In this chapter Paul shows his concern about not being able to return to the Thessalonian Church in person to help and encourage them in their time of affliction and persecution. Although Paul could not go himself, he did the next best thing which was to send his trusted companion and fellow missionary Timothy.
The reason Paul could not go himself was that he had his hands full in Athens where he was ministering to the Jews in the Athenian synagogue and also to the gentile worshippers that were there, and on top of this he was contending with the Greek philosophers who gathered regularly at the Areopagus, which was a “rocky outcrop” meeting place for the Areopagus, a group of men who were named after the rock itself.
The Areopagus was the earliest aristocratic council of ancient Athens. In pre-classical times, the Areopagus was the council of elders of the city of Athens, like the Roman Senate. Its membership was restricted to those who held high public office. You can read about all this in Acts 17:16-34.
Note: in the body on this article the verses from 1 Thessalonians 3 are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.Paul sends Timothy
1Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.
In verses 1-5 we see the depth of Paul’s love and concern for the Thessalonian Church. He uses the phrase “when we could no longer endure it” which would indicate that his concern for them was always on his mind! And when he could stand it no longer, he decides to make a personal sacrifice by sending Timothy to them even though he still needed Timothy’s help in Athens!
Paul so desperately wanted to bring encouragement to the Thessalonians to strengthen them in their faith and to help them to overcome the afflictions, persecution and trials that they were going through.
Shouldn’t this still be the aim of today’s believer and today’s Church? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! It should still be our aim and purpose to strengthen and build each other up!
Paul’s action here is a glowing example of putting others needs before our own. This is something that we, today’s believers, need to be putting into action in our lives daily. Let’s make every effort to put the needs of our brothers and sisters before our own and imitate Paul as he imitated Christ!
We find In verse 4 Paul’s stark reminder that we, all born again Christians, will go through times of struggle and affliction, and these are not times to pull away from Jesus and fellowship with others, but rather it is time for us to draw closer, to humble ourselves before God so that He can lift us up!
Verse 5 is a reminder that we, the Church, need to look out for each other, encourage each and help each other in times of trouble so that none of us fall into the clutches of Satan and none of us allow our faith in Christ Jesus to crumble in the face of adversity! Especially in these end times!
Encouraged by Timothy's Report back
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
When Timothy returned from his visit to the Thessalonians, he brought Paul good news. The Thessalonians were doing well in their faith in Christ Jesus and in their love for Him and each other. Paul’s letter to them served to not only tell them how pleasing this was to him but also to encourage them further.
As followers of Jesus, dear readers, we need to always actively encourage each other in word and deed building each other up in our faith at all times and especially in these last days!
This is a reminder to today’s Church whether pastor, elder or ordinary congregant that this is the kind of relationship which ought to exist amongst between us as part of our daily Christian Walk. When things are not going well with us, we are to count ourselves blessed and be grateful in the knowledge of our salvation and the love we have in Christ Jesus, even though in other respects we are surrounded by and probably going through much distress and affliction.
In verses 7-9 Paul lets the Thessalonians know that he and Silvanus were overjoyed with the good news that Timothy had brought them that they were standing strong in the faith which has stirred them (Paul, Silvanus and Timothy) up to pray even more for them and giving thanks to God for them and rejoicing at their steadfastness.
Church, let us be the same, showing joy and thanksgiving for each other and helping each other, through encouragement to grow stronger and stronger in our faith in Christ Jesus especially during times of trial and tribulation!
And as Paul says in verse 10 let’s pray for each other more and more in these last days and help each other’s faith to grow stronger and stronger day by day!
Paul’s Prayer for the Church
11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
Paul, in verses 11-13, ends this chapter by praying for the Thessalonians. In verse 11 of his prayer, he continues to show his desire to return to Thessalonica when he asks both the Father and the Son to make a way for them to return.
In verse 12 Paul asks the Lord to make the Thessalonian Church’s love for one another increase and abound so that He (Jesus) may establish their hearts as blameless in holiness in the eyes of the Father, in preparation for when the Lord returns. He was looking to the future as well so that the Church will be blameless before God when we stand before Him to give an account of ourselves!
Paul’s prayer leaves us, the Church today, with a great example of how we should be praying for each other so that we can be blameless in holiness in our hearts and in Christ Jesus when we stand before God to give an account of ourselves. We are charged to help each other in our Christian Walk.
Life application for today’s believers
We should:
1. Have God’s love and concern for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
2. Put the needs of others before our own.
3. Be building each other up through encouragement and edification.
4. Be doers of the Word and imitators of Christ.
5. Be drawing closer to God in the bad times.
6. Be serving God and each other in submission and humility.
7. Be giving thanks to God for each other always.
8. Be seeking peace and not strife.
9. Be praying continually for each other.
10. Always give glory to Jesus.
Prayer
Dear Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would continually help me to put the needs of others before my own and to humbly serve the congregation you have placed me. Help me. Lord, to be an encourager and to help build others up in their most holy faith in Christ Jesus. Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit and lead and guide me in all truth. Help me Lord to fulfil the Father’s will for my life that I may glorify the name of Jesus! Amen.
Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!
Glory, Glory to the Lord God Almighty!! Thank You brother Ray for an awesome teaching! God Bless You Abundantly my friend!
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