2 Thessalonians 1 – “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith grows exceedingly and the love of every one of you all toward each other abounds.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3)

TWO small words show us where Paul wishes us to put the emphasis; “bound” and “meet”: “We are bound to thank God always for you, as it is meet.” This is not just a desire we have in appreciation of our good fortune in having friends like the brethren and sisters, for that very appreciation should bring with it a driving force, even as Paul says, “He is bound to give thanks”.

This is also implied in the use of that other word “meet”. It is a pity that this old English word is not used as frequently now as it used to be. It carries with it the idea of suitability, of being the correct and proper thing to do. Thus Adam was provided with a help, “meet” or suitable for him. It also occurs in the reply of the prodigal’s father to his eldest son: “It is meet that we make merry …” It is the proper thing to do.

So the Apostle, driven by an urge which was right and proper, thanked God for his brethren and sisters. How easy it is for us to take these blessings for granted.

HOWARD WALKER, The Christadelphian, 1976, page 408.

2 Thessalonians

1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.