1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at alone, 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, so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. 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. 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.

The next paragraph indicates the concern that Paul had for the believers at Thessalonica. There is a real and serious danger of falling in regards to faith. The context is that of pressure. Paul is concerned that their seeing him persecuted could cause weakening and doubt. This paragraph outlines the purpose of Timothy’s visit, why he was sent and his mission.

The verse begins with “διό dio (dee-ah)” which indicates that the previous thought lends to the reason why the next will take place. Here in verses 17-20 is the premise to the action. Paul desires greatly to see them but Satan hindered his efforts. Paul expresses that the believers were the true achievement of his ministry. And because of this Timothy was sent.

This is further emphasized by the fact that his absence from them was something Paul could no longer endure. “στέγω stegō (steh’-go)” indicates a patience that continues through adversity. This is the word in 1st Corinthians 13:7 for “love endures all things.” But Paul states that the lack of knowledge about how they are is more than he can bear.

At this point Paul and his companions decide to send Timothy back to Thessalonica. :14- 16 – This indicates that both Timothy and were away from Paul while he went from Berea to Athens. Putting the pieces together it appears that Paul, being chased from Berea, decided to go to Athens and then to Corinth while leaving Silas in Berea (pure speculation) and sending Timothy to Thessalonica. Therefore this whole scenario of Paul trying to go back to Thessalonica and being burdened with fear of how they were is happening from the moment that they were chased from Thessalonica and prior to traveling to Athens. One can only speculate as to the amount of time from Acts 17:10-15.

In verse 2, Timothy was sent; Timothy is identified as brother and fellow-worker. There are some textual variances here, which do not add or subtract from the reading. The text that is used to translate to the NASB appears to be most reliable. The wording is fellow-worker of God and the gospel of Christ. Fellow-worker is “συνεργός sunergos (soon-air-gahs’)” the compound word combines the prefix “with” and the word for a person that is active or performing in a function. From the moment that Timothy joined them in Acts 16:1 to the point in Acts 17:15, Timothy has become trustworthy of being actively used for the gospel.

There are two main goals in Timothy’s visit: strengthen and encourage. Strengthen is “στηρίζω stērizō (stay-rid-zoh).” This word is defined as a function: to secure, set in purpose, set the foundation of. This can be literal or figurative. The figurative use in our text is apparent. Timothy’s first task is to ensure that they have a solid foundation in regards to their (the) faith. He has already stated emphatically that they have been saved (1:4-10). So why is Paul concerned, sending a fellow-worker of the gospel of Christ to establish a solid foundation? When we read words like gospel, establish, faith our minds typically revert back to initial salvation. Romans also has similar language (Romans 1:9-11; 15-17). Paul is not concerned with their “salvation” but with their ability to live—live successful, encouraging, God pleasing lives. This can only happen based on the foundational doctrines. The inference is that Paul is unsure that he gave them enough doctrine. Timothy was to establish their doctrines for stability.

Then Timothy was to encourage them. “παρακαλέω parakaleō (pah-rah-kha-leh’-oh)” means to call along side. This is a leadership word that indicates to assist, to help as one does. The function of Timothy as a fellow-worker of the gospel is to give them doctrinal support so that they would be able to withstand the temptations to doubt, disbelieve, and fall away from the truth.

The doctrinal establishment is designed to defend against a particular problem. In this situation the problem was “to be disturbed by these afflictions.” The word for disturbed is “σαίνομαι sainomai (sane-ah-my)” and this is the only occurrence of this word in the . The apparent root for this word is “σείω seiō (say-oh),” a word that means to shake or violently move (Hebrews 12:26; Matthew 21:10). This then in our text indicates a situation that has shaken them. The foundational reference is perfectly correlated.

The causes of this shaking are these “θλῖψις thlipsis (th-lip-sis).” This was defined in 1:6, the secular idea is to be squeezed, pressured. In the , this word indicates pressure unto believers by Satan, unbelievers, and the fallen world. The pressure is to produce unsuccessful saints. Satan cannot cause a believer to lose their salvation but can make them ineffective by being the external cause to disbelieve God in general, or cause doubt about God’s plan. In this situation, the persecution of Paul and believers is the pressure to influence them. Paul’s doctrinal standpoint is to remind them that they were told of this before it occurred. In verse 3 Paul states, “we are destined for this.” “We are destined” is “κεῖμαι keimai (kay-my).” This means to be set, laid. In this situation, it delineates a sense of being determined. Paul uses this word also in :16-17, stating that he is appointed for defense of the gospel.

Verse 4 further supports this statement by Paul writing that he told them that they would suffer persecution before it happened. The verb is “προλέγω prolegō (prah-leh-goh),” which is literally “a word before,” to predict, foretell. The grammatical form is imperfect, active, indicative. This indicates that there was a perpetual, repetitious lesson on this truth.

They were perpetually being told that persecution was coming and “it came to pass.” Paul then tells them that they know this. “οἶδα oida (oy’-dah)” is used to express that they have a full knowledge of this, because they were also recipients of the persecution. Being told prior to events happening creates an assurance, a comfort. When it happens, one can recall the information and exhortation and be comforted (John 16:1-4).

Paul restates his statement from verse 1. Literal translation: “Because of this I, being one that no longer endures, sent to know….” Know in this section is “γινώσκω ginōskō (ghin-oh-skoh).” Paul cannot know fully of their faith but he can learn information from another. The statement is to determine the content of what they believe. “What is your faith” is the question being asked. The answer is found in verses 6-7. Paul is not concerned about their financial success or about their function in society. He wants to know if they have, maintain, and are growing in respects to knowledge of , God, and the divine plan for them.

The concern is restated here as well. Being shaken (disturbed) is equated to “the tempter might have tempted you.” “The tempter” is an obvious reference to Satan; “πειράζω peirazō (pay-rahd- zoh)” is used twice here. This is defined as try, tempt, entice to sin. As a nominative participle, it identifies “the one who tempts.” The concern is that they have been tempted and then succumbed to the temptation.

The last phrase states, “our labor would be in vain.” This is the full outcome of failing to the tempter. Paul was concerned that they would succumb to the temptation and become ineffective. The word for vain is “κενός kenos (kehn-ahs),” meaning empty, with no effectiveness, worthless. Paul’s work for their salvation is firm; Paul’s investment in their future is capable of being brought to no account. Paul, as an apostle, is concerned with the full ministry of the gospel, not only justification. Colossians 2:6-8