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1 Thessalonians

Chapter 3

Strengthened Faith and Overflowing Love

Unable to bear the uncertainty any longer, Paul says he sent Timothy from Athens to strengthen and encourage the Thessalonians in their faith so that they would not be unsettled by affliction. Timothy's good report about their faith, love, and continuing affection has now brought Paul and his companions comfort and renewed joy in the midst of their own distress. The chapter ends as Paul turns that relief into prayer, asking that God would open the way for reunion, cause their love to overflow, and establish their hearts in holiness at the coming of the Lord Jesus.

This chapter bridges the letter's recollection of past ministry and its coming exhortations. It shows that Paul's teaching and affection are both aimed at one end: a church that stands firm in faith and grows in love while waiting for Christ's return.

2 sections·307 words·~1 min read

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1 Thessalonians 3

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vv. 1-5

Timothy’s Visit

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S1o when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens. 2We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

3so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this. 4Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass. 5For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and that our labor might have been in vain.

vv. 6-13

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

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B6ut just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you. 7For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith. 8For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord.

9How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith.

11Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. 12And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows, 13so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.

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  1. 01vv. 1-5Timothy’s VisitPaul explains that when he could no longer endure the uncertainty of separation, he chose to remain behind and send Timothy to strengthen and encourage the Thessalonians in their faith. The purpose was to keep them from being shaken by the afflictions that had come, since suffering was already part of what Paul had warned them to expect, and he feared the tempter might have undermined their faith and rendered the labor fruitless.
  2. 02vv. 6-13Timothy’s Encouraging ReportTimothy's return has brought Paul good news about the Thessalonians' faith, love, and warm remembrance, and that report has brought fresh comfort in the middle of Paul's own distress. Their standing firm in the Lord has become a source of life and joy for him, and he turns at once to thankful prayer that he may see them again, supply what is lacking in their faith, and see the Lord establish them in overflowing love and holiness for the coming of Jesus.
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