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1 Thessalonians Chapter 3

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 13 Verses

What is 1 Thessalonians 3 about?

Encouragement on Christian living, sanctification, and the coming of the Lord for his people. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone;
2and sent Timothy, our brother and God`s minister in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort [you] concerning your faith;
3that no man be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that hereunto we are appointed.
4For verily, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
5For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.
6But when Timothy came even now unto us from you, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, even as we also [to see] you;
7for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith:
8for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
9For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
10night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you:
12and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also [do] toward you;
13to the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 2
“And sent Timotheus our brother, etc.] In a spiritual relation, having the same heavenly Father, and belonging to the same Jerusalem, which is free, and the mother of us all; of the same household and in the same relation to Christ, the firstborn among many brethren; or their brother in the ministry, who was employed in the same business, and did the same work they did; or he is so called, on account of that strict and intimate friendship which subsisted between them, by virtue of which they stuck as close as brethren, or closer to one another than brethren usually do: and minister of God; of his making, and not…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“PROOF OF HIS DESIRE AFTER THEM IN HIS HAVING SENT TIMOTHY: HIS JOY AT THE TIDINGS BROUGHT BACK CONCERNING THEIR FAITH AND CHARITY: PRAYERS FOR THEM. (Th1 3:1-13) Wherefore--because of our earnest love to you (Th1 2:17-20). forbear--"endure" the suspense. The Greek is literally applied to a watertight vessel. When we could no longer contain ourselves in our yearning desire for you. left at Athens alone--See my Introduction. This implies that he sent Timothy from Athens, whither the latter had followed him. However, the "we" favors ALFORD'S view that the determination to send Timothy was formed during the hasty…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Wherefore - See 1 Thessalonians 2:18. This particle (διὸ dio) is designed here to refer to another proof of his affection for them. One evidence had been referred to in his strong desire to visit them, which he had been unable to accomplish 1 Thessalonians 2:18, and he here refers to another - to wit, the fact that he had sent Timothy to them. We could no longer forbear - That is, when I could not 1 Thessalonians 3:5, for there is every evidence that Paul refers to himself only though he uses the plural form of the word. There was no one with him at Athens after he had sent Timothy away Acts 17:15; Acts 18:5,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“We - Paul and Silvanus. Could bear no longer - Our desire and fear for you. 1 Thessalonians 3:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“3:1-5 After preaching in Berea, Paul had departed from Macedonia and sailed to Athens, instructing Silas and Timothy to join him soon (Acts 17:13-15). Timothy returned to Thessalonica (1 Thes 3:2), as Paul’s anxiety for the Thessalonian church had intensified (3:1, 5).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“when: Th1 3:5, Th1 2:17; Jer 20:9, Jer 44:22; Co2 2:13, Co2 11:29, Co2 11:30 we thought: Act 17:15 1 Thessalonians 3:2”
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