1 Thessalonians 3:6

But now when Timotheus came from you unto us But when Timothy came even now unto us from you (R. V.): this rendering puts due emphasis on the words "from you" (it was Timothy's coming with news from Thessalonicathat relieved the Apostle's mind); and it gives the proper meaning and connection to the introductory "now," which qualifies "came" and denotes just now, at this juncture. Timothy's return has been anxiously awaited; and no sooner has he arrived and told his story, than Paul sits down and writes out of a full heart this affectionate and grateful letter. For Timothy brought us glad tidings of your faith and love (R. V.).

"Brought-glad-tidings" forms a single word in the Greek, the same that everywhere else in the N.T. signifies "theglad tidings" the news of God's salvation and of the coming of His kingdom. Hence the peculiar force of the word here. This was gospelnews, witnessing to the truth and enduring power of God's message; for this reason it was glad tidings to the Apostle from the Thessalonians ("now we live," 1 Thessalonians 3:7) a gospel sent to himin return for his gospel brought to them (ch. 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:2, &c.).

of your faith and charity for these comprise the whole Christian life, and imply the "hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" added to them in ch. 1 Thessalonians 1:3; comp. 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Ephesians 1:15; Philemon 1:5-7; 1 John 3:23: "that we should believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another." This is the sum of our religion. Read, faith and love (R. V.).

and that ye have good remembrance of us always So that the Thessalonians reciprocate Paul's feelings towards them; he "remembers" them "without ceasing" (ch. 1 Thessalonians 1:3), they equally remember him. Goodis kindly, well-disposed remembrance; their sufferings and the slanders of his enemies might have alienated their minds from the missionaries, but it was otherwise.

"Remembrance" represents the same Greek noun as "mention" in ch. 1 Thessalonians 1:2; following makeit has a more active, following havea passive signification.

desiring greatly R. V., in one word, longing, which renders fitly a delicate Greek verb, rare except In St Paul, that denotes yearning regret for an absent beloved object (comp. ch. 1 Thessalonians 2:17, "bereavedof you"). He uses it in 2 Corinthians 5:2 to express his desire for the new, spiritual body, "the house from heaven." Longing to see us, even as we also to see you. The expression recurs in Romans 1:11 and 2 Timothy 1:4. For the Apostle's "longing," see ch. 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18.