1 Thessalonians 3 ESV
1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? 11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Discussion Questions
For what purposes did Paul send Timothy to Thessalonica?
In verse 10 Paul says that he wants to supply what is lacking in the brethren at Thessalonica. Some have called verses 11 to 13 a prayer by Paul for the Thessalonian brethren. What did this prayer reveal about what the brethren were lacking?
Personal Application: How should we apply this prayer to ourselves?
Discussion Summary
Paul was concerned about the state of the Thessalonian brethren. Unable to visit them, he sent Timothy (2 Timothy 2-5) to find out how they were doing and report back to him. Paul was in considerable suspense and worry until at length he heard back from Timothy. To Paul these brethren were his babes, a relationship that is often used between teachers and congregation (1 Peter 2:2).
Being a believer is much more than just joining a church. Paul wanted to see if these new believers were still standing firm and were not agitated by their troubles. He wanted to see if they were increasing in love. He wanted to see if their change of heart condition was being maintained. He wanted to see if his ministry continued to bear fruit.
Once Paul was assured by Timothy that they were doing well spiritually, he praised them and gave thanks to God for their condition. He then pointed out areas that they needed to continue to hold fast in: Love for each other, prophetic understanding and holy living. Their love (4:9) and their prophetic understanding (5:1) were being maintained and could be added to which he will do in chapter 4. Paul will also give them counsel as to their lifestyle which needs to be holy and blameless. They had begun to change their lives but needed to be “sanctified completely” (5:23).
The question for us is: Are we building and maintaining our faith every day?
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