Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Thessalonians 4:10

10 And indeed you do it towards all the brethren which are in all Macedonia ; But we beseech you, brethren, that ye encrease more and more .

As an evidence of the truth of their love for which he commended them, and that they were taught it of God: He gives a practical instance of it in this verse, else the Apostle might have been thought to flatter, or to command a love that was without Fruit: And therefore he saith not, ye profess it, but ye do it, so 2 Cor. 8.11. perform the doing of it.

Which was a large Province, wherein were planted many Churches. Their love was not guided by Interests, Opinions, Civil Relations, or Self-Respects, but it reached to all that were brethren, and that in some real effect of it, in some work of Charity, or Liberality, or otherwise not here mentioned, but we read of it 2 Cor. 8.1, 2.

But however their love was not yet perfect, and therefore he beseecheth them to abound more, and more; either meant as to the extent of it, not to confine it only to Macedonia, or as to the degree of it, to excel men in it, as the Greek word may be rendred: And the same word the Apostle useth, and upon the same account 2 Cor. 8.7. neither Love, or any other Grace is made perfect at once, even those that are taught of God, are taught by degrees. And Love being a grace so suitable to the Gospel, and their present suffering state he therefore especially exhorts to a progress in it.

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