1 Thessalonians 3:7

αναγκῃ και θλιψει (in this order): all uncials except KL, and the best minn. and versions. Θλιψις is much the more familiar word of the two; see 1 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:6.

7. διὰ τοῦτο παρεκλήθημεν, ἀδελφοί, ἐφʼ ὑμῖν ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ�.τ.λ. On this account we were encouraged, brothers, over you in all our necessity and affliction. Διὰ τοῦτο is resumptive, as commonly. For παρακαλέω, a characteristic word of the Thessalonian Epistles, see note on 1 Thessalonians 2:12. Cf. with this occasion that of 2 Corinthians 7:6 f., when Titus’ return to the Apostle Paul relieved his fears for the loyalty of the Corinthian Church. Ἐπί with dative follows verbs, and verbal nouns, of emotion, giving the occasion “at” or “over” which the feeling arises; cf. 1 Thessalonians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 1:4; 2 Corinthians 7:4; 2 Corinthians 7:7; Romans 6:21, &c.: here a double ἐπί, since there were coincident occasions (see note on ἄρτι, 1 Thessalonians 3:6) of comfort—in the perilous condition of the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 3:3-5), and in the troubles surrounding the missionaries at Corinth. Encouragement on the former account (ἐφʼ ὑμῖν) heartened the Apostles to encounter the latter (ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ�.τ.λ.); this happy effect appears to be hinted at by St Luke in Acts 18:5.

Ἀνᾴγκη signifies outward constraint, whether of circumstances or duty (1 Corinthians 7:26; 1 Corinthians 9:16, &c.); θλίψις, trouble from men (1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 3:3 f., &c.). For similar combinations, see 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 12:10—bearing on St Paul’s hardships at Corinth, where he is now writing; 1 Corinthians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 9:12, and 2 Corinthians 11:6 (ὑστερηθείς) show that there St Paul was in pecuniary straits: ἀνάγκη includes this, and more.

(παρεκλήθημεν) … διὰ τῆς ὑμῶν πίστεως. “Your faith” conveyed the needed solace: here lay the critical point (1 Thessalonians 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; cf. Luke 22:32); for the readers’ “faith” the writers first gave thanks (1 Thessalonians 1:3; see note; also on 1 Thessalonians 3:5 above). In the conception of πίστις the thought of fidelity often blends with that of belief and trust.