Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Thessalonians 3:5

Resuming the thought of 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3 a, after the parenthetical digression of 3 b, 4, but adding a fresh reason for the mission of Timothy, viz., the apostle's desire to have his personal anxiety about the Thessalonians relieved. It is needless to suppose (with Hofmann and Spitta) that 1 Thessalonians 3:5 refers to a fresh messenger or a letter (Wohl.) despatched by Paul on his own account. As in 1 Thessalonians 2:18, Paul passes to the singular, to emphasise his personal interest in the matter; the change of number, especially after the generic use of the plural in 3, 4, does not necessarily prove that the plural of 1 Thessalonians 3:1 means Paul alone. The dominating anxiety of Paul was about their faith (1 Thessalonians 3:5-10). He was overjoyed to hear that they retained “a kindly remembrance” of himself, and he reciprocates their desire for another meeting; but, while this undoubtedly entered into their general Christian position, it is the former on which unselfishly he dwells (cf. the transition in 10 a and 10 b). πίστιν κ. τ. λ. “Initium omnium malarum tentationum inconstantia animi est et parua ad Deum confidentia” (De Imit. Christi, i. 13, 5). ἐπείρασεν, with success, it is implied.

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Thessalonians 3:5

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