1 Thessalonians 3:1-4:8 NIV

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 . Wherefore, when we could no longer forbear, seeing you were so oppressed with persecutions, we sent Timothy, and preferred being left agone without a fellow-labourer at Athens. Here was love, paternal love to the saints at Thessalonica. To be left alone in so great a work, and in so learned and celebrated a city as Athens, exposed to contempt and laughter in the schools, the malice of the jews, and the ravings of the populace, not to name the heathen priests, was a... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2

1 Thessalonians 3:1-2Wherefore, when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone--There is a subtle play of feeling in the whole texture of these words.On the one hand sadness--to be left alone in Athens; on the other, a bright and tender pleasure beyond resignation, a consent that was not extorted--“we were well pleased.” The former expression has about it a tinge of desertion and forlornness, as of leaving father and mother (Matthew 12:5; Mark 10:7; Ephesians... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1

1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; Ver. 1. No longer forbear ] στεγοντες , or, stand under our burden of vehement desire after you. See a like expression,Isaiah 42:14; Isaiah 42:14 . As a travailing woman bites in her pain as long as she is able, and at length cries aloud; so God is patient till he can hold no longer, &c. We thought it good ] Publica privatis anteferenda bonis, A public spirit is a precious spirit. And that is a... read more

Samuel Bagster

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - 1 Thessalonians 3:1

when: 1 Thessalonians 3:5, 1 Thessalonians 2:17, Jeremiah 20:9, Jeremiah 44:22, 2 Corinthians 2:13, 2 Corinthians 11:29, 2 Corinthians 11:30 we thought: Acts 17:15 Reciprocal: 2 Timothy 1:4 - desiring read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - 1 Thessalonians 3:1

Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;We — Paul and Silvanus.Could bear no longer — Our desire and fear for you. read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 3:1

5. St. Paul’s sending Timothy (from Athens?) to visit and confirm his Thessalonians, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5. 1. Forbear The old Greek word for this signified first to cover, afterward to contain, and finally to contain or restrain one’s self. Thought it good Note on the noun of this verb, Ephesians 1:5. Alford remarks here that the word does not carry with it any signification of pleasure except so far as we say “it was our pleasure,” referring merely to the resolution of the... read more