1 Thessalonians 3:2-4

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

When the apostle could no longer control his longing to see his converts, he sent them Timothy by way of relieving his solicitude in their behalf. His love for them was manifest in all the circumstances of this mission. I. HE SACRIFICES HIS OWN IMMEDIATE COMFORT TO THEIR BENEFIT . "We thought it good to be left at Athens alone." 1. Though Timothy was most necessary to him in the ministry, he parted with him for their good . 2. Athens, as a seat of boundless... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

I. THE MISSION OF TIMOTHY . 1. He could no longer forbear . Mark the intensity of his affection. He repeats the words twice, verse 1 and verse 5, first in the plural, then in the singular number, implying, perhaps, that while all the missionaries longed to know how it fared with the Thessalonians, his longing was the most overmastering. He must hear of his converts, cost him what it might. The suspense was agonizing; he could endure it no longer; so deep, so burning, was his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

I. PAUL ALONE AT ATHENS . "Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone." There is continued the use of the plural; but it is to be regarded as corrected by the use of the singular in the fifth verse. The correction relates to the mission of Timothy, which is to be understood as covering Paul's being left behind at Athens. For want of full materials it is difficult to understand the bearing of what is said in the Acts of the Apostles... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:2

And sent Timotheus . This was a great act of self-sacrifice on the part of Paul; because to be without an assistant and fellow-laborer in the gospel in such a city as Athens, the very center and strong hold of heathenism, full of temples and idols, must necessarily have brought upon him many discomforts; and yet his anxiety for the Thessalonians overcame all motives of personal convenience. Our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-laborer. The reading of manuscripts here varies.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:3

This verse contains the object of the exhortation; the clause is an accusative to the verb. That no man should be moved (or, shaken ) by; or rather in ; expressing the position in which they were placed. These afflictions. The same word as "tribulation" in the next verse. For yourselves know. How they knew is explained, partly from the forewarnings of the apostle, and partly from their own experience. That we ; not to be referred to Paul only, nor to Paul and his companions,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4

True religion, instead of delivering those who possess it from suffering, rather entails suffering upon them. Believers are appointed by God to suffer tribulation. This was peculiarly true of the early Christians, but it is true generally. We are appointed to afflictions 1 Thessalonians 3:3 , 1 Thessalonians 3:8 - Steadfastness in faith and affliction. "That no man should be moved by these afflictions." We are certainly not now exposed to persecutions, but still there are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:4

For ; assigning the reason why they should not be moved by these afflictions. Verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we ; here also Christians in general. Should suffer. Not a simple future, but denoting that it was thus appointed in the counsels of God—that their tribulation was the result of the Divine purpose. Tribulation ( affliction ); even as it came to pass, and ye know; that is, from your own experience. The affliction, then, was not some strange thing... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Thessalonians 3:2

And sent Timotheus - That is, evidently, he sent him from Athens - for this is the fair construction of the passage. But in the history Acts 17:0 there is no mention that Timothy came to Athens at all, and it may be asked how this statement is reconcilable with the record in the Acts ? It is mentioned there that “the brethren sent away Paul (from Berea) to go, as it were, to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. And they that conducted Paul brought him to Athens;” Acts 17:14-15.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Thessalonians 3:3

That no man should be moved - The word rendered “moved” (σαίνω sainō) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It properly means to wag, to move to and fro, as of dogs which wag their tails in fondness (Hom. Od. K. 216. AEl. A. N. 10:7. Ovid. 14:258); then to caress, to fawn upon, to flatter; then to move or waver in mind - as from fear; to dread, to tremble. See Passow and Wetstein. Here the sense is, to be so moved or agitated by fear, or by the terror of persecution, as to forsake their... read more

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