CHAPTER 3

(A.D. 54)

TIMOTHY

¹Wherefore when we could no longer forbear (refers to Paul strongly desiring to know the spiritual situation back at Thessalonica), we thought it good to be left at Athens alone (refers to Timothy being sent back to Thessalonica, with no mention of Silas);

²And sent Timothy, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the Gospel of Christ, to establish you (the Thessalonians needed more teaching, so Timothy was sent to carry this out), and to comfort you con cerning your Faith (suggests encouragement):

³That no man should be moved by these afflictions (refers to the fact that we should not allow these things to discourage or hinder us): for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. (We are destined for afflictions because of Satans opposition to the Gospel.)

⁴For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation (Faith placed totally in the Cross of Christ brings opposition from both the world and the Church, but mostly from the Church); even as it came to pass, and you know (means tribulation is inevitable).

⁵For this cause (speaks of the persecution, and their response), when I could no longer forbear (presents the Apostle repeating for emphasis what he has already said in Verses 1 and 2), I sent to know your faith (that their Faith was remaining steadfast in the Cross), lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. (This tempted them to move their Faith to something other than the Cross, which would mean spiritual wreckage.)

THE REPORT

⁶But now when Timothy came from you unto us (refers to Timothy coming from Thessalonica to Corinth, where Paul now was), and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity (refers to an excellent report on their Faith and Love), and that you have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you (meaning the Thessalonians had not been pulled away from Paul by false teachers):

⁷Therefore, Brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith (their Faith remaining strong greatly encouraged the Apostle):

⁸For now we live (are comforted), if you stand fast in the Lord. (Refuse to allow your Faith to be moved from the Cross to other things.)

⁹For what thanks can we render to God again for you (in essence, says, How can we thank our God enough concerning you!), for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God (presents that which produces joy in the heart of the Apostle, which is success in the Work of God, and pertains to the Spiritual Growth of these Believers);

¹⁰Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face (has to do with the Apostles desire to once again visit this fledgling Church, which he did sometime later [Acts 20:1-2]), and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? (Strengthen them more firmly in the Cross, which must always be the Object of our Faith.)

PAULS PRAYER

¹¹Now God Himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ (the Cross of Christ alone has made this relationship possible), direct our way unto you (the Will of God is sought, and the way being made as the Will of God comes to the fore).

¹²And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you (which will come to pass as the Cross of Christ is more and more understood):

¹³To the end He may stablish your hearts (be without blame at the Judgment Seat of Christ) unblameable in Holiness before God, even our Father (refers to the fact that it is God Who is the Judge of these things), at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His Saints. (This refers to the Rapture of the Church.)