1 To show his affection towards them, he sendeth Timothy unto them: 6 He is so moved by the report of their prosperous state, 9 that he cannot give sufficient thanks, 11 and therefore he breaketh out into prayer.

Wherefore since we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to remain at Athens alone,

(A)And have sent Timothy our brother and minister of God, and our labor fellow in the Gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you touching your faith,

That no man should be moved with these afflictions: [a]for ye yourselves know, that we are appointed thereunto.

For verily when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulations, even as it came to pass, and ye know it.

Even for this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent him that I might know of your faith, lest the tempter had tempted you in any sort, and that our labor had been in vain.

[b]But now lately when Timothy came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring to see us, as we also do you,

Therefore brethren, we had consolation in you, in all our affliction and necessity through your faith.

For now are we [c]alive, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

For what thanks can we recompense to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we rejoice for your sakes before our God,

10 Night and day, (B)praying exceedingly, that we might see your face, and might [d]accomplish that which is lacking in your faith?

11 Now God himself, even our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, guide our journey unto you.

12 [e]And the Lord increase you, and make you abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

13 (C)To make your hearts stable and unblameable in holiness before God even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his Saints.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 3:3 The will of God, who calleth his on this condition, to bring them to glory by affliction is a most sure remedy against all affliction.
  2. 1 Thessalonians 3:6 Because they have hitherto gone so well forward, he exhorteth them again to make an end of the rest of the journey, seeing that therein also they shall do him their Apostle a great pleasure.
  3. 1 Thessalonians 3:8 For now you cannot otherwise think me safe and in good case, unless you go forward in religion and faith.
  4. 1 Thessalonians 3:10 Paul was constrained through the importunate dealing of the enemies to leave the building which he had scarce begun: And for that cause he had left Silas and Timothy in Macedonia, and when Timothy came to Athens to him, he sent him back again straightway. So that he desireth to see the Thessalonians, that he may thereby thoroughly accomplish their faith and religion, that was as yet imperfect.
  5. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 Another part of the Epistle, wherein he speaketh of the duties of a Christian life. And he showeth that the perfection of a Christian life consisteth in two things, to wit, in charity toward all men, and inward purity of the heart, the accomplishment whereof notwithstanding is deferred to the next coming of Christ, who will then perfect his work by the same grace, wherewith he began it in us.

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