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Strengthening Faith Through Encouragement — 1 Thess 3:1-13 Daily Word
Concerned that the faith of the Thessalonian church might waver, Paul sends Timothy to them. When Timothy returns with the encouraging news of their steadfast faith and love, Paul is greatly comforted, and he earnestly prays that what is lacking in their faith may be supplied and that they may be blameless in holiness at the coming of the Lord.
[Scripture]
[1] Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, [2] and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, [3] that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. [4] For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. (1 Thess 3:1-4, ESV)
[5] For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. [6] But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—[7] for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. [8] For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. (1 Thess 3:5-8, ESV)
[9] For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, [10] as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? [11] Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, [12] and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, [13] so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. (1 Thess 3:9-13, ESV)
[Daily Word]
In the preceding passage of chapter 2, even as Paul and Silas endured persecution, affliction, and hardship in their missionary work, there was one thing of which they were certain: “our coming to you was not in vain.” This is because, through the conviction of the gospel, (Acts 17:4) a great number of devout Greeks and not a few prominent women received Jesus.
However, the Jews opposed the gospel that Paul and Silas proclaimed. They could not stand by as their own members converted to Christianity. So they resorted to slander and even hired troublemakers in order to drive Paul and Silas out of Thessalonica — and they succeeded. Yet in response to the conduct of these Jews, Paul expresses in (2:16): [16] by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last! (1 Thess 2:16, ESV)
Paul is grieved that he cannot preach the gospel in Thessalonica.
In light of this, verse 18 states, “Satan hindered us.” And to the believers in Thessalonica he says, [19] For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? [20] For you are our glory and joy. (1 Thess 2:19-20, ESV)
However, Paul and Silas, who had been forced to leave Thessalonica abruptly, traveled through Berea and on to Athens. Throughout this journey, they had lost contact with the Thessalonians. What made it all the more heavy on their hearts was the knowledge that the believers in Thessalonica were suffering severe oppression from Jews and Romans who did not believe in Jesus. Paul therefore decided to send Timothy to bring back news from Thessalonica.
Paul introduces Timothy as “a servant of God and our brother in the gospel of Christ.” He then explains the purpose of Timothy’s visit to them with the words [2] and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, (1 Thess 3:2, ESV) — to establish and encourage them in their faith. Thessalonica in particular was being slandered by Jews and political figures. Paul therefore sends Timothy so that the believers there would not be shaken amid their various afflictions.
Paul regarded suffering and trials as part of the life of faith. This is because alongside the life of holding on to faith, there also exists the attack of Satan, who seeks to make us let go of it. In the same sense, Jesus says in (John 16:33): “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Even after Jesus came, died, and rose again, the Jewish people have continued to reject the Lord who was resurrected. In other words, those who persecute believers are, in reality, those who do not believe. We believe in the midst of those who do not. Therefore, while God clearly grants us peace, living out our faith in this world is a very real and practical matter. In that sense, we must recognize that unless we remain spiritually awake in this world, our “faith” can come under attack at any moment.
Paul receives news about the church in Thessalonica through Timothy.
This news is a message of joy — indeed, the gospel. For in verse 6, just as we longed to hear news of the Thessalonian church,
1 Thessalonians, Paul, Timothy, faith, gospel
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