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"We are bound to give thanks to God alway for you, brethren, even as it is meet." Again a sign of great humility. For he led them to reflect and consider, that if for our good actions others do not admire us first, but God, much more also ought we. And in other respects too he raises up their spirits, because they suffer such things as are not worthy of tears and lamentations, but of thanksgiving to God. But if Paul is thankful for the good of others, what will they suffer, who not only are not thankful, but even pine at it. "For that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth." And how, you say, can faith increase? That is when we suffer something dreadful for it. It is a great thing for it to be established, and not to be carried away by reasonings. But when the winds assail us, when the rains burst upon us, when a violent storm is raised on every side, and the waves succeed each other-then that we are not shaken, is a proof of no less than this, that it grows, and grows exceedingly, and becomes loftier. For as in the case of the flood all the stony and lower parts are soon hidden, but as many things as are above, it reaches not them, so also the faith that is become lofty, is not drawn downwards. For this reason he does not say "your faith groweth;" but "groweth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth." Seest thou how this contributes for the ease of affliction, to be in close guard together, and to adhere to one another? From this also arose much consolation. The love and faith, therefore, that is weak, afflictions shake, but that which is strong they render stronger. For a soul that is in grief, when it is weak, can add nothing to itself; but that which is strong doth it then most. And observe their love. They did not love one indeed, and not love another, but it was equal on the part of all. For this he has intimated, by saying, "of each one of you all toward one another." For it was equally poised, as that of one body. Since even now we find love existing among many, but this love becoming the cause of division. For when we are knit together in parties of two or three, and the two indeed, or three or four, are closely bound to one another, but draw themselves off from the rest, because they can have recourse to these, and in all things confide in these; this is the division of love-not love. For tell me, if the eye should bestow upon the hand the foresight which it has for the whole body, and withdrawing itself from the other members, should attend to that alone, would it not injure the whole? Assuredly. So also if we confine to one or two the love which ought to be extended to the whole Church of God, we injure both ourselves and them, and the whole. For these things are not of love, but of division; schisms, and distracting rents. Since even if I separate and take a member from the whole man, the part separated indeed is united in itself, is continuous, all compacted together, yet even so it is a separation, since it is not united to the rest of the body. For what advantage is it, that thou lovest a certain person exceedingly? It is a human love. But if it is not a human love, but thou lovest for God's sake, then love all. For so God hath commanded to love even our enemies. And if He hath commanded to love our enemies, how much more those who have never aggrieved us? But, sayest thou, I love, but not in that way. Rather, thou dost not love at all. For when thou accusest, when thou enviest, when thou layest snares, how dost thou love? "But," sayest thou, "I do none of these things." But when a man is ill spoken of, and thou dost not shut the mouth of the speaker, dost not disbelieve his sayings, dost not check him, of what love is this the sign? "And the love," he says, "of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth."

There could be no merit in men’s choice of Christ, if it were not that God’s grace precedes any faith or action on their part in his choosing them. This is why the apostle Paul pronounces to the Thessalonians this benediction, “The Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another, and toward all men.” This benediction to love one another he gave us, who had also given us a law that we should love one another. Then, in the salutation addressed to the same church where some of its members possessed the disposition which he had wished them to cultivate, Paul says, “We are bound to thank God always for you, brothers. This is quite fitting, because your faith grows robustly, and your mutual charity abounds.”

Paul adds in a fitting manner, so that they testify that great thanks must be given to God for such an infinite gift.

Paul seems to say here that the activity of grace has grown, for he does not say that “we give thanks” but that “we are bound to give thanks.” In the same way we deserve to have a complaint lodged against us if we do not render to someone what is justly owed. This is the force of “as is fitting,” where the point is that there has been an increase in the work of grace, such that what has happened in the Thessalonians is rightly referred to God as its source.

Indeed, we must note that in the first letter he does not say 'we ought to give thanks,' but 'we give thanks.' For truly there is a greater virtue in what he says, 'we ought to give thanks,' because indeed somebody can freely give thanks for some thing; but truly he who says that he ought, shows that he, too, is a debtor. Therefore the Apostle shows that he, too, is a debtor. because your faith is increasing greatly, and because the charity of each of you toward one another is abundant Certainly with these words they show the connection and narration of the first letter, since they show to them the progress of the same persons, in order that they might love the good things which they were more devotedly doing. In this act preachers are instructed that, while they know that their hearers have made progress, they must desire to show to them the same progress. To the extent that they give attention to their own progress, they should also love more firmly the good things which they do, and they should try to be imitators of the Thessalonians.

The apostle teaches three things here: if something proves to be upright in us, we must not praise ourselves for it, but thank God, and, ascribing everything to Him, not be puffed up by it; if someone suffers, this is worthy not of weeping and tears, but of thanksgiving to God — and those who suffer must rejoice, not lose heart; one must not envy those who appear to be advancing, but rather rejoice in this and thank God for one's brethren — so that those who are stung by the good they see in others dishonor God Himself. The apostle used the expression "as is fitting" so that we would not be puffed up even by our very thankfulness, as though we were doing something exceptional by it; for here we are doing what ought to be done. This is why he called thanksgiving "fitting." Or he speaks this way in order to suggest that one must give thanks both in word and in deed; for such thanksgiving is true thanksgiving. If the onrushing flood of trials for the faith has not drowned you, this serves as a sign of nothing other than that your faith has grown and become more exalted. This is similar to how in the ancient flood the elevated places were not quickly submerged. Therefore he also said: "increases," in order to indicate the considerable height of faith. Pay attention to the love of the Thessalonians. They did not act in such a way as to love one person but not another; on the contrary, their love in all things was equal toward all. The apostle points to this when he says "each one" and "toward one another." For if we love only some, this is not love, but a rupture of love. If you love for God's sake, then love all; but if you love only some, this is human friendship. Note that close fellowship and mutual support greatly help in afflictions.

“We are bound to give thanks always to God for you.” This is the epistolary narration. And first he instructs them about what is to happen in the last days; second, he warns them in a friendly way about certain things in the third chapter, at “for the rest, brethren” (2 Thess 3:1). And first, he admonishes them regarding the rewards of the good and the punishments of the wicked; second, he admonishes them regarding the dangers of the time of the Antichrist, in chapter two, at “and we beseech you” (2 Thess 2:1). And first he gives thanks for their preparation for the future judgment; second, he describes the judgment itself, at “seeing it is a just thing.” And first he gives thanks for their progress; second, he displays the fruit of their progress; third, he points to a sign of it. He says, therefore, “we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren.” For since he commended them in the first epistle for their faith and charity and for the other goods in which they abounded, he says “we are bound to give thanks always to God for you,” because I consider the good you have as mine. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4). And he gives thanks “to God,” without whom nothing good can come to pass. And this is “as it is fitting,” because we give thanks for great goods. “Since God has wondrously liberated us from great dangers, let us give thanks” (2 Macc 1:11). Why? Because spiritual goods “grow exceedingly.” For such goods are not safely guarded unless a man progresses in them. Now among these gifts of God the first is faith, through which God dwells in us, and our progress in faith is in connection with the understanding. “To have Christ through faith in your hearts” (Eph 3:17). And so a man progresses through knowledge, devotion, and adherence. The second is charity, through which God is present in us by his effect. “God is charity, and he who abides in charity abides in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16). And for this reason he says, “and the charity of every one of you towards each other abounds.” “In abundant justice there is the greatest strength” (Prov 15:5). “But concerning charity towards the brotherhood I have no need to write to you, for you yourselves have learned from God to love one another” (1 Thess 4:9).