Now God himself even our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
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Ambrose of Milan
AD 397
Again, this is said that you may know that the Father is, and the Son is, and that the work of the Father and the Son is one. Note the saying of the apostle, “Now may God himself, and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way to you.” Both Father and Son are named, but there is unity of direction, because there is unity of power. So also in another place we read, “Now may our Lord himself, Jesus Christ, and God and our Father, who has loved us, and given us eternal consolation, and good hope in grace, console and strengthen your hearts.” How perfect a unity it is that the apostle presents to us, insomuch that the fountain of consolation is one fountain, not many. Let doubt be silenced, then, or if it will not be overcome by reason, let the thought of our Lord’s gracious kindness incline it in the right direction. .
For one and the same grace is from the Father in the Son, as the light of the sun and the sun’s radiance is one, and as the sun’s illumination is effected through the radiance. So too when Paul prays for the Thessalonians, in saying, “Now God himself our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, may he direct our way to you,” he has guarded the unity of the Father and of the Son. For he has not said, “May they direct,” as if a double grace were given from two sources … but “May he direct,” to show that the Father gives grace through the Son—at which these irreligious ones will not blush, though they well might. .
This is a proof of excessive love, that he not only prays for them by himself, but even in his Epistles inserts his prayer This argues a fervent soul, and one truly not to be restrained. This is a proof of the prayers made there also, and at the same time also an excuse, as showing that it was not voluntarily, nor from indolence, that they did not go to them. As if he had said, May God Himself cut short the temptations that everywhere distract us, so that we may come directly to you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound. Do you see the unrestrainable madness of love that is shown by his words? Make you to increase and abound, instead of cause you to grow. As if one should say, that with a kind of superabundance he desires to be loved by them. Even as we do also toward you, he says. Our part is already done, we pray that yours may be done. Do you see how he wishes love to be extended, not only toward one another, but everywhere? For this truly is the nature of godly love, that i...
