Context: From previous weeks (1 Thessalonians 3:1-3):
- Paul had to leave quickly from the Thessalonian Church because of persecution
- The new Church faced persecution right from get go
- Therefore Paul was really concerned about the Church and
- Sent Timothy to
- Establish the Thessalonian Church
- Comfort them concerning their faith
- Make sure none of them would give up because of persecution
- Sent Timothy to
Why was Paul distressed and in affliction? (v3:4-7)
- Paul told them (certainly) that they were going to be in affliction
- And it happened
- And the Thessalonians were aware of it too
- Paul was concerned that
- Thessalonians may have left the faith – gone back
- That his labor with them may have been in vain
What report did Timothy bring back? How did it help Paul and his team? (v3:6-9)
- Timothy brought back good news about
- Their faith.
- Affliction and persecution didn’t have any impact on their faith
- Their love
- Them having good memories of Paul and team
- Not the suffering that had to face because of the Gospel
- Their longing to see Paul and team
- As much as Paul and team longed to see them too
- Their faith.
- Paul and his team were comforted
What was Paul’s prayer and desire for Thessalonian Church? (v3:10-13)
- Praying exceedingly night and day
- That Paul and his team may see Thessalonians Church again
- That Paul and his team may help Thessalonians with any questions
- There by making sure that their faith is perfect
- Paul repeats: That God would guide Paul back to see the Thessalonian Church
- That the Thessalonian Church may
- Increase and abound in love:
- Towards one another
- Towards all men
- Even as Paul and his team loved them
- Implying that Increasing and abounding in love would
- Establish their hearts blameless in holiness
- No just before men – but before God
- Establish their hearts blameless in holiness
- Increase and abound in love:
Conclusion:
- Thessalonians had very little interaction with Paul and the Gospel. Yet stayed strong.
- Thessalonians were loving – as much as Paul loved them
- How much do I love my brothers and sisters in Christ?
- Do I get distressed and afflicted about their spiritual state?
Main Passage 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:3 – World English Bible (WEB)
4 For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know. 5 For this cause I also, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain. 6 But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you, 7 for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 12 May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you, 13 to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Notes / Cross References
1 Thessalonians 3:1-3 Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith, 3 that no one would be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task.
Acts 17:1-13 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women. 5 But the unpersuaded Jews took along[a] some wicked men from the marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people. 6 When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers[b] before the rulers of the city, crying, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 whom Jason has received. These all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus!” 8 The multitude and the rulers of the city were troubled when they heard these things. 9 When they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. 10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.
11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed; also of the prominent Greek women, and not a few men. 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, agitating the multitudes.
Footnotes
- 17:5 TR reads “And the Jews who were unpersuaded, becoming envious and taking along” instead of “But the unpersuaded Jews took along”
- 17:6 The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may be also correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
