1 Thessalonians 3:5

1 Thessalonians 3:5

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.

8 For now we live, if you ^astand fast in the Lord.

9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,

10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face ^aand perfect what is lacking in your faith?

Commentaries:

Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown

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For this cause—Because I know of your "tribulation" having actually begun (I Thessalonians 3:4).

when I—Greek, "when I also (as well as Timothy, who, Paul delicately implies, was equally anxious respecting them, compare "we," I Thessalonians 3:1), could no longer contain myself (endure the suspense)."

I sent—Paul was the actual sender; hence the "I" here: Paul, Silas, and Timothy himself had agreed on the mission already, before Paul went to Athens: hence the "we," (see on I Thessalonians 3:1).

to know—to learn the state of your faith, whether it stood the trial (Colossians 4:8).

lest . . . have tempted . . . and . . . be—The indicative is used in the former sentence, the subjunctive in the latter. Translate therefore, "To know . . . whether haply the tempter have tempted you (the indicative implying that he supposed such was the case), and lest (in that case) our labor may prove to be in vain" (compare Galatians 4:11). Our labor in preaching would in that case be vain, so far as ye are concerned, but not as concerns us in so far as we have sincerely labored (Isaiah 49:4; I Corinthians 3:8).

**Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Thessalonians 3:5:**

Acts 16:3
Acts 18:5-6
1 Thessalonians 1:6
1 Thessalonians 2:9
1 Thessalonians 3:1
1 Thessalonians 3:1

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