1st Thessalonians Chapter 3

From The Open Bible Project

3:1 Therefore, when we couldn't stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,

3:2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;

3:3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task.

• (1) The will of God, who calls his own on this condition, to bring them to glory by affliction, is a most sure remedy against all afflictions.

3:4 For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.

3:5 For this cause I also, when I couldn't stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.

3:6 But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you;

• (2) Because they have to this point gone so well forward, he exhorts them again to make an end of the rest of the journey, seeing that in doing so they will do him their apostle a great pleasure.

3:7 for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith.

3:8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

• (a) For now you cannot otherwise think of me as at rest and in a good state of being, unless you go forward in religion and faith.

3:9 For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God;

3:10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

• (b) Paul was forced through the pressing dealing of the enemies to leave the building which he had just begun: and for that reason he had left Silas and Timothy in Macedonia, and when Timothy came to Athens to him, he sent him back again immediately. So that he desires to see the Thessalonians, that he may thoroughly perfect their faith and religion, that was as yet imperfect.

3:11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you;

3:12 and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you,

• (3) Another part of the epistle, in which he speaks of the duties of a Christian life. And he shows that the perfection of a Christian life consists in two things, that is, in charity toward all men, and inward purity of the heart. And the accomplishment of these things is nonetheless deferred to the next coming of Christ, who will then perfect his work by the same grace with which he began it in us.

3:13 to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.