1 Thessalonians 3:1

1 Thessalonians 3:1

Concern for Their Faith

1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,

2 and sent ^aTimothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,

3 ^athat no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that ^bwe are appointed to this.

4 ^aFor, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.

5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, ^alest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and ^bour labor might be in vain.

Encouraged by Timothy

6 ^aBut now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, ^bas we also to see you—

7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress ^awe were comforted concerning you by your faith.

Commentaries:

Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)

<< 1 Thessalonians 2:20

1 Thessalonians 3:2 >>

When we could no longer forbear (mhketi stegontev). Stegw is old verb to cover from stegh, roof (Mark 2:4), to cover with silence, to conceal, to keep off, to endure as here and I Corinthians 9:12; I Corinthians 13:7. In the papyri in this sense (Moulton and Milligan's Vocabulary). Mhketi usual negative with participle in the Koin‚ rather than ouketi.

We thought it good (hudokhsamen). Either literary plural as in I Thessalonians 2:18 or Paul and Silas as more likely. If so, both Timothy and Silas came to Athens (Acts 17:15 f.), but Timothy was sent (

we sent, epemyamen, verse I Thessalonians 3:2) right back to Thessalonica and later Paul sent Silas on to Beroea or Thessalonica (verse I Thessalonians 3:5,

I sent, epemya). Then both Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia to Corinth (Acts 18:5).

Alone (monoi). Including Silas.

God's minister (diakonon tou qeou). See on Matthew 22:13 for this interesting word, here in general sense not technical sense of deacon. Some MSS. have

fellow-worker (sunergon). Already

apostle in I Thessalonians 2:7 and now

brother, minister (and possibly

fellow-worker).

**Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 1 Thessalonians 3:1:**

Acts 17:10
Acts 17:16
1 Corinthians 13:7
1 Thessalonians 1:1
Titus 1:5

<< 1 Thessalonians 2:20

1 Thessalonians 3:2 >>

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Concern for Their Faith

Encouraged by Timothy