Deeper Reflection
PAUL 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.

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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