1 Thessalonians 3
About 1 ThessaloniansWritten by AI
First Thessalonians is likely one of the earliest letters Paul wrote, around AD 50 or 51, and may be the oldest book in the New Testament. Paul, Silas, and Timothy are named as senders. They had planted the church in Thessalonica, a busy port city in northern Greece, but were forced to leave after only a short time.
Worried about the young believers facing pressure without them, Paul sent Timothy back to check on them. Timothy returned with good news, and this letter is Paul's relieved and affectionate reply. He encourages them to keep going, answers questions about how to live, and comforts them about believers who have died.
The first three chapters are personal, full of thanks and memories. The last two teach. Watch for how each chapter ends with the Lord's coming, and how that hope is meant to bring comfort, not fear.
Before you read 1 Thessalonians 3Written by AI
Unable to bear the waiting, Paul stayed in Athens and sent Timothy to strengthen the church and see how they were holding up under trial. Timothy has now returned with good news of their faith and love, and of their warm memories of Paul. Paul is overjoyed and prays to see them again and that their love would overflow.
Timothy’s Visit
So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens. We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this. Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass. For 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.
Timothy’s Encouraging Report
But 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. For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith. For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord.
How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith.
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. And 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, so 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.