Bible Commentaries
1 Thessalonians 3

Verses 1-13

The Apostle’s Anxiety about his Converts

1. Forbear] better, ’endure the suspense.’

2. Our fellow-labourer] better, ’God’s fellow-worker’ or ’minister,’ RV.

3. Should be moved] better, ’led astray.’ Afflictions] at the hands of Jews and Gentiles: see Acts 17:5.

6. Now when] better, ’as soon as.’ Charity] RV ’love.’

8. We live] it puts new life in us. If ye stand fast] better, ’if only ye stand fast.’ The Gk. expresses some doubt and anxiety.

10. ’I pray unceasingly and urgently to the end that I may see you again and correct your shortcomings.’ The prayer was answered after some years (Acts 20:1-2).

11-13. A prayer to Christ as co-equal with the Father, with which the first section of the Epistle ends: cp. 2 Thessalonians 2:16.

11. The verb is in the singular, emphasising the reference to Christ, who is also called ’the Lord’ in 1 Thessalonians 3:12. The keynote of these Epistles is again struck at the concluding words of the prayer, ’at the coming’ (lit. ’presence’) ’of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints’ (cp. 1 Thessalonians 2:19).