1 Thessalonians · chapter 3 of 5
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1 Thessalonians 3 tells how Paul, unable to bear the uncertainty, sent Timothy from Athens to strengthen the Thessalonians in their afflictions. Timothy returned with good news of their faith and love, which comforted and gladdened Paul. The chapter ends with his prayer that the Lord make their love abound and establish their hearts blameless in holiness for the coming of Jesus.
After recalling his ministry in chapter 2, Paul explains why he sent Timothy and what happened next. The chapter shows the heart of a pastor concerned for young believers who are suffering, and it reveals that the afflictions were a real risk to the church's faith. It also contains the first of two prayers for the church in the letter.
Paul tells how, when he could bear the anxiety no longer, he decided to be left alone in Athens and sent Timothy, his brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen the Thessalonians and encourage them in their faith. He wanted no one to be shaken by these afflictions, and reminds them that they themselves know they were destined for this: he had told them beforehand that they would suffer, and so it has happened. For that reason, unable to bear it any longer, he sent to learn about their faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted them and his labor would be in vain.
But now Timothy has come back with good news of their faith and love, and that they always think kindly of the missionaries and long to see them as they long to see them. In all his distress and affliction, Paul was comforted by their faith. Now he lives, he says, if they stand fast in the Lord. He thanks God for all the joy he feels before him, and prays night and day earnestly to see them again and supply what is lacking in their faith.
The chapter closes with a prayer. Paul asks that God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus direct his way to them; that the Lord make them increase and abound in love for one another and for all; and that he establish their hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Paul does not want anyone shaken by these afflictions, because believers are destined for them. He had warned them they would suffer, and so it happened. The Bible does not promise a life without difficulty, but it does promise that God accompanies his people in it.
Paul says he now lives, if they stand firm in the Lord. His own spirit depends on the church's perseverance: the faith of others can comfort us, and pastoral care means rejoicing in the faithfulness of those we serve.
Paul prays that the Lord make them increase and abound in love, and establish their hearts blameless in holiness before God at the coming of Jesus. Holiness is seen here as the Lord's work, and it is joined to practical love among believers.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: In Athens. — 1 Thessalonians 3:1
Answer: To strengthen and encourage them in their faith, so that no one would be shaken by the afflictions. — 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3
Answer: That he had tempted them and the missionaries' labor had been in vain. — 1 Thessalonians 3:5
Answer: That they had faith and love, and always remembered Paul kindly and longed to see him. — 1 Thessalonians 3:6
Answer: He now lives. — 1 Thessalonians 3:8
Answer: That the Lord make them increase and abound in love for one another and for all. — 1 Thessalonians 3:12
Paul does not take the Thessalonians' faith for granted: he cares for it, sends help and prays. It is a good model for anyone responsible for new believers or for young people in a hard situation. In a group you can think about whom to visit, call or write this week, before a trial ends up putting out their faith.
It also reminds us that suffering is not a sign that God has abandoned us: Paul had foretold it. And the closing prayer can serve as a guide: ask that love abound and that the heart be kept blameless, knowing that the Lord is the one who does it.
Paul ends the first, personal part of the letter with a prayer for love and holiness. In chapter 4 he turns to practical instruction: how to please God in daily life and what hope those who have died in Christ have.
Paul had come to Athens after leaving Berea, and Timothy and Silas were to join him there. According to this chapter, Paul decided to stay alone in Athens and send Timothy, because his concern for the Thessalonians was too great. It shows how much that sacrifice cost him.
Paul does not say God wants evil, but that following Christ in a hostile world brings opposition, as he had warned them. Suffering does not cancel faith or God's love, and for the believer it has a horizon: the coming of the Lord and the holiness he completes.