1:4 So that we ourselves glory. On account of these things he spoke their praises in the churches, those of Achaia, where he then was. It is always a stimulus to report to the churches the good work elsewhere,
Churches of God. A designation given by the apostles to the churches oftener than any other (Ac 20:28 1Co 1:2 10:32 11:16,22 15:09 2Co 1:1 Ga 1:13 1Th 2:14 2Th 1:4 1Ti 3:5), though also spoken of as churches of Christ (Ro 16:16).
Your patience. There was a patient endurance of trial for Christ.
1:4 Which ye endure - That ye may be accounted worthy of the kingdom.
1:1-4 Where there is the truth of grace, there will be an increase of it. The path of the just is as the shining light, which shines more and more unto the perfect day. And where there is the increase of grace, God must have all the glory. Where faith grows, love will abound, for faith works by love. It shows faith and patience, such as may be proposed as a pattern for others, when trials from God, and persecutions from men, quicken the exercise of those graces; for the patience and faith of which the apostle gloried, bore them up, and enabled them to endure all their tribulations.
