1 Thessalonians 3

Paul explains why he sent Timothy to check on the young Thessalonian church, and how glad he was at the good report. His joy turns into thanksgiving and prayer. He asks that God would bring him back to them, make their love overflow, and strengthen their hearts for Christ’s coming.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-2

Paul could not stand the uncertainty any longer. He chose to stay in Athens without his companions and sent Timothy, a trusted co-worker, to build up the Thessalonians’ faith. It cost Paul something, and it shows how much he cared for them.

BSA: strengthen (“establish, set firmly”): Timothy’s task was to put their faith on a solid footing, like setting a post deep in the ground. fellow worker (“co-worker, laborer together”): Paul shares the work of the gospel as an equal partner with Timothy and does not stand above him.

Greek: στηρίξαι (stērixai, G4741) — “to make firm, to prop up.” It paints a picture of bracing something so it will not fall. Timothy was sent to steady them, not just to cheer them up.

1 Thessalonians 3:3-4

Paul had told them plainly that following Christ would bring suffering, so the trials did not mean something had gone wrong. Hardship was part of the road, and now they could see his warning had been true.

BSA: shaken (“disturbed, unsettled”): Trouble can rattle a believer’s confidence, and Paul wanted none of them to be thrown off balance.

See also: John 16:33; Acts 14:22.

1 Thessalonians 3:5

Paul says again that he could wait no longer. His fear was that the tempter had worn down their faith so that his work was wasted. Behind the pressure from outside stood a spiritual enemy who wants believers to give up.

BSA: tempter (“Satan, the evil one”): The BSA names the tempter as Satan, the real opponent behind the pressure the Thessalonians felt. in vain (“empty, without result, futile”): Paul feared his labor might prove hollow, with nothing lasting to show for it.

See also: Matthew 4:3.

1 Thessalonians 3:6

Timothy has just returned with wonderful news. The Thessalonians are still trusting God and loving one another. They also remember Paul warmly and long to see him, just as he longs to see them.

BSA: good news (“glad tidings, gospel”): Paul uses the very word for the gospel, showing how precious their steadfastness was to him.

Greek: εὐαγγελισαμένου (euangelisamenou, G2097) — “having brought good news.” This is the verb form of the word ‘gospel’. Timothy’s report of their faith was itself cheering news.

1 Thessalonians 3:7

In the middle of his own hardship, Paul was comforted. Their faith lifted him up even though his outward troubles were unchanged. A steady church can encourage the very people who taught it.

BSA: reassured (“comforted, cheered up”): Their faith brought real comfort to Paul in the middle of pressure.

1 Thessalonians 3:8

Paul says that he truly lives when they stand firm in the Lord. He does not mean that his life depends on them. He means that their faithfulness refreshes him and makes his sufferings seem lighter.

BSA: standing (“remaining steadfast”): It describes continuing to hold the ground and not giving way. go on living (“feel properly alive again”): Their good report brought new energy to Paul’s spirit.

See also: Philippians 4:1.

1 Thessalonians 3:9

Paul’s joy is so large that he cannot find thanks big enough. He pours it out before God, because every good thing in the Thessalonians’ faith is God’s gift.

BSA: adequately (“fully, completely”): Paul feels that no amount of thanks could match what God has done.

1 Thessalonians 3:10

Paul’s prayer is constant and heartfelt. He wants to see them in person and help complete what is lacking in their faith. Even a healthy church still has room to grow, and teaching is how that growth is fed.

BSA: supply (“complete, make perfect”): It carries the sense of mending or fitting something out until it is whole. lacking (“deficient, incomplete”): Their faith was real but still needed more teaching and growth.

Greek: καταρτίσαι (katartisai, G2675) — “to put in order, to mend, to equip.” The word was used for mending fishing nets and setting broken bones. Paul wants to repair and fully equip their faith.

See also: Mark 1:19.

1 Thessalonians 3:11

Paul asks God to open the way to Thessalonica. He puts the Father and the Lord Jesus together as the one source of guidance. He depends on God for even his travel plans.

BSA: direct (“guide, lead us on the path”): Paul asks God to clear the road and steer him, since earlier his plans had been blocked.

See also: 1 Thessalonians 2:18.

1 Thessalonians 3:12

Paul prays that their love would keep growing and spill over, first to fellow believers and then to everyone. He points to his own love for them as the pattern. Love is meant to grow and not stay small.

BSA: overflow (“to superabound, to exceed”): Paul wants love that goes beyond what is required, like a cup filled past its brim. love (“unconditional affection, agape”): This is the self-giving love that seeks another’s good, and not merely warm feeling.

Greek: πλεονάσαι (pleonasai, G4121) — “to make more, to increase.” Paul stacks two words, ‘increase’ and ‘overflow’, to show that he wants their love to be plentiful beyond measure.

See also: John 13:34-35.

1 Thessalonians 3:13

The goal of all this growth is hearts that are firm and holy when Jesus returns. Paul looks ahead to the day believers stand before God. Love and holiness now prepare the heart for that meeting.

BSA: establish (“firmly set, make stable”): God is the one who makes the heart steady, so that holiness does not depend on our own strength. holiness (“set apart for God”): It means belonging to God and living for Him.

See also: 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Jude 1:24.