THE GOOD NEWS AND PRAYER
1 Thessalonians chapter 3
Timothy is sent – v. 1 to 5
While he was in Athens (Acts 17:16), Paul felt anxious about the believers in Thessalonica. He himself had been much persecuted there and he knew the malice of the Jews would continue to persecute the new church in that city. How were they bearing the ordeal, being so new believers and without spiritual maturity? ... Were they getting discouraged, given the troubles that the Gospel brought them? ... Had they given up following Christ or ceased to confess Him publicly as their Lord and Saviour? ... Had Satan won? ... And had the work of Paul in that city been lost? ...
In fact, he had warned the believers that they would be very tempted and afflicted, just as he was (v.4). They had seen how he triumphed over Satan, continuing his testimony, despite the persecution and other difficulties, while in that city. But he was an apostle, a strong and experienced believer - and they were new in the faith, children in the knowledge of God; were they winning the fight or had left the path of Christ? ...
Such were the anxious thoughts of the apostle; so he sent Timothy - not any more as a servant of the apostle, but rather as a "minister of God " (v.2), to visit them and give them the necessary spiritual instruction to strengthen their faith.
Note: The afflictions and persecutions were an integral part of Christian experience (John 16:33, Matthew 5:10-12). The persecution of the church began soon after Pentecost (Acts 4:1) and will continue to be a weapon of Satan until the end of its existence in the world (Revelation 20:10). See Romans 16:20, Revelation 12:12).
The return of Timothy – v.6 to 10
Paul was in Corinth when Timothy returned from his visit to the Thessalonian believers (Acts 18:5). He returned with Silas, who had been sent to another church in Macedonia - possibly Philippi. It was great news that Timothy brought back to the apostle, who states that “now we live” upon hearing of the strength of the church in Thessalonica (v.8).
- The faith of these Christians had not failed; they knew how to resist the devil; they did not return to idolatry, nor did they cease to proclaim the Gospel and to practice Christian love.
- There was great joy in the apostle: they had not abandoned his teachings and longed to see him again, just as he wished to make them a visit to give them more instruction in the Christian life.
The prayer of the apostle – v. 11-13
He asks both the Father and the Son, "Jesus our Lord ", that he might be allowed to visit again the believers in Thessalonica. Paul also asks that they may grow in Christian love among themselves and with outsiders - and that God might increase the love of the apostle himself to them. They would thus be confirmed in their faith, through the true holiness of their lives - and not only before the world, but also in the presence of the Lord at His coming.
It is interesting to note that the Second Coming of our Saviour is mentioned at the end of each chapter of this letter, being treated in more detail in chapter 4. See 1:10, 2:18, 3:13, 4:14-18 and 5:33.
Note the connection between LOVE and HOLINESS (v. 13). Love is the "law" for the Christian (Galatians 5:14) and is the principal measure of his holiness, that is, of his separation to God. God being perfectly holy, is the only perfect Judge of holiness and He judges us not as a hostile enemy, but rather as a loving Father.
The "saints" in 3:13 are the true believers (Christians) who are “justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1st Corinthians 6:11). Also, “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all "(Hebrews 10:10). This sanctification of state or position before God must be confirmed by the conduct of those who call themselves Christians. See Romans 12:1, Colossians 1:22, and especially the 1 Peter 1:15 and 2 Peter 3:11.
Richard Dawson Jones (1895 - 1987)
1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,
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,
3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.
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.
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.
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—
7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.
8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
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?
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,
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.
1 Thessalonians chapter 3