1 Thessalonians 3:5

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 3:5

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear ,.... Or "bear" the above vehement desire of seeing them, or of hearing from them. Here the apostle speaks in the singular number, and seems to intimate, as if what was said before of the like kind is to be understood singly of him; for these words are a repetition and summary of the foregoing, with some diversity: I sent to know your faith; how it stood, whether it was staggering through these afflictions, or firm; whether it was weak or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 3:5

For this cause - Knowing that you would be persecuted, and knowing that your apostasy was possible, I sent to know your faith - whether you continued steadfast in the truth, lest you might have been tempted by Satan to consult your present ease, and abandon the Gospel, for which you suffered persecution. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 3:5

Verse 5 5Lest perhaps the tempter has tempted you. By this term he teaches us that temptations are always to be dreaded, because it is the proper office of Satan to tempt. As, however, he never ceases to place ambushes for us on all sides, and to lay snares for us all around, so we must be on our watch, eagerly taking heed. And now he says openly what in the outset he had avoided saying, as being too harsh — that he had felt concerned lest his labors should be vain, if, peradventure, Satan... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 3:5

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear ; no longer repress my anxiety, and endure my want of information concerning you. I sent to know your faith ; to receive information concerning your spiritual condition. Lest by some means the tempter ; a designation of Satan, used also by Matthew 4:3 . Have tempted you, and our labor be in vain ; that is, useless, without result (see on 1 Thessalonians 2:1 ; comp. also Galatians 4:11 , "I am afraid, lest I have bestowed upon you... read more

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