1 Thessalonians 3

Last time I spoke we went over 1 Thessalonians 2. To give a little bit of a refresh, in that chapter we talked a bit about Paul defending himself because there were others in the area that were likely trying to convince those in the new church that Paul was there for his own motives. If you remember we talked about how Thessalonica was on a popular road so it was pretty well traveled. And there was likely many who go through there, proclaim some religious belief, try to persuade people to give financially, and then leave town. So Paul would have been compared to those people, especially since he also had to leave town after only a few weeks, but that was because the mob ran him out and he could have been killed.

So Paul talks about his authenticity when he came to see them. He came with marks on his back from the beating he took in Philippi. Someone preaching a lie would not be willing to keep on doing that from town to town and continually being beaten and risking their life. And while Paul and his companions were with them, they never asked for money. They provided for themselves working night and day.

Paul continued on in chapter 2 also talking about how great those in Thessalonica had stood strong against persecution from their own countrymen. Paul encouraged them in their faith. And at the end of chapter 2 he talks about how badly he wanted to go and see them because he wanted to encourage them in person and to see how they were doing. He wanted to verify they were continuing to stay strong in the faith.

And that’s where we get to chapter 3.

Before we dive in let’s pray.

[ Prayer ]

1 Thessalonians 3:1–3 NLT

1 Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens, 2 and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, 3 and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles.

Because of Paul and the other’s deep concern for the spiritual well-being of these new converts, they eventually decided to send Timothy to go visit them. His mission was to strengthen them, encourage them in their faith and then in verse 3 it says keep them from being “shaken” by the trouble they were going through.

Now the Greek word for “shaken”, used here, is used just this once in the entire new testament. The word represents a dog’s tail wagging. Going back-and-forth. So what Paul is saying is I don’t want the persecution around you to second guess the gospel of Christ that you had accepted and suddenly start turn away in time of persecution but go-back when things calm down and then turn away in fear again. They faced persecution from the gentiles and the Jews. The Jews likely tried to smooth talk them into thinking, look I get you’re trying to follow God, that’s good but Jesus isn’t the way. They could try to derail them by twisting the message. And it would take so much of the persecution away if they would listen to that message. Paul wanted to make sure their foundation was strong.

The last part of verse 3 is pretty interesting. “You know that we are destined for such troubles.” It’s one of the promises of what to expect as a believer, Christ himself said so. Persecution is a guarantee as a follower of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 3:4–8 NLT

4 Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know. 5 That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless. 6 But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you. 7 So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. 8 It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.

Paul continues on about the persecution, which is the big concern and reason why he wanted to send Timothy. The concern Paul has that is mentioned at the end of verse 5, “I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless.”

This is something Christ brings up in The Parable Of The Sower.

In that parable there were 3 bad soils.

The footpath, which the birds would then eat the seed.

The rocky ground, the plant springs up quickly but then the sun burns it up because it doesn’t have deep roots.

Among the thorns which eventually choke out the good plant.

Then there’s the good soil, which produces great fruit.

Now since Paul is talking about his concern of them dealing with persecution it seems that his reference in verse 5 really has to do with the rocky ground. When Jesus explained the parable he said in:

Matthew 13:20–21 NLT

20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.

Paul wanted to make sure they had deep roots to withstand the persecution. And upon Timothy returning, he learned they did. I’m sure Paul and his companions preached to many people when they all had visited Thessalonica originally, and many of the people that heard probably didn’t listen or take it to heart. It would have been like the seed just scattered on bad soil. But to these that he’s writing and had built a relationship with, they were the good soil. They accepted Christ and grew quickly in their faith and remained strong through the trials.

Their faith gave Paul energy knowing that they are standing firm in the Lord. Paul and the others with him were almost always going through some sort of trial for their faith because of how bold they were. But when he hears this good news he says it gave them “new life”. They were rejuvenated.

1 Thessalonians 3:9–13 NLT

9 How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. 10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith. 11 May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. 12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. 13 May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.

This chapter closes with thanks and a little prayer.

In verse 10 Paul had a request to God, in verse 10 it says “asking God to let us see you again and to fill the gaps in your faith”. The Greek word used for filling the gaps it’s actually also used for the activity of mending nets. And it’s used elsewhere in the New Testament in similar contexts as this one and obviously it’s being used in a metaphorical manner. In other verses it’s also translated as restore, prepared, and formed. Paul recognizes that like anyone they are not perfect in their faith. And because he cares he does want to address those issues, and he will.

And from here he continues on with a prayer. And this is short simple prayer, but would be a great one for anyone to pray.

His prayer is simple:

He requests to see them soon

He requests their love for one another to grow

He requests they’re hearts become strong, blameless and holy

And when he requests their love to grow, this is the agape love. The unconditional love. I know it’s said a lot about Paul’s deep love for those he shares the Good News with, but it’s always challenging when I hear what lengths he goes to to care for these people. I’m often selfish when I think about my time and people needing help. And in this case I think it’d be easy to say God I’ve gone to great lengths for you, put my life on the line, shared the word with these people, established a church. If they don’t stay strong, that’s on you. Like do I need to continue to disciple them. Can’t you strengthen a leader within them to keep them going. But he keeps on pursuing them at all costs. He doesn’t think of himself, he’s got his focus on God and so God works through him and that agape love towards these people pours out naturally.

And I think everyone to a certain degree can always improve in how they love others. Especially myself. But we have to focus on God first.

And this chapter closes with a picture of the second coming of Christ. “As you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.”

The holy people here likely is referring to the saints who have passed from this life into heaven.

There’s a variety of different things you could pull out from this section of scripture. And I don’t want to take anything out of context, but some things that came to mind were around how Paul shared and was concerned about their faith. I think sometimes when we share the Good News it can be a little discouraging if the message is not taken well. Even building up the courage to share is really hard, you start to think what if they ask a hard question or they don’t understand what I’m saying at all. First of all, part of the persecution is generally people aren’t going to want to hear the message anyways so you should expect that. But even if they listen, you have to remember even Jesus said there will be different soils that the seeds fall on. And for some people, it doesn’t matter what you say or how you say it, they might just be one the soils where the seed just seems to be scattered. The apostle Paul clearly knew the scriptures very well but many times when he shared the seed was just scattered.

Even with the people in Thessalonica that had accepted the message, he wasn’t totally sure if they were going to continue on in the faith. We cannot control the results of people’s hearts. But like the apostle Paul and his companions, you share the Good News, pray for those people, and if they do accept the Word, you continue to disciple them and help them grow in their faith.