Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Thessalonians 1:3

3 We are bound to thank God alwayes for you brethren, as it is meet , because that your faith groweth exceedingly , and the charity of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth .

The Apostle begins this Epistle as the former, with thanksgiving; only, there he gave thanks for their Faith, Hope and Love, here he only mentions their Faith and Love; there for the efficacy of their Grace, here for the growth of it. There, he said only we give thanks, here he addeth we are bound, and as it is meet. As if he was obliged to give thanks for them now somewhat more than before, perceiving their grace did not only yet abide, notwithstanding all their persecutions, but encrease and grow.

But the Apostles thanksgiving here respects particularly these Thessalonians growth. Not only the beginning, but growth of grace is from God, else why doth the Apostle give thanks for it, as Phil. 1.6. Hence he is stiled the God of all Grace, 1 Pet. 5.10. weak and strong, first or second. The manner of its growth, whether by infusion of new degrees, as the first grace is infused, or by cooperating only with it, and so its increased by exercise, is a question I leave to the Schoolmen. However growth is a Duty, and commendable in Churches. And the Apostle mentions particularly 1. Their growth in Faith; and that to a great degree, [non-Latin text not transcribed], it growes exceedingly. It grows over and above, above the ordinary rate of growth, or the common pitch of Faith. Their progress was from Faith to Faith, their assent to the Doctrine of the Gospel grew more firm and rooted, and the perswasion of their happy state in Christ was much confirmed and strengthned, with a more confident reliance on him. Or their Faith was extended to more objects by the increase of their knowledge.

2. Their encrease in love; which he also expresseth by an emphatical word, [non-Latin text not transcribed] ▪ which signifies encreasing to more and more; their love grew in the habit, and abounded in the fruits of it; and this love he sets forth by the universality of it, and the reciprocalness of it, it was the love of all to each other. They all did love, and were all beloved of one another; there was no Schisme among them, as in some other Churches. Faith and Love are two Sister Graces, and are always more or less together; only in the order of Nature, Faith is first, and worketh by Love. But not first in time; and then afterwards when it brings forth, Love is fides formata, Faith formed, as the Papists speak. Hence some have said, that there was not one Hypocrite or false Christian in this whole Church. Now the Apostle and his Fellow Ministers hereupon judged themselves bound to give thanks. Christians are obliged to give God thanks for the Grace of God in others as well as in themselves; and especially the Ministers of the Gospel for the People that have been converted by them, or are committed to them. Hereby the Apostles joy was encreased at present, and his future Glory might be advanced also.

Marginal references: 1 Thes. 1.2, 3. [illegible: 1 word]. 2, 13.