Comfort your hearts
That is, apply the comfort given, and cause it to be received,
which unbelief is apt to refuse; and increase it, by shedding
abroad the love of Christ, and of the Father; by the discoveries
of pardoning grace; by the application of Gospel promises; by the
word and ordinances, which are breasts of consolation; and by
indulging with the gracious presence, and comfortable communion
of Father, Son, and Spirit. The Arabic version reads, "comfort
your hearts by his grace", joining the last clause of the
preceding verse to this. This petition stands opposed to a being
troubled and distressed about the sudden coming of Christ, as the
following one does to a being shaken in mind on that account, (
2
Thessalonians 2:2 ) .
And stablish you in every good word and work;
that is, in every good word of God, or truth of the Gospel, which
contains good tidings of good things, so as not to waver about
them, or stagger in them, or to depart from them; in practice of
every duty, so as to be steadfast, and immoveable, and always
abounding therein; good words and good works, principles and
practices, should go together, and the saints stand in need of
stability in both. For though, as to their state and condition,
they are established in the love of God, in the covenant of
grace, in the arms of Christ, and in him the foundation, so as
they can never be removed; yet they are often very unstable, not
only in their frames, and in the exercise of grace, but in their
attachment and adherence to the Gospel and interest of Christ,
and in the discharge of duty.