“Making Mention Of You In Our Prayers”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

The apostle Paul says on several occasions that he is praying for the brethren. One of these times is when he writes to the Thessalonians (1:2). As this letter begins, Paul says he (and Silvanus and Timothy) are praying for them. What might a prayer from Paul sound like? What might he pray for the brethren?

            In answering this question, we do not have to guess or conjecture. The focus of their prayer was stated in verse 3: “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.” This says a great deal about the brethren at Thessalonica, considering Paul spent a relatively short time with them (Acts 17:1-10).

            Their “work of faith,” “labor of love,” and “patience of hope” left such an impression on him and the others that Paul would tell the brethren that when they prayed, they remembered those characteristics in them. These virtues, demonstrated by the Thessalonians, are not just commendable but also essential for every Christian. They are the foundation of our relationship with God and our interactions with others.

            I find it interesting how Paul describes each attribute. Notice it is a “work of faith.” While this is consistent with Jesus’ teaching (Jn. 6:28-29), this is not the way the world describes faith. Men want to divorce faith from any action or work, even though James tells us that “faith without works is dead” (Jas. 2:26), meaning that our actions evidence true faith. Paul knew how deep their faith was because he saw it in their actions. How do we show our faith today (Jas. 2:18; Rom. 10:16)?

            The Thessalonians’ “labor of love” made an impression on Paul as well. Again, men today might not associate “labor” with “love,” but Paul did! The English word “love” is translated from the word “agape.” “Agape” love is the love that looks out for the best interests of others (Vine’s, p. 702-704). It is a sacrificial love that ought to be in the lives of all Christians. In this case, “agape” love is a decision that is made. We will love others whether or not they love us first. In the case of Paul and the Thessalonians, we can see how their faithfulness to the Lord despite the persecution they faced would be a true “labor of love” (Acts 17:5, 8, 13)! How much do you love others? What kind of labor is it to love some people? Are you still trying, or have you given up (Matt. 22:37-39)? Don’t ever give up on showing that true, sacrificial love toward others (Matt. 5:46-47; I Cor. 13:1-8)!

            Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy also remembered their “patience of hope” (I Thess. 1:3). What did this mean? Understand, the word “hope” in this passage means earnest expectation. This was not a wish or a pipedream, as we often associate with “hope.” Instead, these people had been promised something and expected to receive it! In that expectation, they were patient. This means long-suffering, or enduring to receive the thing for which they hoped! Mr. Thayer includes these thoughts when defining patience: “In the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon). Truly, these people stand out in their faithfulness to the Lord. They were going to have to stand and suffer as they looked forward to something better that was to come (II Cor. 4:17)!

            As we read the passage, notice where all of these things originated, “in our Lord Jesus Christ”! It is in this relationship that we can have faith, love, and hope. Dear one, are you “in Christ” or not (Gal. 3:27; Eph. 1:3)? Being “in Christ” makes all the difference in the world! In Christ, we have opportunities to enjoy faith, hope, and love, and to grow in these areas, just like the Thessalonians. These three characteristics, faith, love, and hope, are not fleeting, but they abide in Christ, as Paul said to the Corinthians (I Cor. 13:13).

            In simple terms. Paul was praying that the Thessalonians would remain strong and not give up in their service to God. Let this be our prayer for fellow Christians today. If someone is not a Christian, then become one today (II Cor. 6:2; Mk. 16:16) and then be determined to mature in the Lord like the Thessalonians!