1 Thessalonians 3
3
1Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing #Acts 17:15, 16to be left behind at Athens alone, 2and we #See Phil. 2:19 sent Timothy, #2 Cor. 1:1; Col. 1:1; Philem. 1; Heb. 13:23our brother and God’s coworker#3:2 Some manuscripts servant in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that #See Acts 9:16; 14:22we are destined for this. 4For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, #See ch. 2:14just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5For this reason, #ver. 1, 2 when I could bear it no longer, #ver. 1, 2 I sent to learn about your faith, #[1 Cor. 7:5; 2 Cor. 11:3] for fear that somehow #Matt. 4:3 the tempter had tempted you and #See Phil. 2:16our labor would be in vain.
Timothy’s Encouraging Report
6But #Acts 18:5; [2 Cor. 7:6, 9] now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of #See ch. 1:3 your faith and love and reported #[1 Cor. 11:2] that you always remember us kindly and #See Phil. 1:8long to see us, as we long to see you— 7for this reason, brothers,#3:7 Or brothers and sisters in all our distress and affliction #2 Cor. 1:4we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8For now we live, if you #See 1 Cor. 16:13are standing fast in the Lord. 9For #[ch. 1:2]what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10as we pray most earnestly #2 Tim. 1:3 night and day #ch. 2:17; [Rom. 1:10] that we may see you face to face and #See 2 Cor. 13:9supply what is lacking in your faith?
11Now may #See Gal. 1:4 our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, #2 Thess. 3:5direct our way to you, 12and may the Lord #ch. 4:1, 10; Phil. 1:9; 2 Thess. 1:3 make you increase and abound in love #ch. 4:9; 5:15for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13so that he may #James 5:8 establish your hearts blameless in holiness before #[See ver. 11 above] our God and Father, at #See ch. 2:19 the coming of our Lord Jesus #Zech. 14:5; Jude 14with all his saints.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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