You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it’s a must. We have to do it. Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other is developing wonderfully. Why, it’s only right that we give thanks. We’re so proud of you; you’re so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have come down on you. We tell everyone we meet in the churches all about you.
Paul immediately launches into thanksgiving for the Thessalonian’s perseverance in their faith despite adversity.
“Despite adversity”. I have been saying it a lot recently but the COVID-19 weeks and months might be when we begin to read the Bible in the context that it was written in and indeed the context that the first readers read it in. Most of the Bible is written in times of adversity whether in slavery, wandering in the desert, at war or in exile, under oppressive Pharaohs, Herods, or Caesars.
Paul is impressed by how the Thessalonians dealt with their adversity. May this be true of us in this season:
“Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other is developing wonderfully.”