The Blessing Of God
THE BLESSING OF GOD
2 THESSALONIANS 2:16-17
God’s comfort is the assurance that he is concerned with all that exposes you to hurt and suffering.
Throughout chapter 2 Paul has been concerned to quieten the frantic excitement of believers who were convinced that the Lord would come before the year was completed. His pointed appeal not to be torn from their moorings like ships poorly anchored in a storm (2:1f.) was buttressed by a patient and clear rehearsal of the parade of events which must precede the Day of the Lord (2:3-12). A word of thanksgiving to God for the unmistakable signs of his choice of the Thessalonian believers prepares the church for a calm and reflective consideration of the pattern of truth set out in the oral and written instruction which they have received (2:13-15). Paul then crowns his response to the crisis with a prayer (2:16f.).
The source of encouragement for the ruffled believers is “our Lord Jesus Christ” and “God our Father,” whom Paul sees as one in giving love, comfort and hope to the congregation. The mention of the Son before the Father is due to the fact that the apostle has just been contemplating what it will mean to share “the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2:14). But about both Father and Son it may be said that “He loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace” (2:16). This language echoes the strong assurance Paul has just given to the believers in 2:14f., where he wrote about God’s loving favor, his eternal choice and the hope of glory set before the believers. He now adds a fervent request that they may appropriate that comfort and strength which God has made available to them from eternity, and that he will enable them to reflect stability in all that they do and say (2:17). One can sense the peace of this blessing on the congregation.