1 Thessalonians 3:1 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

In these words the apostle gives an account of his sending Timothy to the Thessalonians. Though he was hindered from going to them himself, yet his love was such that he could not forbear sending Timothy to them. Though Timothy was very useful to him, and he could not well spare him, yet Paul was content, for their good, to be left alone at Athens. Note, Those ministers do not duly value the establishment and welfare of their people who cannot deny themselves in many things for that end.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-10

3:1-10 So, when we could not stand it any longer, we made up our minds to be left all alone in Athens, and we sent Timothy our brother and God's servant in the good news of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith, to see that none of you is beguiled into leaving the faith because of these afflictions, for you yourselves know that that is the very work that God has appointed us to do. For, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we Christians always suffer for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1

Wherefore when we could no longer forbear ,.... Or "bear", as the word properly signifies; or "bear that", as the Ethiopic version reads; that is, "that desire", as the Arabic version renders it; that ardent and longing desire of seeing them again, expressed in the latter part of the preceding chapter; which was as fire in their bones, and was retained with great pain and uneasiness; but now they could hold it no longer, and like Jeremiah, Jeremiah 20:9 were weary with forbearing, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 3:1

Wherefore, when we could no longer, etc. - The apostle was anxious to hear of their state, and as he could obtain no information without sending a messenger express, he therefore sent Timothy from Athens; choosing rather to be left alone, than to continue any longer in uncertainty relative to their state. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 3:1

Verse 1 1Wherefore, when we could no longer endure. By the detail which follows, he assures them of the desire of which he had spoken. For if, on being detained elsewhere, he had sent no other to Thessalonica in his place, it might have seemed as though he were not so much concerned in regard to them; but when he substitutes Timothy in his place, he removes that suspicion, more especially when he prefers them before himself. Now that he esteemed them above himself, he shews from this, that he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1

This verse is closely connected with the concluding verses of the last chapter, from which it should not be separated. Wherefore ; on account of my affection toward you and my repeated vain attempts to see you. When we . Some refer the plural to Paul, Silas, and Timothy ( 1 Thessalonians 1:1 ); others to Paul and Silas, as Timothy had been sent to Thessalonica; but it is to be restricted to Paul, as is evident from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20 :38 and 1 Thessalonians 3:5 , and inasmuch as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 3:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 3:1

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

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