invisible qualities that bear no relationship to the real world”, but are “vibrant realities that express themselves visibly”
33, as Paul describes them in intensive concrete terms: “
work of faith,
labour of love and
steadfastness of hope” (v.3). It is noteworthy that “too often churches today” – and individual believers, too – “tend to give thanks only for visible and quantifiable realities”
34, rather than like Paul who gave thanks for “more unquantifiable realities”
35 such as faith, love and hope, which are needed to inspire visible actions and attitudes. The faith is “work of faith” – “work produced by faith” (NIV) – that is, faith in action. Faith in action is
Godward – like still trusting in the Word of God in hope against hope situations, believing that the faithful God can and does act beyond the proper time of life (Rom 4:18-21; Heb 11:11). Faith in action is also
manward – like meeting the practical needs of people (Jas 2:14-17). Authentic faith is action faith.
31 John R. W. Stott, 29
32 John R. W. Stott, 29
33 Gary S Shogren, 59
34 G. K. Beale, 49
35 G. K. Beale, 49
