Homilies on First Thessalonians — Homily 4

St. John Chrysostom

1. 0. Greeting

[[1 Thessalonians 3.5]]-8

For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain. But when Timothy came even now unto us from you, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love, and that you have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, even as we also to see you; for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith: for now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

A question lies before us today, which is much disputed, and which is gathered from many sources. But what is this question? For this cause, he says, when I could no longer forbear, I sent Timothy that I might know your faith. What do you say? He, who knew so many things, who heard unutterable words, who ascended even to the third heaven, does not he know, even when he is in Athens? And yet the distance is not great, nor has he been long parted from them. For he says, Being bereaved of you for a short season. He does not know the affairs of the Thessalonians, but is compelled to send Timothy to know their faith, lest, he says, the tempter had tempted you, and our labors should be in vain.

What then is one to say? That the Saints knew not all things. And this one might learn from many instances, both of the early ones, and of those who came after them, as Elisha knew not concerning the woman [[2 Kings 4.27]]; as Elijah said to God, I only am left, and they seek my life. Wherefore he heard from God, I have left me seven thousand men. [[1 Kings 19.10]] and 18 Samuel again, when he was sent to anoint David; The Lord said to him, Look not on his countenance, nor on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for God sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart. [[1 Samuel 16.7]]

And this comes to pass out of great care on God's part. How, and in what way? For the sake both of the Saints themselves, and of those who believe in them. For as He permits that there should be persecutions, so He permits that they should also be ignorant of many things, that they may be kept humble. On this account also Paul said, There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted over much. [[2 Corinthians 12.7]] And again, lest others also should have great imaginations concerning them. For if they thought they were gods from their miracles, much more if they had continued always knowing all things. And this again he also says: Lest any man should account of me above that which he sees me to be, or hears from me. [[2 Corinthians 12.6]] And again hear Peter, when he healed the lame man, saying, Why are you looking at us, as if by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk. [[Acts 3.12]] And if even when they were saying and doing these things, and from these few and small miracles, evil imaginations were thus en