Bible Commentaries
1 Thessalonians 3

Verse 1

when, &c . = no longer bearing it, i.e. able to bear it.

no longer . Greek. meketi.

forbear = bear. See 1 Corinthians 9:12 .

thought it good = were well pleased. Same as "were willing" (1 Thessalonians 2:8 ).

Athens . See Acts 17:15 , Acts 17:16 . When Silas and Timothy joined Paul, he and Silas must have agreed to dispatch Timothy to Thessalonica, and then Silas must have departed on some other mission. See in 1 Thessalonians 3:5 the change from "we" to "I".

Verse 2

sent . App-174 .

minister . App-190 .

God . App-98 .

fellowlabourer . Greek. sunergos. See 1 Corinthians 3:9 . The texts vary here.

gospel . App-140 .

Christ . App-98 .

to, &c . = with a view to (Greek. eis) establishing.

comfort: or, exhort . App-134 .

concerning . App-104 ., but the texts read huper ( App-104 .)

faith . App-150 .

Verse 3

no man . Greek. medeia.

moved: or, agitated. Greek. saino. Only here.

afflictions . Greek. thlipsis. See 1 Thessalonians 1:6 .

know . App-132 .

are appointed . Literally lie. Greek. keimai. Compare Luke 2:34 .Philippians 1:1 , Philippians 1:17 .

thereunto = unto ( App-104 .) this.

Verse 4

told . . . before = foretold. Greek. prolego. See 2 Corinthians 13:2 .

should = were about to.

suffer, &c . = be afflicted. Greek. thlibo .

came to pass . Add "also".

Verse 5

For this cause = On account of ( App-104 . 1 Thessalonians 3:2 ) this.

know . App-132 .

lest, &c . Greek. me pos.

have . Omit.

in vain . See 1 Thessalonians 2:1 , and compare 2 Corinthians 6:1 .Galatians 1:2 , Galatians 1:2 .Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:16 .

Verse 6

brought . . . good tiding s. App-121 . The only place, save Luke 1:19 , where euangelizo does not refer to the gospel.

charity = love. App-135 .

always . App-151 .

desiring greatly . Greek. epipotheo. See Romans 1:11 .

see . App-133 .

Verse 7

Therefore . Same as "For this cause", 1 Thessalonians 3:5 .

over . App-104 .

in . Same as "over".

distress = necessity, as 1 Corinthians 7:26 .

Verse 8

live . See App-170 .

if . App-118 .

stand fast . Greek. steko. See Philippians 1:4 , Philippians 1:1 .

Lord . App-98 .

Verse 9

for . App-104 .

for . App-104 .

for your sakes = on account of ( App-104 . 1 Thessalonians 3:2 ) you.

Verse 10

praying . App-134 .

exceedingly . Greek. huper ( App-104 .) ek ( App-104 .) perissou. Most of the texts read as one word. See Ephesians 3:20 .

that we might . Literally for ( App-104 .) the seeing ( App-133 .)

perfect . App-125 :8.

that, &c . = the shortcomings. Greek. husterema. See 1 Corinthians 16:17 .

in = of.

Verse 11

Father . App-98 .

Lord . App-98 .

Jesus Christ . App-98 . but the texts omit "Christ" here and 1 Thessalonians 3:13 .

direct . Greek. kateuthuno. Here; 2 Thessalonians 3:5 .Luke 1:79 . Compare euthuno in John 1:23 and James 3:4 .

Verse 12

increase . Greek. pleonazo. See Romans 5:20 .

love . Same as "charity", 1 Thessalonians 3:6 .

toward . App-104 .

we = we also.

Verse 13

To the end . App-104 .

stablish Greek. sterizo. See Romans 1:11 .

unblameable . Greek. amemptos. See Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:15 .

holiness . Greek. hagiosune . See Romans 1:4 .

before . See John 12:37 .

coming . Greek. parousia. Compare 1 Thessalonians 2:19 .

saints . See Acts 9:13 .