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Matthew Henry

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 3:3

That no man should be moved by these afflictions ,.... Which the apostle endured for the sake of preaching the Gospel among them, and which he feared might be a means of troubling their minds, of shaking their faith, and moving them from the hope of the Gospel; for though none of these things moved him, who was an old soldier of Christ, and used to hardness, and an apostle of Christ; yet these were young converts, and not used to such things, and therefore might be staggered at them, and be... read more

Adam Clarke

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

That no man should be moved - That is, caused to apostatize from Christianity. We are appointed thereunto - Εις τουτο κειμεθα· We are exposed to this, we lie open to such, they are unavoidable in the present state of things; as the Latins say, sic est sors nostra , "this is our lot." God appoints nothing of this kind, but he permits it: for he has made man a free agent. read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 3 3For ye yourselves know. As all would gladly exempt themselves from the necessity of bearing the cross, Paul teaches that there is no reason why believers should feel dismayed on occasion of persecutions, as though it were a thing that was new and unusual, inasmuch as this is our condition, which the Lord has assigned to us. For this manner of expression — we are appointed to it — is as though he had said, that we are Christians on this condition. He says, however, that they know it,... 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

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 3:3

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

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