1 Thessalonians 3

1 So when we could [no longer forbear, endure] bear it no longer, we were willing [thought it good] to be left [abandoned, remaining] on our own [alone, solitary] in [at, among] Athens [the city, a center of culture]. word study 2 We sent Timothy, our brother [and fellow minister of God] and fellow worker [co-worker, laborer together] for God [the supreme Creator] in the gospel [good news, message of salvation] of Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah], to strengthen [establish, set firmly] and encourage [comfort, plead with] you in your faith [trust, confidence in God], word study 3 so that none of you [no one, not a single person] would be shaken [disturbed, unsettled] by these trials [afflictions, pressures]. For you know [perceive, are aware] that we are destined [appointed to suffer] [appointed, laid] for this [these things, such experiences]. word study 4 Indeed, when [at a specific point in time] we were with [in the presence of] you, we kept warning [foretelling] you that we would suffer [be afflicted] persecution [tribulation, trouble]; and as [just as] you know [are aware], it has come to pass [happened, as expected]. word study 5 For this reason [because of our deep concern], when I could bear it no longer [could no longer forbear, was no longer able to keep quiet], I sent [to know] to find out about your faith [trust, confidence in God], for fear that the tempter [Satan, the evil one] had somehow tempted you [tested your resolve, caused you to doubt] and caused our labor [hard work, toil] to be in vain [empty, without result, futile]. word study 6 But just now [at this very moment], Timothy [dear to God] has returned from his visit with the good news [glad tidings, gospel] about your faith [trust, confidence in God], your love [unconditional, divine affection], and the fond memories [good remembrance] you have preserved, longing [deeply desiring] to see us just as we long [yearn, intensely desire] to see you. word study 7 For this reason [because of this cause], brothers [fellow believers, brethren], in all [every, each] our distress [affliction, trouble] and persecution [tribulation, pressure], we have been reassured [comforted, cheered up] about you, because of [through, by means of] your faith [trust, confidence in God]. word study 8 For now [at this present time] we can go on living [feel properly alive again], as long as you are standing [remaining steadfast] firm [unshakeable, unwavering] in the Lord [the supreme Master, God]. word study 9 How can we adequately [fully, completely] thank God [the one true deity, our Heavenly Father] for you in return for our great [abundant, overflowing] joy [deep and lasting happiness] over you in [before, in the presence of] His presence [before our God, in His sight]? word study 10 Night [and darkness, a time of rest] and day [a 24-hour period, a time of activity] we pray [begging, asking for help] most earnestly [exceedingly, with intense desire] that we may see [perceive, have a face-to-face encounter] you face to face [in person, with no barriers] and supply [complete, make perfect] what is lacking [deficient, incomplete] from your faith [trust, confidence in God]. word study 11 Now may our God [the supreme deity, Father of all] and Father Himself, and our Lord [Master, Savior] Jesus, direct [guide, lead us on the path] our way [journey, path] to you [toward your presence, with you]. word study 12 And may the Lord [God, the supreme authority] cause you to increase [to abound, to grow] and overflow [to superabound, to exceed] with love [unconditional affection, agape] for one another [toward each other, mutually] and for everyone else [all men, all people], just as our love [unconditional love, charity] for you overflows [abounds, is abundant], word study 13 so that He may establish [firmly set, make stable] your hearts [the seat of thoughts, feelings, and emotions] in blamelessness [free from fault, unblamable] and holiness [set apart for God, sanctification] before our God [the one true deity, Elohim] and Father [the male parent, heavenly Father] at the coming [arrival, presence] of our Lord Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] with all His saints [holy ones, set apart for God]. Amen. word study