“Grace to you and peace,” he says, “from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ver. 3. “We are bound to give thanks to God alway for you, brethren, even as it is meet.”
Again a sign of great humility. For he led them to reflect and consider, that if for our
good actions others do not admire us first, but God, much more also ought we. And in
other respects too he raises up their spirits, because they suffer such things as are not worthy
of tears and lamentations, but of thanksgiving to God. But if Paul is thankful for the good
of others, what will they suffer, who not only are not thankful, but even pine at it.
“For that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one
another aboundeth.”
And how, you say, can faith increase? That is when we suffer something dreadful for it.
It is a great thing for it to be established, and not to be carried away by reasonings. But when
the winds assail us, when the rains burst upon us, when a violent storm is raised on every
side, and the waves succeed each other—then that we are not shaken, is a proof of no less
than this, that it grows, and grows exceedingly, and becomes loftier. For as in the case of
the flood all the stony and lower parts are soon hidden, but as many things as are above, it
reaches not them, so also the faith that is become lofty, is not drawn downwards. For this
reason he does not say “your faith groweth;” but “groweth exceedingly, and the love of each
one of you all toward one another aboundeth.” Seest thou how this contributes for the ease
of affliction, to be in close guard together, and to adhere to one another? From this also
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arose much consolation. The love and faith, therefore, that is weak, afflictions shake, but
that which is strong they render stronger. For a soul that is in grief, when it is weak, can add
nothing to itself; but that which is strong doth it then most. And observe their love. They
did not love one indeed, and not love another, but it was equal on the part of all. For this
he has intimated, by saying, “of each one of you all toward one another.” For it was equally
poised, as that of one body. Since even now we find love existing among many, but this love
becoming the cause of division. For when we are knit together in parties of two or three,
and the two indeed, or three or four, are closely bound to one another, but draw themselves
off from the rest, because they can have recourse to these, and in all things confide in these;
this is the division of love—not love. For tell me, if the eye should bestow upon the hand
the foresight which it has for the whole body, and withdrawing itself from the other members,
should attend to that alone, would it not injure the whole? Assuredly. So also if we confine
to one or two the love which ought to be extended to the whole Church of God, we injure
both ourselves and them, and the whole. For these things are not of love, but of division;
schisms, and distracting rents. Since even if I separate and take a member from the whole
man, the part separated indeed is united in itself, is continuous, all compacted together, yet
even so it is a separation, since it is not united to the rest of the body.
For what advantage is it, that thou lovest a certain person exceedingly? It is a human
love. But if it is not a human love, but thou lovest for God’s sake, then love all. For so God
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2 Thessalonians 1:1,2