¹⁶Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, ¹⁷comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

Free-flowing is an apt description of this letter from the apostle Paul to the Thessalonian believers. We find it amazing that God’s inspired truth comes to us in many forms, using human authors and their personalities and propensities. Reading our passage for today almost gives one a sense of conclusion to Paul’s communication as he breaks out with this fervent benediction, even though he has more to say. He simply can’t wait until the end of his letter!

At this juncture, the apostle is overcome with his thoughts toward his readers and expresses his desire that their spiritual experience of God and His blessing would be enhanced and fully appreciated. At times, Paul breaks out into doxologies, where he extolls God’s greatness (e.g., Rom. 11:33–36, Phil. 4:20). But here his longing is for God to show His greatness by what He does for His people. Paul uses what Greek scholars call the optative form of the verbs “comfort and strengthen” to express a strong desire, indicated in the English with the word “may.”

Paul ardently calls upon “the Lord Jesus Christ Himself” and “God our Father.” Hardly would this pairing and ordering be appropriate unless Jesus was deity on the same level as “God our Father” yet distinct. Both the first and second persons of the Trinity are called upon. It is because of the Father’s love (see John 3:16) and what He has already given us in our “eternal comfort and good hope by grace” that Paul can confidently call on Him to continue that comfort “in every good work and word.” The word “comfort” can be translated as “encouragement.” The comfort we need is to be encouraged in our walk with Christ—not a feel-good experience but robust living according to what is true.

While we have the assurance of our hope of being with God for our future eternity, we need His encouragement for here and now. We need His spiritual strength. Our resolve to live like Christ needs supernatural help so that we may continue to stand strong. The spirit in us is willing, but the flesh is indeed weak (Matt. 26:41). Paul in his letters gives many instructions about Christian living, but he has not left us just a self-help book. Nothing can happen apart from God’s enabling, for the work and word of His truth cannot be done in the flesh. We need His help, strength, and encouragement.

Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, I ask You for encouragement and strength to enable me for every good work and application of Your Word.