1 Thessalonians - Chapter 3

According to Acts 17:14-15, Paul had gone to Athens alone and then sent for Silas and Timothy to join him from Berea.

 

14The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.

 

In chapter 3 of 1 Thessalonians, Paul continues to tell the Thessalonians of his longing to be with them. He was concerned about the new-born Thessalonian Church and had sent Timothy back to encourage them under the bitter persecution they were undergoing.

 

1So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.

Although Paul wanted more than anything to return to Thessalonica himself to be with the new church members, he didn’t feel it was safe, so he sent Timothy instead.

 

2We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.

 

“Co-worker in God’s service” or “God’s fellow worker”: This is an interesting way of viewing Christian service. Timothy was sent back to help encourage them in their Christian service and help make them stronger in their faith.

 

Paul says Christians are to expect troubles. It is our destiny to have to face them. These trials are not disasters because they advance God’s purposes.

 

4In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.

 

Paul says when they were with them they had warned them they would be persecuted, and it happened just as he had said.

 

5For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

 

Paul’s major concern over the new believers in Thessalonica was “the tempter” would discourage them and cause their work there to be wasted.

 

The ‘tempter,’ of course, is Satan. Some churches today are afraid to preach about Satan. Some people, although they believe in God and Heaven, refuse to believe Satan exists or that there is a hell. Yet he is spoken of in every major division of the New Testament. He is supreme among evil spirits as we see in John 16:8-11…

 

8When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

 

…& Ephesians 2:1-2

 

1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

 

Satan’s activities can affect us physically and the spiritually as we read in the following scriptures:

 

2 Corinthians 12:7 “… 7or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.”

 

Matthew 13:38-39 “38The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.”

 

Mark 4:15 “15Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.”

 

2 Corinthians 4:4 “4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

 

Satan tempted Jesus and continues to tempt Jesus’ servants as we read in the following verses:

 

Luke 22:3 “3Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.”

 

1 Corinthians 7:5 “5Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

 

But Satan has already been defeated…

 

Colossians 2:15 “15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he (Jesus) made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

 

…Christians need to be on their guard and not be overwhelmed by him.

 

Ephesians 6:16 “16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."

 

Satan’s final overthrow is certain:

 

Revelation 20:10 “10And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever."

 

Now let’s get back to 1 Thessalonians:

 

6But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.

 

Timothy returned with the news of their steadfastness and devotion and Paul is filled with joy over this news.

 

This is the only time the Greek term meaning ‘good news’ is used by Paul for something other than the gospel.

 

There were three things Timothy reported about the Thessalonians which made Paul happy:

•  Their faith (right attitude toward God),
• Their love (right attitude toward man),
• Their good memories of Paul and desire to see him again (right attitude toward Paul).

7Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.

 

Although Paul is in trouble and is suffering, he explains to them he is joyful because their faith has encouraged him.

 

8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.

 

Because the Thessalonians have so much faith and are steadfast, this makes Paul’s heart soar with happiness, making him feel alive with purpose. That’s what he meant by “for now we really live”.

 

9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?

 

Paul could have congratulated himself on a job well-done because it was his evangelism that had been effective in Thessalonica, but instead he thanked God for the joy he had from what God had done there.

 

10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

 

“Night and Day” doesn’t mean there were two set times he prayed, but he means “frequent and constant prayer.” The Greek word which is translated as ‘most earnestly’ is a strong and unusual compound word that expresses immense passion.

 

Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians was that they would soon be with them and be able to supply what is needed to keep them strong in their faith.

 

These new Christians needed moral teaching and disciplinary training. They also needed doctrinal guidance such as clearing up any confusion about Christ’s return.

 

Their faith is obviously uppermost in Paul’s mind because this is the fifth time in this chapter he mentions their faith.

 

11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

 

Paul frequently breaks into prayer in the middle of his letters. This is an example. It shows how much he wishes to return to them.

 

12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

 

He prays for them to remain strong and love each other just as he loves them.

 

13May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

 

Again, Paul reminds them of Christ’s eventual return.

 

He says we should prepare for this event by setting ourselves apart for God.

 

“Holy ones” is a term used of the Christians (or saints) in many New Testament passages.

 

 

Ask yourself these questions:

 

What personal accomplishments will count for something when we stand in the presence of Christ?

 

What practical things can we do to help strengthen and encourage others in their faith?

 

How does Satan hinder or stop our efforts or plans?

 

How do we resist the temptations that hinder our spiritual progress?

 

In what ways can we prepare this week to get ready for Christ’s return?