1 Thessalonians 3

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

In this chapter the apostle gives further evidence of his love to the Thessalonians, reminding them of his sending Timothe to them, with the mention of his defile interest, and his acculturation as to do, ver. 1—5. By acquainting them of his great satisfaction as the return of Timothy, we have good tidings concerning them, ver. 6—10. And concluded we be forward prayer for them, ver. 11. to the end.

1. Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone: 2. And sent Timotheus our brother and minister of God, and our fellow-labourer 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 yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 4. For verily when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. 5. For this cause when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, left by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

The solicitude which the apostle felt towards them engaged him to send Timothy and be left alone at Athens, however useful or comfortable such a friend at that time might be to him. Wherefore, when we could no longer forbear, so anxious was I to hear of your affairs, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; and sent Timotheus our brother and minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, and this in order to establish you in the truth, to build you up in the glorious doctrines of the gospel of Jesus, and to comfort you concerning your faith, exhorting you to abide unshaken in your profession, and suggesting the most encouraging motives thereto; that no man should be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto, according to God’s eternal counsels, for wise and holy purposes of his own glory. For verily, when we were with you, we concealed nothing from you, but told you plainly before the persecutions came, that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, reflecting upon your very critical and trying circumstances, I sent to know your faith, left by some means the tempter should have tempted you to turn back from the profession of Christ, and our labour be in vain, notwithstanding all the promising appearances which emboldened my confideant hope in your fidelity. Note, (1.) We must count the cost, before we enlist under Christ’s banner. All that will live guilty in him shall suffer persecution. (2.) The devil usually seeks to discourage new converts by the violent opposition which he raises against them. (3.) Faithful members labour to conform the faith and comfort the hearts of those who are suffering for righteousness to take. In this way only can we hope to enter into the kingdom of God.

6. But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, defining greatly to see us, as we also to see you, Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: 8. For now we live, if ye stand full in the Lord. 9. For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God, 10. Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? 11. Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you. 12. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one towards another, and towards all men, even as we do towards you: 13. To the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his faints.

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

The apostle,

1. Expresses the vast satisfaction which he felt at Timothy’s report. But now, when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your unshaken faith in Christ, and fervent charity towards each other; and that ye have good remembrance of us always, defining greatly to see us, as we also to see you; therefore, brethren, we were comforted, and all my anxious tears gave place to holy joy in and ever you, in all our affliction and distress, which we were here suffering when Timotheus arrived;

as the heathen, who make such howling and lamentation for the dead; since we have a hope full of immortality: for if we believe that Jesus died, and rise again, even so then also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him, raising their bodies from the dark at the left day, as his was raised from the tomb. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive, and remain unto the coming of the Lord, even those members of his church who shall be numbered among the living in the great day of his appearing and glory, shall not prevent them which are asleep, so as to anticipate their resurrection: for the Lord himself shall depend from heaven with a faint of triumph and exultation, with the voice of the archangel that shall attend his orders, and with the trump of God, like that tremendous sound which once lifted from Sinai’s top; and the dead is Christ, those who departed in his faith and fear, shall rise first, in virtue of their union with those created blood: then we which are alive and remain, as many as shall then be found among the living, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall our ever be with the Lord, enjoying that eternal brilliance in his immediate presence which is the summit of our felicity. Wherefore comfort our another with their words, under all your perfect trials and discouragements, and in the prospect of your own approaching dissolution. Note, (1.) They who die in the faith of Christ return to his bosom, and their dull sleeps heavily under his care, waiting a resurrection day. (2.) The faithful shall shortly meet together in hills around the Redeemer’s throne, and spend a happy eternity in his unceasing praise. (3.) This reviving hope is the comfort and support of the Christian, living and dying.