Thomas Aquinas, on 1Thess 1:3

“Being mindful of the work of your faith, and labour, and charity, and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father:”

“Then when he says, "remembering... your work of faith," Paul mentions the blessings for which he offers thanks, that is, faith, hope, and charity: "So faith, hope, love abide, these three" (1 Cor. 13:13). First, he mentions faith because it is an essential condition for obtaining the things to be hoped for, a means of revelation not based on appearances: "For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him" (Heb. 11:6). This, however, is not sufficient unless the person practices good works and makes an effort; so Paul says, "your work of faith and labor." "Faith apart from works is dead" (Jas. 2:26). The person who gives up while laboring for Christ is worth nothing: "They believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away" (Lk. 8:13). Paul uses the words, "work" and "labor," implying that he is mindful of their active and struggling faith. Paul also gives thanks for the love in which they abounded. Later (4:9), he says: "but concerning love of the brethren you have no need to have any one write to you." Then he gives thanks for their hope, which enables them to endure sufferings patiently: "Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation" (Rom. 12:12). In addition, Paul gives thanks for the steadfastness of their hope: "You have heard of the steadfastness of Job" (Jas. 5:11). Finally, Paul gives thanks for hope in our Lord, that is, the hope we have in Christ, or the hope Christ gave to us: "We have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Pet. 1:3). This hope is, "before our God," not before the eyes of men; "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them" (Matt. 6:1). "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul" (Heb. 6:19). For hope in the old dispensation did not lead to God.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.