Bible Commentaries
1 Thessalonians 3

Verse 1

1) "Wherefore when we could no longer forbear" (dio meketi stegontes) "wherefore when we could no longer bear up", keep on bearing up, or were not able to bear. Anxiety and concern of Paul and his missionary helpers for the brethren left behind in Thessalonica was too great for them all to leave or stay away for long.

2) "We thought it good" (eudokesamen) "We were well pleased", satisfied-The Missionaries with Paul conferred over how and who of them should remain to comfort and teach the Thessalonian brethren, Acts 17:15; 1 Thessalonians 3:2.

3) "To be left at Athens alone"; (katalephtherai en Athenais Monoi) "to be left in Athens alone;- while Timothy left Thessalonica and joined Paul and Silas in Berea, he later returned to Thessalonica. Paul was accompanied to Athens by unnamed brethren there left alone, while he awaited the coming of Timothy and Silas, who soon joined him in Corinth. Acts 17:10; Acts 17:15; It was alone in Athens God moved and used Paul to preach the mighty message from Mars Hill, on the subject of "The unknown God", Acts 17:6-34.

Verse 2

1 ) "And sent Timotheus, our brother" (kai epempsamen Timotheon) "And (we) sent Timothy, our brother", "Sent" is here used in the sense that he was asked of Paul to help in Thessalonians, and was willing.

2) "And minister of God" (kai sunergon tou theou)

and common fellow-worker of God". Paul and his missionary companions held the higher concept that they were workers or laborers of God--not of one another, one above, over, or under another. 1 Corinthians 3:9.

3) "And our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ" (en to evangelis tou Christou) "in the good news (gospel) of Christ"; all these laborers of God, missionaries in action, gave themselves to evangelism--the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and Christian church duty. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 3:21; 2 Thessalonians 1:8.

4) "To establish you" (eis to seriksai humas) "For to establish you"; to cause to be fixed, set, or strengthened in the doctrines, morals, and ethics of Jesus Christ and the Church He established, Romans 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; James 5:8.

5) "And to comfort you concerning your faith"’(kai parakalesai huper tes pisteos humon) "And to exhort (you) on behalf of your faith", to call along, forward, progressively in one’s knowledge of and obedience to the system of teachings of Christ, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 1 Peter 3:15; 1 Peter 3:18.

Verse 3

1) "That no man should be moved" (to medena sainesthai) "no one to be drawn aside," caused to turn back into the world because of disappointments, troubles, trials, or faith misplaced in men, Ephesians 3:13; 1 Corinthians 4:9-16.

2) "By these afflictions" (en tais thlipsesin tautais) "by these troubles, afflictions, or tribulations", to which each child of God is heir, to lead him to a life of patience in the Master’s service. Our Lord, the apostles, and the disciples experienced such, endured them. John 16:2; 2 Timothy 3:12; Romans 5:3-5.

3) "For yourselves know" (autoi gar oidate) "for (you) yourselves know or perceive", because he had taught them, even as others, Romans 8:17.

4) "That we are appointed thereto" (hoti eis touto kemetha) "That to this (end) we are appointed"; Matthew 10:22; John 16:18-21; John 16:33. The truly sanctified one, dedicated and enlightened, should reflect resignation to the will of God for his life, with joy, even in tribulation, Romans 5:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Hebrews 13:3-5.

MINISTERS OF JOY

Some men move through life as a band of music moves down the street, flinging out pleasure on every side through the air to every one, far and near, that can listen. Some men fill the air with their presence and sweetness, as orchards in October days fill the air with perfume of ripe fruit. Some women cling to their own houses, like the honeysuckle over the door, yet like it, sweeten all the region with the subtle fragrance of their goodness. There are trees of righteousness which are ever dropping precious fruit around them. There are lives that shine like star-beams, or charm the heart like songs sung upon a holy day. How great a bounty and a blessing it is to hold the royal gifts of the soul so that they shall be music to some and fragrance to others, and life to all! It would be no unworthy thing to live for, to make the power which we have within us the breath of other men’s joy; to scatter sunshine where only clouds and shadows reign; to fill the atmosphere where earth’s weary toilers must stand with a brightness which they cannot create for themselves, and -which they long for, enjoy, and appreciate.

-Beecher

Verse 4

1) "For verily, when we were with you" (kai gar hote pros humas emen) "For even when we were with you all", in Thessalonica, with threats and persecutions around them (Acts 17:1-4), as they preached the Gospel in the Synagogue and in Jason’s home.

2) "We told you before" (proelegomen humin) "we told you before (then)." The knowledgeable and God-called missionary to the Gentiles, related former persecution experiences that he, his companions, and their Lord had endured, Acts 14:19-20; Acts 16:30-34; John 15:20.

3) "That we should suffer tribulation" (hoti mellomen thlibesthai) "that we (are about) to be afflicted". From past experiences, and a knowledge of the Word of God, Paul sought to help the Thessalonians to understand that doing the will of God brought hatred of the world and victory in the Lord, to-wit: Joseph, Job, Moses, Daniel, and Jesus.

4) "Even as it came to pass, and ye know" (kathos kai egeneto kai oidate) "as indeed ye even know (that) it happened"; When he was driven by death-danger and threats both in Thessalonica and Berea, shortly thereafter, Acts 17:5-15. True pastors, missionaries, and Bible teachers forewarn and forearm their people regarding certain trials and persecutions that confront them, assuring them that such, rightly endured, brings rewards, 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

MINISTERS TO WARN

The Minister’s people to be warned by him of future sufferings. (1) It is the duty of ministers to warn young converts of the difficulties of the Christian life. They must be taught that a suffering hour will come, and they must expect it. (2) When Christians have received these warnings, they should forearm themselves, and not sink under trials when they come. (3) The heavier these trials are, the greater will the reward be--for light affliction we shall have an eternal weight of glory.

-W. Burkitt

Verse 5

1) "For this cause, when I could no longer forbear" (dia touto kago meketi stegon) "Therefore I also no longer bearing up", 1 Thessalonians 3:1. Because Paul cared for the lives of these brethren he was willing to be alone, deprived of the help of other Missionary brethren, that the weaker in Christ might be helped in Thessalonica, Romans 15:1.

2) "I sent to know your faith" (epempsa eis to gnonai ten pistin humon) "I sent to know your faith", how they held together under pressure of persecution. He yearned to know of their physical, emotional, spiritual, and doctrinal welfare, 1 Thessalonians 3:2.

3) "Lest by some means the tempter have tempted you" (me pos epeirasen humas ho peirazon) "Lest somehow the tempter tempting you all"; Paul held a Godly care and jealousy for each church, as the bride of Christ, in each locality, 2 Corinthians 11:1-4. He desired that they be armed against enemies of Christ, Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Timothy 4:1-3.

4) "And our labour be in vain" (kai eis kenon genetoi ho kopos hemon) "and our labour become in vain", empty, barren, or unfruitful, lest the Church have its candlestick, bridal state, removed, and the church members lose their personal available rewards, through building a life on moral and religious wood, hay, and stubble, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 John 1:8; Revelation 2:8; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 2:5; Galatians 4:10-11.

Verse 6

1) "But now when Timotheus came from you unto us" (arti de elthontos Timothesu pros hemas aph’ humon) "But now when Timothy came to us from you all", from the Church which carried on an orderly program of worship, praise, and service to the Lord. Paul was in Corinth, staying in the home of Aquilla and Priscilla, making tents when Timothy came from Thessalonica.

2) "And brought us good tidings" (kai evangelisamenou hemin) "and delivered us good news", that the brethren of Thessalonica were devoutly true to Christ, Acts 18:1-5.

3) "Of your faith and charity" (ten pistin kai ten agapen humon) "of your faith and love", two of the three spiritual gifts, excelling all other Christian virtues, 1 Corinthians 13:13; 2 Peter 1:5-12.

4) "And that ye have good remembrance of us always" (kai hote echete mneian hemon agathen pantote) "and that you all hold a good remembrance (high esteem) of us always" To think, remember, and speak well of those who won one to Christ and Church truth is a noble thing, giving honor to whom honor is due, Romans 13:7-8; Revelation 3:3.

5) "Desiring greatly to see us" (epipothountes hemas idein) "longing to see us"; Paul responded by letter immediately upon receiving this message brought by Timothy. Next thing to see those we love far away is to receive a warm letter such as this.

6) "As we also to see you". (kathaper kai hemeis humas) "Even as we also long to see you all"; Missionaries, true to God, long to return to fields oi long service so often, Philippians 1:8.

Verse 7

1) "Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you" (dia touto pareklethemen adelphoi aph’ humin) "Therefore (on account of this) we were comforted over you, brethren"; by the report Timothy brought them in Corinth, from where he wrote this letter, Acts 18:5.

2) "In all our affliction and distress" (epi pose te anage kai thlippei hemon) "in all our distress and affliction". The afflictions Paul and his Missionary companions had were more easily borne because of the faith and prayers of the Thessalonians, 2 Corinthians 7:6-7.

3) "By your faith (dia tes hemon pisteos) "through the faith of you", the testimony Timothy and Silas brought of the faith of the Thessalonian brethren; They were being built up in the faith, 1 Corinthians 16:13; Philippians 1:27.

Verse 8

1) "For now we live" (hoti nun zomen) "because now (and hereafter) we live"; The missionaries felt that they lived on, progressively, and continually in the lives of their followers, as they followed Christ, 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Galatians 6:14; Philippians 4:1.

2) "If ye stand fast in the Lord" (ean humeis stekete en kuris) "If you all stand in a lordly way", or in the Lord, upright, progressively, Ephesians 6:13-14. Only to the extent that souls are saved and faithful in standing up for the Lord, does the work of the Missionary live on to produce dividends for him in eternity. Let him build well. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15; 2 John 1:8.

Verse 9

1) "For what thanks" (tina gar eucharistian) "For what thanks or gratitude"; It was as if Paul could not marshal or call to mind the high quality of gratitude he wanted to express to the faithful Thessalonian brethren and to God.

2) "Can we render to God again for you" (durametha to Theo antapodounai peri humon) "Are we able to return to God concerning you"; To live to old age in confidence that one has succeeded in his one great aim in life in helping others to know and follow the Lord, must call forth gratitude 2 Corinthians 9:15.

3) "For all the joy" (epi pase te chara) "over all the joy"; or for the joy upon joy, abounding, bubbling over joy; John 3:29; 2 John 1:12.

4) "Wherewith we joy" (he chairomen) "with which we rejoice" 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20; Judges 1:24; John 15:11; John 16:24; 1 Peter 4:13.

5) "For your sakes before our God" (di ’ humas emprosthen thou theou hemon) "because of you all before our God"; as upright walking children are a joy to parents in old age; as successful former students are objects of a teacher’s pride in old age; as super-star athletes become objects of a former coach’s pride, so successful, persevering, happy church saints bring abounding joy to their pastor, missionaries, and former pastors who helped them, then learn of their later faithfulness, Galatians 6:9; 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

Verse 10

1) "Night and day praying exceedingly" (nuktos kai hemeras huperkperissou deomenoi) "night and day petitioning exceedingly"; Personal Christian maturity in Christian virtues for the glory of God was the continuing prayer of Paul for these brethren, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; 2 Peter 1:5-11.

2) "That we might see your face" (eis to idein humon to prosopon) "in order to see your face," or you all face to face, a prayer for intimate, personal fellowship presence once again, Romans 1:11.

"There is nothing so small but that we may honor God by asking His guidance of it, or insult Him by taking it into our own hands."

-Ruskin

3) "And might perfect that which is lacking" (kai katartisai ta husteremata) "and to adjust or amend the shortcomings"; After praise and thanksgiving for their loyalty to Christ, Paul cautiously turned to correct, through this letter, certain weaknesses in their understanding of doctrines and life.

4) "In your faith?" (tes pisteos humon) "of the faith (system of teachings) of you all"; our standard or goal for Christian maturity, as commended of our Lord, Matthew 5:48. Though none may reach it in the flesh, it is a goal to which each Christian should strive. See also 2 Corinthians 13:9.

Verse 11

1) "Now God himself" (autos de ho Theos) "now God, himself"; the very "elohim", Godhead, the Trinitarian Deity of unity, Acts 17:29.

2) "And our Father" (Kai pater hemon) "Even our Father"; the affectionate protector to whom children turn with their fears, Romans 8:15.

3) "And our Lord Jesus Christ" (kai ho kurios humon lesous) "and our Lord Jesus"; the term "Christ" is omitted in the original text. Perhaps Paul deliberately used the term "Lord Jesus," meaning your "Savior and present Master", direct you. The "Christ", anointed one, is to direct us in the golden millennial age, 1 Corinthians 15:25.

4) "Direct our way unto you" (kateuthunai ten hodon hemon pros humas) "May he direct our way (journey) to you all." It is both a Divine and practical thought that God can and does direct or guide and protect His children in their travels, Psalms 34:7; Exodus 33:14-15; Proverbs 3:5-6.

Verse 12

1) "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love" (humas de ho kurios pleonasai) "and may the Lord make you to abound, to go on", (Kai perisseusai te agape) "even to increase or be multiplied in love"; a token of God’s indwelling in the professed believer, 1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:12.

2) "One toward another" (eis allelous) "to or toward one another", in the church, and in Christian conduct. This is a most powerful means by which the world may be convicted that one is a child of God, John 13:34-35.

3) "And toward all men" (kai dis pantes) "and to all men"; as God loved all men, the whole world, even the unlovely, so should God’s children, John 3:16; Romans 3:14-15.

4) "Even as we do toward you" (kathaper kai hemeis eis humas) "Even as also we (increase) in love toward you all"; as Christians grow in love for Christ they must also increase in love for one another and for the lost, Romans 13:8; Ephesians 6:24; 1 Peter 2:17; This love must also extend to ones enemies, Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27.

Verse 13

1) "To the end he may stablish your hearts" (eis to steriksai humon tes kardias) "to establish your hearts, affections;" Love is a stabilizer of one’s affections in holy thoughts and deeds, 2 Thessalonians 2:17; 1 John 3:20.

2) "Unblameable in holiness" (amemptous en hagiosure) "blameless in holiness"; so that there may be no indictable charge of unholy living brought against any child of God.

3) "Before God, even our Father" (emprosthen tou theou kai patros hemon) "Before God, even our Father", the Father of us, before whom all shall one day stand to be judged, Romans 14:11-12.

4) "At the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ", (en te parousia tou kuriou hemon lesou) "in (at) the body presence of us, at the body presence of Jesus that the judgment seat of Christ shall be set in the presence of God, when Jesus shall judge each of His children for granting or loss of rewards, 2 Corinthians 5:10-12.

5) "With all his saints" (meta panton ton agion autou) with all his holy ones"; all the redeemed shall be judged, those of Israel, the Gentile world outside the church, and those who are members of His church, for rewards and positions of service in His coming, kingdom, 1 Corinthians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 13-15; 1 Corinthians 10:32; 2 Corinthians 11:1-2; Revelation 19:5-9.