1 Thessalonians 3:1 - Exposition

This verse is closely connected with the concluding verses of the last chapter, from which it should not be separated. Wherefore ; on account of my affection toward you and my repeated vain attempts to see you. When we . Some refer the plural to Paul, Silas, and Timothy ( 1 Thessalonians 1:1 ); others to Paul and Silas, as Timothy had been sent to Thessalonica; but it is to be restricted to Paul, as is evident from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20 :38 and 1 Thessalonians 3:5 , and inasmuch as Paul was left alone at Athens; the plural being here used for the singular. Could no longer forbear ; could no longer restrain our longing and anxiety to know your condition. We thought it good ; a happy translation of the original, expressing both "we were pleased and resolved." To be left at Athens alone ; an expression of solitude. Alone in Athens, in the very metropolis of idolatry. Compare with this the common saying, "Alone in London." In the Acts of the Apostles we are informed that Paul came to Athens alone, and that there he waited for Silas and Timothy ( Acts 17:14 , ]5), and that these fellow-workers rejoined him at Corinth ( Acts 18:5 ). Many expositors, however, from this and the next verse, infer that Timothy at least joined Paul at Athens, but was sent back by him to Thessalonica, to inquire into the condition of his converts in that city. Such is the opinion of Olshausen, Neander, De Wette, Lunemann, Hofmann, Koch, and Schott; and, among English expositors, of Macknight, Paley, Eadie, Jowett, Ellicott, and Wordsworth. There is no contradiction between this view and the narrative of the Acts. Luke merely omits to mention Timothy's short visit to Athens and departure from it, and relates only the final reunion of these three fellow-workers at Corinth. Indeed, Paley gives this coming of Timothy to Athens as one of the undesigned coincidences between this Epistle and the Acts of the Apostles. £ Still, however, we are not necessitated to suppose that Timothy joined the apostle at Athens. The words admit of the opinion that he was sent by Paul direct from Beraea, and not from Athens; and that he and Silas did not join Paul until they came from Macedonia to Corinth. Such is the opinion of Hug, Wieseler, Koppe, Alford, and Vaughan.