1 Thessalonians 3:4 - Exposition

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 which had befallen them.