1 Thessalonians 3

King James Version

Full text for 1 Thessalonians Chapter 3

1¶ Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

2And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

3That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

4For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

5For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

6¶ But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also [to see] you:

7Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

8For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

9For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

10Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

11¶ Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

12And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all [men], even as we [do] toward you:

13To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Paul, deeply concerned for the Thessalonians' faith amidst afflictions, sent Timothy to strengthen and comfort them. Timothy returned with joyful tidings of their steadfast faith and charity, which greatly comforted Paul in his own distress. Paul expresses profound gratitude to God and prays for their continued growth in love and holiness, and for a reunion to perfect their faith.

Medium Summary

Unable to bear the separation and anxiety for the Thessalonians' spiritual state, Paul sent Timothy from Athens to establish and comfort them concerning their faith. Paul had previously warned them of impending tribulations, fearing the tempter might have swayed them, rendering his labor in vain. Upon Timothy's return, he brought joyous tidings of their enduring faith, abounding charity, and fond remembrance of Paul. This news profoundly comforted Paul in his own affliction, affirming that his life's purpose was fulfilled if they stood fast in the Lord. He expressed immense gratitude to God for their steadfastness and prayed fervently to see them again to perfect any deficiencies in their faith. Paul also prayed for God and Jesus to direct his path to them, and for the Thessalonians to increase in love and be established unblameable in holiness for the coming of Christ.

Long Summary

Paul, experiencing great anxiety and unable to endure the separation from the Thessalonian believers, made the decision to remain alone in Athens and dispatch Timothy to them. Timothy, described as a brother, minister of God, and fellow labourer, was sent with the specific mission to establish and comfort the Thessalonians in their faith. This was crucial so that no one would be unsettled by the afflictions they were facing, as Paul had previously warned them that tribulation was appointed for them, a prophecy that had indeed come to pass. Paul's deep concern stemmed from the fear that the tempter might have succeeded in tempting them, thereby rendering his previous evangelistic efforts among them futile. However, upon Timothy's return from Thessalonica, he brought exceedingly good tidings. He reported their steadfast faith and abounding charity, and that they held Paul in constant, fond remembrance, desiring greatly to see him, a sentiment Paul reciprocated. This positive report brought immense comfort to Paul and his companions amidst their own afflictions and distress, as their spiritual well-being was inextricably linked to the Thessalonians' perseverance. Paul declared that they truly lived if the Thessalonians stood fast in the Lord. Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, Paul reflected on the impossibility of adequately thanking God for the joy he felt on their behalf. He expressed his fervent prayers, day and night, for the opportunity to see them again face to face, specifically to perfect any remaining deficiencies or gaps in their faith. Paul then offered a direct prayer to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, asking them to direct his path back to Thessalonica. He also prayed that the Lord would cause them to increase and abound in love towards one another and towards all people, mirroring the love he held for them. Finally, he prayed that God would establish their hearts unblameable in holiness before God the Father, in anticipation of the glorious coming of their Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Core Concepts

  • Pastoral ConcernPaul demonstrates deep, personal anxiety and love for the Thessalonian believers, prioritizing their spiritual stability and sending Timothy to ensure their well-being amidst his own distress.
  • Affliction and TribulationThe chapter acknowledges that suffering is an expected part of the Christian life, having been previously foretold by Paul, and serves as a test of the believers' faith.
  • Steadfastness in FaithThe core concern for Paul was the Thessalonians' ability to remain firm in their belief despite external pressures, and their steadfastness brought him immense comfort and joy.
  • The Role of TimothyTimothy serves as a crucial messenger and minister, sent to strengthen and report on the spiritual condition of the church, acting as an extension of Paul's pastoral care.
  • The Tempter's InfluencePaul expresses a specific fear that Satan, referred to as 'the tempter,' might have successfully undermined the Thessalonians' faith, highlighting the spiritual battle believers face.
  • Prayer for Reunion and PerfectionPaul's intense desire to see the Thessalonians again is driven by his longing to further instruct and complete what might be lacking in their faith, alongside his prayers for God to direct his way.
  • Love and HolinessPaul prays for the Thessalonians to grow abundantly in love for one another and all people, and to be established in blameless holiness in preparation for Christ's glorious return.