Comfort for the Afflicted Pastor

Introduction

Appendix ruptured, couldn’t bear to send the email

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always remember us kindly, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; 8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

Timothy has come to us

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you,

But now - Implies a contrast over time. Things were one way then, but now they are different. Previously, Paul and his companions were distant and worried, but now we will see how things have changed.

What was Timothy doing? See context

What was Paul doing in the meantime? See context

What was traveling like? See background

Has come - This letter was sent after Timothy, not with him

Timothy has brought us good news

Having come, would he bring a good report? Yes

No sign of hesitation: has come and has brought, parallel verbs

Good news - indicates your situation and priorities

of your faith and love - pastor’s heart, spiritual priorities (mentioned first, primary), positive reinforcement

Faith - relationship with God

Love - relationship with one another

And that you always remember us kindly - relationship with Paul et al (and = secondary)

‘remember kindly’ - we all want to know what people think about us

always - this is the measure of genuineness and value (not corrupted)

longing to see us - hospitality, sacrifice, time, (not just “see” Paul)

just as we also long to see you - relationships should be reciprocal

We were comforted about you

[For this reason, brothers] We were comforted about you - is “this” forward or backward pointing? I think back, to faith and love.

in all our distress and affliction - see background, all their bad news

through your faith - confirmation the devil had not won, their prize was still valid

Now we really live - breaking free of distress and affliction, best life now

if you stand firm in the Lord - accountability tied to Paul’s condition, standing firm is composed of faith and love

Application

Grow in your faith and love

Always remember them kindly

Stand firm in the Lord by faith

Epilogue

Honor those that they appoint