CHAPTER 3. PAUL EXPRESSES HIS GLADNESS ABOUT THEIR STATE AND PRAYS THAT IT WILL ABOUND YET MORE AND MORE. This chapter simply continues chapter 2, describing in terms of it the sending of Timothy to them and his joy when Timothy returned with the good news of their continued progress and steadfastn... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Wherefore when we could not longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and God's minister (or fellow worker) in the Good News of Christ, to establish you and comfort you concerning your faith, that no man be moved by these afflictions, for you yours... [ Continue Reading ]
‘For truly when we were with you we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.' Paul reinforces his statements by reminding them that they had continually pre-warned (imperfect) the Thessalonians that tribulation was the Christian's lot. And now they kn... [ Continue Reading ]
‘For this reason I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you and our labour should be in vain.' The change to the first person singular brings out how much he was moved by what he was talking about. He felt personally invo... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But when Timothy came even now to us from you, and brought us the good news of your faith and love, and that you have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us as we also to see you, for this reason, brothers and sisters, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through... [ Continue Reading ]
‘For now we live if you stand firm in the Lord.' ‘Now we are alive.' This use of the word live emphasises the great burden under which Paul had suffered. He had felt dead and discouraged, but now he had sprung to life. We tend to overlook the dreadful burdens he had to bear, the constant worries as... [ Continue Reading ]
‘For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we joy for your sakes before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and perfect that which is lacking in your faith.' Paul might have been excused for feeling a little self-satisfacti... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love, one toward another, and towards all men, even as we also do towards you, to the end that he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Fathe... [ Continue Reading ]