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The Bible · 1114 of 1189

1 Thessalonians 3

1.Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; 2. And 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: 3. That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 4. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. 5. For 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: 7. Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: 8. For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 9. For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 10. Night 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. 12. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: 13. To 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.

Asked of Guide

Why did Paul send Timothy to the Thessalonians instead of going himself?

Paul sent Timothy because he could “no longer forbear” and needed a trusted messenger to check their faith and encourage them; he remained at Athens (v.1) and dispatched Timothy as “our fellowlabourer” to “establish you, and to comfort you” (v.2). Paul had already warned them that suffering was appointed, so he wanted confirmation that the community stood firm and that “our labour be in vain” (v.5).

When Timothy returned with “good tidings of your faith and charity” (v.6), Paul and his companions were comforted amid their own affliction and distress, saying “now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord” (v.8). This chapter’s concern for pastoral care and mutual strengthening echoes Acts, where Paul sends delegates to support fledgling churches.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.