1 Thessalonians — Chapter 3
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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:
3That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
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.
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.
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:
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?
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:
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.
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;
3that no man be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that hereunto we are appointed.
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.
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.
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;
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?
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;
13to the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
1So when we could bear it no longer, we decided to stay on in Athens alone.
2We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith,
3so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.
4For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know.
5So when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter somehow tempted you and our toil had proven useless.
6But now Timothy has come to us from you and given us the good news of your faith and love and that you always think of us with affection and long to see us just as we also long to see you!
7So in all our distress and affliction, we were reassured about you, brothers and sisters, through your faith.
8For now we are alive again if you stand firm in the Lord.
9For how can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel because of you before our God?
10We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person and make up what may be lacking in your faith.
11Now may God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you.
12And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you,
13so that your hearts are strengthened in holiness to be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
1Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,
2and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;
3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task.
4For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.
5For this cause I also, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.
6But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you;
7for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith.
8For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
9For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice 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?
11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to 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,
13to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Summary
Paul sent Timothy to strengthen the Thessalonians during persecution, rejoices at Timothy's good report of their faith, and prays that the Lord would cause them to increase and abound in love for one another and for all.
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- Athens (v.1): Greek city; Paul preached there at the Areopagus.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers Paul's anxiety, Timothy's mission, the good report, and Paul's prayer for love and holiness.
- Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "Appointed to Affliction" on v.3 (MTP Vol. 20, No. 1185) "We are appointed thereunto. Affliction is not an accident — it is an appointment. God has scheduled your trials as surely as He has scheduled your blessings. The same hand that writes your joys writes your sorrows. Knowing this changes everything: you are not a victim of random misfortune but a child under a Father's wise discipline."
Videos
The Bible Project — 1 Thessalonians Overview
Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)
Reflection
- 1. "We are appointed thereunto" (v.3). Suffering is not accidental — it's appointed. How does knowing this change your response to trials? Does it bring comfort or raise questions?
- 2. "Now we live, if ye stand fast" (v.8). Paul's joy was tied to their faithfulness. Whose spiritual growth brings you joy? Whose faithfulness gives you life? Are you investing in others at that level?
- 3. "Increase and abound in love" (v.12). Love should be growing — not static. Is your love increasing? Toward fellow believers? Toward "all men" — including difficult people and outsiders?
- 4. "Unblameable in holiness... at the coming of our Lord" (v.13). If Christ returned today, would your heart be found "unblameable in holiness"? What needs to change to be ready?