I Thessalonians 3: Enduring Faith and Authentic Connection
Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
I Thessalonians 3 focuses on Paul's deep concern and affection for the church in Thessalonica. Having established a strong foundation of faith among them, Paul yearned to know how they were faring, especially in the face of potential persecution. This chapter beautifully illustrates the importance of encouragement, authentic connection, and the vital role of community in sustaining and strengthening faith. It also highlights the reality of suffering in the Christian life and the believer’s need for spiritual growth, unity, and holiness. This chapter provides a powerful example of how believers can support one another, especially in times of adversity.
Timothy's Mission: A Testament to Authentic Touch (3:1-5)
Unable to bear the uncertainty any longer, Paul made a strategic decision rooted in his deep care for the Thessalonians. He sent Timothy, his trusted ministry partner, from Athens to Thessalonica (I Thessalonians 3:1-2). This act underscores Paul’s commitment to "authentic touch," recognizing that long-distance communication alone wasn’t enough. Timothy was sent to strengthen and encourage them in person. Paul understood the profound impact of physical presence and personal interaction in nurturing faith.
Paul describes Timothy as "God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ" (I Thessalonians 3:2). This highlights the collaborative nature of ministry and the value of entrusting responsibilities to faithful individuals. The Greek verb Paul uses for “encourage” is parakaleō. It shares a root with the noun (paraklētos) that describes the Holy Spirit in John 14:26 (“Counselor”) and 1 John 2:1 (“advocate”). When God wants to encourage a believer, he uses his Holy Spirit to do it, but he often does that through another believer. You and I are to function like the Holy Spirit with skin on.
Paul reminds the Thessalonians that their afflictions were not unexpected but predicted (I Thessalonians 3:3-4). He wanted them to be consistent and unshaken when trouble came. This wasn't a pessimistic outlook but a realistic acknowledgement of the challenges inherent in following Christ. He was concerned that the Thessalonians’ spiritual lives would prove fickle. Believers, in fact, are appointed to this. In other words, Christians are elected, chosen, destined for trouble. As soon as we start following Jesus, trouble starts following us. We don’t have to find it. It knows our address; it will arrive. But the good news is that God intends to use it for our good.
Paul also expresses his concern that "the tempter might have tempted" the Thessalonians and that his labor might be in vain (I Thessalonians 3:5). Here, Paul reveals his awareness of the spiritual battle that believers face. He knew that the devil is an evil spirit who hates God and seeks to tempt God’s children and destroy their faith. Paul wasn't worried about some ridiculous caricature. Satan is real, and he is after you and me. We need authentic touch to overcome his schemes.
Joy in Their Faithfulness (3:6-10)
Timothy's return with good news filled Paul with immense joy. He reported that the Thessalonians were standing firm in their faith and love, and that they fondly remembered Paul and longed to see him, just as he longed to see them (I Thessalonians 3:6). This positive report was a great comfort to Paul amidst his own afflictions.
Paul's reaction highlights the interconnectedness within the body of Christ. He states, "For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord" (I Thessalonians 3:8). This is staggering! Paul, the greatest missionary ever, says to the Thessalonians, “How you stand will determine how we live.” In other words, he says, “I can’t make it without you.” Even apostles and pastors need encouragement in this vicious and divided world.
Paul's desire to see them face-to-face stemmed from his longing to "complete what was lacking in [their] faith" (I Thessalonians 3:10). This wasn't a criticism, but a recognition that faith is a journey of continuous growth and learning. Faith needs community. I need you, and you need me. On our own, our faith is lacking. There are no Lone Ranger believers. If we believe all by ourselves, we will not believe for long. Any unchurched, uninvolved Christian is living outside the will of God.
A Prayer for Love, Holiness, and Steadfastness (3:11-13)
The chapter concludes with a powerful prayer for the Thessalonians, encompassing three key aspects of Christian life. First, he prays for spiritual growth. He wants the Thessalonians to increase and overflow with love for one another (I Thessalonians 3:12). Love is the hallmark of true spiritual growth. Love is a choice to serve someone for his or her good. It is a decision of the will, which is why we can—and should—love people even if we do not like them. We choose to love, and then we ask God to help our emotions catch up.
Second, Paul prays for spiritual unity. The Thessalonians needed to have love for each other, but also for everyone (I Thessalonians 3:12). Love and unity go hand-in-hand. If this were easy, Paul would not need to pray for it! Some of us need to take a hard look at our lives. If the only people we love are just like us, Paul may have some harsh words for us.
Third, Paul prays for their holiness. He asks that God would make their hearts blameless in holiness because Jesus is coming back (I Thessalonians 3:13). Paul simply cannot stop mentioning the return of Christ! He wants us all to live in light of Jesus’s second coming, and that means living in holiness. If Jesus came back today—in the next hour—would he find you doing kingdom work? Would he say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant”? He asks that God would "strengthen [their] hearts so that [they] will be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints" (I Thessalonians 3:13). This prayer emphasizes the importance of living with an awareness of Christ's return, striving for holiness, and remaining steadfast in faith until the end. This is a reference to departed righteous souls who will receive their resurrected bodies at that time.
I Thessalonians 3 provides a timeless reminder of the power of encouragement, the importance of community, and the need for unwavering faith in the face of adversity. It challenges us to cultivate authentic connections, support one another in our spiritual journeys, and live lives that are pleasing to God as we eagerly await the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
I Thessalonians 3 focuses on Paul's deep concern and affection for the church in Thessalonica. Having established a strong foundation of faith among them, Paul yearned to know how they were faring, especially in the face of potential persecution. This chapter beautifully illustrates the importance of encouragement, authentic connection, and the vital role of community in sustaining and strengthening faith. It also highlights the reality of suffering in the Christian life and the believer’s need for spiritual growth, unity, and holiness. This chapter provides a powerful example of how believers can support one another, especially in times of adversity.
Timothy's Mission: A Testament to Authentic Touch (3:1-5)
Unable to bear the uncertainty any longer, Paul made a strategic decision rooted in his deep care for the Thessalonians. He sent Timothy, his trusted ministry partner, from Athens to Thessalonica (I Thessalonians 3:1-2). This act underscores Paul’s commitment to "authentic touch," recognizing that long-distance communication alone wasn’t enough. Timothy was sent to strengthen and encourage them in person. Paul understood the profound impact of physical presence and personal interaction in nurturing faith.
Paul describes Timothy as "God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ" (I Thessalonians 3:2). This highlights the collaborative nature of ministry and the value of entrusting responsibilities to faithful individuals. The Greek verb Paul uses for “encourage” is parakaleō. It shares a root with the noun (paraklētos) that describes the Holy Spirit in John 14:26 (“Counselor”) and 1 John 2:1 (“advocate”). When God wants to encourage a believer, he uses his Holy Spirit to do it, but he often does that through another believer. You and I are to function like the Holy Spirit with skin on.
Paul reminds the Thessalonians that their afflictions were not unexpected but predicted (I Thessalonians 3:3-4). He wanted them to be consistent and unshaken when trouble came. This wasn't a pessimistic outlook but a realistic acknowledgement of the challenges inherent in following Christ. He was concerned that the Thessalonians’ spiritual lives would prove fickle. Believers, in fact, are appointed to this. In other words, Christians are elected, chosen, destined for trouble. As soon as we start following Jesus, trouble starts following us. We don’t have to find it. It knows our address; it will arrive. But the good news is that God intends to use it for our good.
Paul also expresses his concern that "the tempter might have tempted" the Thessalonians and that his labor might be in vain (I Thessalonians 3:5). Here, Paul reveals his awareness of the spiritual battle that believers face. He knew that the devil is an evil spirit who hates God and seeks to tempt God’s children and destroy their faith. Paul wasn't worried about some ridiculous caricature. Satan is real, and he is after you and me. We need authentic touch to overcome his schemes.
Joy in Their Faithfulness (3:6-10)
Timothy's return with good news filled Paul with immense joy. He reported that the Thessalonians were standing firm in their faith and love, and that they fondly remembered Paul and longed to see him, just as he longed to see them (I Thessalonians 3:6). This positive report was a great comfort to Paul amidst his own afflictions.
Paul's reaction highlights the interconnectedness within the body of Christ. He states, "For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord" (I Thessalonians 3:8). This is staggering! Paul, the greatest missionary ever, says to the Thessalonians, “How you stand will determine how we live.” In other words, he says, “I can’t make it without you.” Even apostles and pastors need encouragement in this vicious and divided world.
Paul's desire to see them face-to-face stemmed from his longing to "complete what was lacking in [their] faith" (I Thessalonians 3:10). This wasn't a criticism, but a recognition that faith is a journey of continuous growth and learning. Faith needs community. I need you, and you need me. On our own, our faith is lacking. There are no Lone Ranger believers. If we believe all by ourselves, we will not believe for long. Any unchurched, uninvolved Christian is living outside the will of God.
A Prayer for Love, Holiness, and Steadfastness (3:11-13)
The chapter concludes with a powerful prayer for the Thessalonians, encompassing three key aspects of Christian life. First, he prays for spiritual growth. He wants the Thessalonians to increase and overflow with love for one another (I Thessalonians 3:12). Love is the hallmark of true spiritual growth. Love is a choice to serve someone for his or her good. It is a decision of the will, which is why we can—and should—love people even if we do not like them. We choose to love, and then we ask God to help our emotions catch up.
Second, Paul prays for spiritual unity. The Thessalonians needed to have love for each other, but also for everyone (I Thessalonians 3:12). Love and unity go hand-in-hand. If this were easy, Paul would not need to pray for it! Some of us need to take a hard look at our lives. If the only people we love are just like us, Paul may have some harsh words for us.
Third, Paul prays for their holiness. He asks that God would make their hearts blameless in holiness because Jesus is coming back (I Thessalonians 3:13). Paul simply cannot stop mentioning the return of Christ! He wants us all to live in light of Jesus’s second coming, and that means living in holiness. If Jesus came back today—in the next hour—would he find you doing kingdom work? Would he say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant”? He asks that God would "strengthen [their] hearts so that [they] will be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints" (I Thessalonians 3:13). This prayer emphasizes the importance of living with an awareness of Christ's return, striving for holiness, and remaining steadfast in faith until the end. This is a reference to departed righteous souls who will receive their resurrected bodies at that time.
I Thessalonians 3 provides a timeless reminder of the power of encouragement, the importance of community, and the need for unwavering faith in the face of adversity. It challenges us to cultivate authentic connections, support one another in our spiritual journeys, and live lives that are pleasing to God as we eagerly await the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.