1 Thessalonians 3:1-8

1: Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone,
2: and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,
3: so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.
4: For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know.
5: For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.

6: But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you,
7: for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith;
8: for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

*** 

Paul previously stated his desire to go see the Thessalonians after having left them so hastily, as we read in Acts 17:5-10, but was hindered by Satan from going to see them. So, he said when they couldn’t endure it any longer, they decided to send Timothy to the Thessalonians while Paul went to Athens. They longed to know how the Thessalonians were doing. After Athens, Paul went to Corinth where they met up again, and he received word about the Thessalonians’ condition. Corinth is where this letter was written. (Acts 17:14-16, 18:1-5).

So, Timothy was sent to the Thessalonians to strengthen and encourage them in the faith. They wanted to be sure that the troubles and persecution that had come to them didn’t shake their faith. Paul & Co. had warned them of this coming persecution, but Paul was afraid that “the tempter” would come and lead them astray and their work among them would be lost. Timothy would not only encourage them but would also bring back word to Paul about where they stood in their faith.

After Timothy brought word of their faith and love, and that they thought kindly of Paul, longing to see him just as he longed for them, Paul was encouraged. Whatever trouble Paul was going through at the time, it comforted him to hear of their faith. This is what the purpose of his life was. “For now we really live,” he said, “if you stand firm in the Lord.”

It’s a comfort to receive messages of hope like the word Timothy brought. Word that the hard work and troubles you’ve gone through have not been in vain and are producing fruit. Especially if you are still working hard and suffering because of it. There are troubles that we go through while serving the Lord, yet times of refreshing come, often through encouraging words of fellow believers.


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