1 Thessalonians 3

1 Thessalonians 3:1–13

1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,

excited for this young church

loving concern for it

2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,

brother-fellow believer

minister-servant of God/P.T.

fellow laborer- hard worker in the gospel

commendation possibly to establish young Timothy as an authority to listen to

1 Timothy 4:12–16 , Philippians 2:19-24, 1:12-18, Ephesians 4:11-16, 2 Timothy 4:1-5

establish

4741. στηρίζω stērizō, stay-rid´-zo; from a presumed der. of 2476 (like 4731); to set fast, i.e. (lit.) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (fig.) to confirm:—fix, (e-) stablish, stedfastly set, strengthen.

Faith

4102. πίστις pistis, pis´-tis; from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; mor. conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), espec. reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstr. constancy in such profession; by extens. the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

we should not be surprised by affliction nor should we be shaken from the faith, the more established we are in the faith the less the storms of life will effect us. James 1:2-8, 1 Peter 1:6-7, 4:12-17 , Colossians 2:1-10

shaken

4525. σαίνω sainō, sah´ee-no; akin to 4579: to wag (as a dog its tail fawningly), i.e. (gen.) to shake (fig. disturb):—move.

Ephesians 3:13, John 16:2, Acts 9:16, Acts 14:22, 1 Corinthians 4:9 , 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Peter 2:21

4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.

Acts 20:24

5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

Philippians 2:16

holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

there will always be attacks on the truth by the enemy, Eve in the garden, Satan in the wilderness, he is the root of corruption and will use whatever means necessary to render the work of faith inoperable/ineffective

Galatians 1:6-10, 2:11-21, 1 Timothy 1:3-11, 18-20, Romans 16:17-20, 2 Corinthians 11:12-15, 1 Timothy 6:1-5, 20-21, James 2:14-26, Hebrews 4:1-9

faith

4102. πίστις pistis, pis´-tis; from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; mor. conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), espec. reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstr. constancy in such profession; by extens. the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you—

faith-that which you believe

love-expression(action) of the faith

7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.

2 Corinthians 1:4

8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (3:8)

Thomas L. Constable

3:8. Nothing filled the apostles with joy like news that their converts were standing firm in the Lord. This was the desired result in all their ministry; in this they found their greatest fulfillment. “Standing firm” (stēkete; cf. 2 Thes. 2:15) in the faith is really “standing firm in the Lord.” Such a relationship strengthens one to withstand the storms of life.

Ephesians 6:13–14 , Philippians 4:1 , 2 Thessalonians 2:15

9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,

10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (3:10)

3:10. News of the Thessalonians’ perseverance did not relieve Paul of his desire to return to them. Though they were enduring a trial of their faith they still needed more instruction and more growth. Paul wanted to supply what was lacking in their faith. (The word for “supply” is katartisai; cf. Eph. 4:12 where pros ton katartismon is rendered “to prepare” [NIV] and “for the equipping” [NASB].) The Thessalonians were like tender young plants; their tender roots held them firm against the present storm, but they still needed to grow and mature. This is the first explicit reference to deficiencies in their spiritual condition—deficiencies due more to immaturity than to waywardness. Up till now Paul described them as having the characteristics of new Christians. Now he said they were deficient in certain respects, as a child is deficient in comparison ith an adult. In chapters 4 and 5 Paul ministered to some of these deficiencies.This verse gives another glimpse into the Apostle Paul’s private life. He prayed night and day … most earnestly that God would let him see them again. That is, he prayed by night and by day, not all night and all day. This and other similar references (cf. 1:2; 2:13) demonstrate the truth of the statement, “It is evident from St. Paul’s Epistles that a very large part of his private life was occupied in prayer and thanksgiving to God” (G. W. Garrod, The First Epistle to the Thessalonians. London: Macmillan & Co., 1899, p. 89)

2 Corinthians 13:9 , Colossians 4:12, Ephesians 4:11–16

11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.

12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,

Philippians 1:9 , 1 Thessalonians 4:1 , 1 Thessalonians 4:10 , 2 Thessalonians 1:3

13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Titus 2:11–15

praying that God would clear a way for them to see the church again

Hearts= speaking of the inner man, not simply holy on the outside, but holy on the inside… God judges the heart, the Word judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

when Jesus comes back He’s coming WITH ALL the SAINTS

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (3:13)

3:13. The Thessalonians needed strengthening by God in their inner beings. The word strengthen (stērizai), used by Paul in verse 2, describes Timothy’s strengthening of the Thessalonians in their faith. Paul did not pray that they would be sinless; that was impossible. He prayed that they would be blameless (cf. 2:10), that is, that after they sinned they would deal with it as God requires and so be free from any reasonable charge by their fellowmen. Before God they should be holy, separated to God in their hearts and habits. Paul longed that when Jesus Christ would return He would find them blameless before men and holy before God.

1 Thessalonians 4:16

Gene Cunningham

Chapter Three –

Looking and Living for the Day of Holiness (1Jo.2:28-3:3) At the end of this chapter Paul focuses on the Thessalonians in regard to the rapture, and anticipates their faithfulness in growth and ministry resulting in being blameless at the return of Christ. The idea here is that of standing unashamed before Him at His coming (1Jo.2:28-3:3).

1. We are appointed to afflictions, v.1-5 (Act.14:21-22; 2Ti.3:12) Paul uses the word “establish” to begin and end this chapter (v.2, 13). Both times it is used in the infinitive to show purpose or result. This is the “goal” that we saw in 2:12, to “have a walk worthy of God”. The opposite of being established is to “be shaken by these afflictions” (v.3). in v.3-4 Paul reminds us that suffering in the Christian life is a valuable part of the plan of God. The word “appointed” in v.3 reminds us of Paul’s words to the Ephesian elders in Act.14:22, and to Timothy in 2Ti.2:3-13 and 3:12.

2. God is faithful to encourage and comfort, v.6-10 (2Co.1:1-11) How interesting that Paul sent Timothy to “establish” these new believers, and yet the report brought back to him by Timothy gave to all the mission team a strength to carry on. The mutual five-and-take ministry of the body of Christ is amazing (see 2Co.1:1-11). As Dr. Wiersbe points out, Paul’s concern was not for their safety, or comfort, or happiness – it was for the stability of their faith. Five times he mentions faith in this chapter, and it is this that our enemy hates (2:18; 3:5). The true pastoral heart of Paul is seen in v.8. Nothing invigorates the heart of the pastor more than seeing God’s word come alive and effective in the lives of 5 disciples. As long as we live there is need for God to “perfect what is lacking in (our) faith” (v.10). The race is not won until all the race is run!

3. Our goal is to stand unashamed in His presence, v.11-13 One day we will all stand in the presence of our Lord and Savior. One day our lives will be seen in the pure light of His holiness. Paul’s desire, whether he can see them again or not, is that they “increase and abound in love to one another and to all”. This is the fulfillment of Jesus’ command in John 13:34- 35. Living in the light of that day when we enter into His presence can do much to help us keep our attitudes, priorities, decisions and actions right.

Conclusion

True spiritual growth is not in Bible knowledge alone, it is only fully realized as we are more and more conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Rom.12:1-2; 2Co.3:18; Phi.3:9-14). If our desire is to be more like our Savior, then the day of our ultimate sanctification will be a prize worth looking and living for.