1Thessalonians 1:2-3 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father
‘We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.’ Being thankful for all things is a priority and state of being for all Christian. Thankfulness works against ingratitude and complaining (5:18; Col. 3:15; 1Cor. 10:10).
‘Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope.’ Three good things to remember here about these congregations: Work of faith … you turned to God from idols (1:3 with 1:9). Labour of love … to serve the living and true God (1:3 with 1:9). Patience of hope … to wait for His Son from heaven (1:3 with 1:10).
‘Work of faith.’ These believers had faith – not dead, speculative, or professing faith – but real, living, active productive faith (1:3, 5-8; 2:13-14; 2Thess. 1:3, 11; 2:17; 3:1, 9).
‘Labour of love.’ Their work of faith was backed by their labour of love. This is normal and the perfect scriptural pattern. The gifts should be exercised in love (1Cor. 13:1-13).
‘Patience of hope.’ This was the third of the great characteristics of these believers. Their program was Christianity in action and the verse could read, “faithful work, loving labour, and hopeful patience.”
Living the Word 