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1 Thessalonians

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1 Thessalonians 3

1Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone; 2and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s minister in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;

1Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

2And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

Commentary · verses 1-2

Paul sent Timothy there to establish and comfort them concerning their faith.

3that no man be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that hereunto we are appointed.

3That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

Commentary · verse 3

Paul did not want them to backslide because of persecution. If the Thessalonians had not planted God's Word in their hearts in "good" ground, persecution could have caused them to stumble. See Matthew 13:1-23: the Parable of the Sower.

4For verily, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

4For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

Commentary · verse 4

Paul had warned the Thessalonians, when he was with them, that they would suffer persecution…and it came to pass.

5For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.

5For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

Commentary · verse 5

Paul wanted to know if the work he did there was made unprofitable by the "tempter."

6But when Timothy came even now unto us from you, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, even as we also to see you;

6But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

Commentary · verse 6

Timothy delivered good news concerning the faith and love of the Thessalonians.

7for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith: 8for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

9For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 10night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

7Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

8For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

9For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

10Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Commentary · verses 7-10

Paul was praying that he might perfect (maximum profitability) what was lacking in their faith.

11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you: 12and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you;

11Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

12And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

Commentary · verses 11-12

Love comes by the Lord working through us.

13to the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

13To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Commentary · verse 13

Theme of Chapter 3: Paul reminded them he had warned them of persecution. Not only had the persecution come, but Timothy reported that they were still strong in the faith.

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