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1 Thessalonians 3:4

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Thessalonians 3:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For 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.
1 Thessalonians 3:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Thessalonians 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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:
← 1 Thessalonians 3:31 Thessalonians 3:5 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For, verily, when we were with you, etc.] In presence, in person, as they then were in heart and affection; when they were first among them, and preached the Gospel to them: we told you before; before it came to pass; that we should suffer tribulation: which they might say by virtue of Christ's prediction to all his disciples, that they should have tribulation in the world; and upon its being the common case of God's people, and the usual way through which they enter the kingdom; and the Apostle Paul might foretell this, upon the discovery that was made to him how many things he should suffer for the sake of Christ, and which therefore he always, and in every place expected; and he might…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“that we should suffer--Greek, "that we are about (we are sure) to suffer" according to the appointment of God (Th1 3:3). even as--"even (exactly) as it both came to pass and ye know"; ye know both that it came to pass, and that we foretold it (compare Joh 13:19). The correspondence of the event to the prediction powerfully confirms faith: "Forewarned, forearmed" [EDMUNDS]. The repetition of "ye know," so frequently, is designed as an argument, that being forewarned of coming affliction, they should be less readily "moved" by it.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For verily, when we were with you, we told you before ... - It is not mentioned in the history Acts 17:0 that Paul thus predicted that special trials would come upon them, but there is no improbability in what is here said. He was with them long enough to discourse to them on a great variety of topics, and nothing can be more probable, than that in their circumstances, the subjects of persecution and affliction would be prominent topics of discourse. There was every reason to apprehend that they would meet with opposition on account of their religion, and nothing was more natural than that Paul should endearour to prepare their minds for it beforehand, That we should suffer tribulation - We…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“we told: Joh 16:1-3; Act 20:24 even: Th1 2:2, Th1 2:14; Act 17:1, Act 17:5-9, Act 17:13; Co2 8:1, Co2 8:2; Th2 1:4-6 1 Thessalonians 3:5”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification