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These two verses contain the inscription of this epistle in the very same words with the former, in the foregoing epistle.
In which observe, 1. The writer of the epistle, St. Paul, joining himself with his two assocites, Silvanus or Silas, and Timotheus or Timothy.
2. To whom it was written, To the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father, that is, established in the knowledge of God the Father, and in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. The usual salutation, Grace and peace, under which are comprehended all spiritual and temporal blessings: and these are set forth as flowing to us; first, from their fountain, God the Father: secondly, from their means of conveyance, Jesus Christ, as Mediator; intimating, that whatever spiritual grace or temporal blessing we now receive from God, we have it from him, not barely, as a Creator, but as a Father, as a gracious Father in Christ, in and through whom all kinds of blessings are conveyed to us.
Now, 1. From St. Paul's using the very same form of words in this epistle, which he had made use of in the former, we may observe, That the Holy Spirit of God, in inditing of the scriptures, did not so much regard variety of words and style, as the purpose intended by those words; and accordingly the ministers of Christ, in the expounding and explaining of the scriptures, should rather study solidity of matter, than variety of expression, or elegance of style; it was none of the apostle's business, God grant that it may be none of ours, to please the wanton wits and gratify the luxuriant fancies of men, with a pompous sound of words; but solidly to instruct them in the great and necessary duties of the gospel, and to furnish them with the strongest arguments and motives to a good life. Plain truths, without any art or varnish, may be conveyed with more warmth and vigour to the conscience,than all the charms of human eloquence from the most fluent and popular tongue. But though we must come in plainness, yet not in rudeness of speech.
Note, 2. From St. Paul's writing this epistle to the Thessalonians, when he ws providentially hindered in his purpose of coming to them, and preaching amongst them, we may learn, That as the wisdom of God has appointed several means for the edification of his church, sometimes preaching, at other times writing, so the ministers of Christ are obliged and bound to endeavour the church's edification by all means: when they cannot do it by public preaching, to endeavour it by writing: and when they can by both, their labours from the press, and from the pulpit, should be jointly employed in the church's service.