I Thessalonians 1:3

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“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.”

What is meant by these three phrases: (1) “work of faith, (2) labor of love, and (3) patience of hope”? Let’s examine each:

(1) Faith certainly involves work because God gives it so that we can do things for Him. Real faith—the active faith of Christ within His servants—is not inert belief. It is active and is a force bringing strength to do works. Faith without works is dead (James. 2:17-18).

(2) Labor of love is mentioned, because love is not just a feeling. It is an active approach to keeping the commandments (which are “love,” as explained in I John 5:3 and Rom. 13:10). Christians exercise love, not merely feel it. As was once stated, “It is better to burn out than to rust out.” Love means work and serving!

(3) What about “patience of hope”? Patience means “to bear up under” duress. Hope is very easy as long as Christians are assured that their hope is near. What about when they realize that the hope they look toward may be twenty years away—what about fifty years? What happens when problems, trials, temptations and suffering stand between them and achieving their hope? Doubts can arise and weaken hope. This is why hope must be accompanied by enormous patience (see the Luke 21:19 admonition for the end time). I Thessalonians 1:3 underscores how every word of God is important!

No suggested reading.