1 Thessalonians 3
Big idea: The relational narrative reaches its climax and resolution. Unable to bear the separation or return himself, Paul sent Timothy to strengthen the church and to find out whether their faith had survived the affliction he had warned them to expect. Timothy's return with good news — their faith and love intact, their memory of Paul warm — brings Paul back to life: 'now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.' The chapter, and the letter's first half, closes in a prayer that God would clear a path back to them, make their love overflow, and establish their hearts blameless in holiness for the coming of the Lord.
The closing prayer that the Lord would make them 'increase and abound in love' and be 'blameless in holiness' at his coming (3:12–13) states the goals; chapter 4 turns them into concrete instruction — how to walk, love, and be sanctified.
3:1–5 — Sending Timothy
Paul explains the decision behind the mission. When he 'couldn't stand it any longer,' he chose to be left alone at Athens and send Timothy — 'our brother and God's servant in the Good News' — to establish and comfort the church about their faith, so that no one would be 'moved by these afflictions.' He reminds them this suffering was no surprise: he had told them beforehand they were 'appointed' to it, and so it happened. The real fear driving him surfaces in v. 5: dread that 'the tempter' might have shaken their faith and left the whole labor in vain.
1 Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone, 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 that no one would be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task. 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. 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.
3:6–10 — Timothy's good report
Relief floods in. Timothy has 'just now come' with 'glad news of your faith and love,' reporting that the Thessalonians remember Paul warmly and long to see him as much as he longs for them. In his own distress and affliction, their faith has become Paul's comfort — indeed his very life: 'now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.' Overflowing gratitude turns back into prayer: what thanks can repay such joy? And night and day he prays 'exceedingly' for two things — to see their face again, and to 'perfect that which is lacking' in their faith.
6 But Timothy has just now come 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. 7 For this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we give again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
3:11–13 — Prayer: love and holiness for his coming
The letter's first half closes in a formal prayer-wish. Paul asks that God the Father and the Lord Jesus themselves 'direct our way to you' — that the road Satan blocked be opened. Then he prays for the church directly: that the Lord make them 'increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all men,' modeled on the missionaries' own love for them. The goal is eschatological: an overflowing love that establishes 'your hearts blameless in holiness' before God 'at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.'
11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 12 May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all men, even as we also do toward you, 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.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).
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