1 Thessalonians 3:1-4:8 NIV

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4

Various Proofs of Paul's Love for the Thessalonians He sent Timothy to them as his representative: v. 1. Wherefore, when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; v. 2. and sent Timotheus, 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, v. 3. that no man should be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that we are appointed there unto. v. 4. For verily,... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

1 Thessalonians 3:1-52. Being unable to come himself, Paul sent Timothy1Wherefore, when we could no longer forbear [endure, στέγοντες], we thought it good [thought good, εὐδοκήσαμεν; sin., as B.: ηὐδοκήσαμεν] to be left at [left behind 2in, καταλειφθῆςαι ἐν] Athens alone, and sent Timothy our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-labourer [our brother and fellow-labourer with God]1 in 3the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you [exhort]2 concerning [in behalf of]3 your... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Awakening Thanksgiving and Intercession 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 At the outset observe that marginal reading by which Timothy is described as a fellow-worker with God . What a wonderful phrase, and yet it is applicable to all true workers for God! Think what it must have been for a young artist to be permitted to collaborate with Michelangelo! No thought of his own comfort interfered with Paul’s efforts for the young churches he had planted; he was only eager that they should be established... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

The special purpose of the next movement in his letter was the strengthening of the Thessalonians in their sufferings. Their "work of faith" had brought them into a place of service which entailed suffering. In this connection, the apostle makes personal reference to having sent Timothy to them, while he was left alone in Athens. Whereas Athens was a burden on his heart, his love for the Thessalonians prompted him to this action. Timothy had brought him a message telling of their "faith and... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3

‘Wherefore when we could not longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s minister (or fellow worker) in the Good News of Christ, to establish you and comfort you concerning your faith, that no man be moved by these afflictions, for you yourselves know that hereunto we were appointed.’ Paul’s concern for the Thessalonians had been such that it had preyed on his mind, and in the end, at great sacrifice to himself, for it meant that he and... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

1 Thessalonians 3:1-1 Chronicles : . The Mission of Timothy to Thessalonica.— Paul’ s distress and anxiety with regard to the fate of the Church led him to send Timothy upon a mission of inquiry. He describes the effect produced upon him by Timothy’ s reassuring report. 1 Thessalonians 3:2 . sent Timothy: in * Acts 17:14 f; Acts 18:5, Silas and Timothy left Paul at Berœ a on the sea-coast and did not rejoin him till after his arrival at Corinth. It is possible, however, that Timothy followed... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 Thessalonians 3:1

The apostle proceeds upon the same argument to confirm his love to them, and care of them, that they might not doubt of it because of his long absence from them. Therefore he tells them, that though he could not come himself, yet he sent Timothy to them from Athens; which we find not mentioned in the Acts by Luke: and his love herein is commended the more: 1. Because he sent him out of a strong impulse of affection, he could not forbear any longer, or bear, it was a heavy burden to him till he... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2

CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES1 Thessalonians 3:1. When we could no longer forbear.—This latter word occurs in 1 Corinthians 13:7 to describe the endurance of love.1 Thessalonians 3:2. Fellow-labourer is omitted from the R.V. text, which reads, “our brother and God’s minister in the gospel of Christ.” To establish you.—To fix firmly; as Christ said to Peter, “Stablish thy brethren.”MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—1 Thessalonians 3:1-2A Difficult and Important Mission.Paul had been compelled... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 I. The purpose of Timothy's mission to the Thessalonians was to establish, to make them steadfast in the midst of persecution, to make them rooted and grounded in love, to make their very trials serve that all-important end, that they, as a church, might cast forth roots like Lebanon. The work of establishing them is, strictly speaking, God's work. But it is here none the less ascribed to Timothy, spoken of as his work, because he is a fellow-labourer with God. II. The... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Chapter 3WHEREFORE when we could no longer forbear, we thought it would be good to be left at Athens alone; And we 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 ( 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 ):Paul was there in Athens waiting for Silas and Timothy to arrive. He was discouraged. When Timothy came, he was concerned about the church of Thessalonica. "We were there such a short time. Go back... read more