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| Chapter 3 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ Therefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God and our fellow laborer in the Gospel of Christ, to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith, 3 that no man should be moved by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that thereunto we are appointed. 4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we should suffer tribulation, even as it came to pass, as ye know. 5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor be in vain. 6 ¶ But now that Timothy has come from you unto us, and has brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have a good remembrance of us always and desire greatly to see us (as we also desire to see you), 7 therefore brethren, we were comforted concerning you in all our affliction and distress by your faith; 8 for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you for all the joy wherewith we rejoice for your sakes before our God, 10 as we pray earnestly night and day that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? 11 ¶ Now may God Himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you. 12 And may the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another and toward all men, even as we do toward you, 13 to the end that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. |
v1,2 Paul had arrived in Athens, Acts 17:13-15 but while there he became so concerned for the Thessalonians fellowship that he decided to send Timothy to the church to help in the spiritual warfare occurring, and prepare them for further prosecution expected, see 2 Tim 3:12. This meant that Paul was left alone at Athens. v3,4 When Paul had been at Thessalonica he had given them a warning of coming suffering as part of the coming tribulation. Because of this Paul is now concerned and wants to know how they are dealing with the situation and the actions of Satan, 2 Cor 11:3,4, this could have destroyed all their preaching and the teaching of salvation through Jesus. Consider Gal 4:1-11. v6-8 Timothy has now returned and brought Paul a very good report of the Thessalonians faith and love, still having a very happy memory of the Apostle Paul’s visit, and looking forward to a further visit by him. Paul is very pleased to get this report and it has calmed down his concern for them, they were "standing fast in the Lord," Eph 6:10-18. v9-13 Paul asks a question, "how can we thank God enough for all that has happened to the Thessalonians, for the joy that has been given to Paul for their spiritual growth." Paul is praying "day and night" for them and the chance to visit them, so as to increase their faith and knowledge. v11-13 Paul is making a petition, a request, in his prayers to God, to arrange a visit to the Thessalonians. In addition Paul is asking God to increase the love that exists in the fellowship, so that as a result of this their hearts may become holy (separated) and blameless before God. Looking forward and being ready for the coming return of Jesus, when He comes with any who have died in Christ. |
Easy English Translation
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