Your faith is greatly enlarged
2 Thessalonians 1:3 May we endure today’s increasingly hostile world with ever-growing love and faith
“We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;”
2 Thessalonians 1:3 NASB1995
The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians is another of Paul’s letters to the nascent Christian church in Thessalonica. This was only the second church that Paul had established in what is now Europe (Greece), and as with the church in Corinth, Paul felt that they needed guidance and encouragement in face of hostile opposition.
Paul begins this epistle with a warm greeting, then thanks God for this church. Why was Paul so enthusiastic about the church in Thessalonica? He felt it was an obligation to thank God for His work done in these Christians. From Charles H. Spurgeon:
ii. “It is your duty to praise him. You are bound by the bonds of his love as long as you live to bless his name. It is meet and comely that you should do so. It is not only a pleasurable exercise, but it is the absolute duty of the Christian life to praise God.”1
And why was Paul so effusive in His thanks to God? They had not only had faith, but it was growing each and every day! Their faith was “greatly enlarged” from the time that Paul had established the church, a testament not to himself, but to God.
Their love for each other was also growing as well. Paul used an unusual Greek word here — ὑπεραυξάνω (hyperauxanō, meaning “to increase beyond measure” or “grow exceedingly”) — to show that their love wasn’t stagnant or false; it was thriving as the church faced persecution and tribulations.
In the next verse, Paul says that “therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.” (2 Thessalonians 1:4). He is so thrilled with their faith and love that he’s bragging about them to the other churches!
How were the Thessalonians able to expand their faith in the face of persecution? As usual, Spurgeon has a very good answer with which I will finish today’s devotional. We should all take his advice to heart:
“By that means you are to grow. This is so with faith. Do all you can, and then do a little more; and when you can do that, then do a little more than you can. Always have something in hand that is greater then your present capacity. Grow up to it, and when you have grown up to it, grow more.”2
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Father in Heaven, for this message in which we learn more of Your truth. Like Your servant Paul, may we always give You thanks for increasing the faith of other believers and myself, and for Your Word. Like the church of Thessalonica, may we endure today’s increasingly hostile world with ever-growing love and faith. May we praise You at all times, rejoice in Your love, and be certain to give You thanks for everything you provide. We ask this in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, AMEN.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org.
Spurgeon, Charles Haddon "The New Park Street Pulpit" Volumes 1-6 and "The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit" Volumes 7-63 (Pasadena, Texas: Pilgrim Publications, 1990)
Spurgeon, Charles Haddon "The New Park Street Pulpit" Volumes 1-6 and "The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit" Volumes 7-63 (Pasadena, Texas: Pilgrim Publications, 1990)