I Thessalonians
Chapter 3
{Conference
in Athens about rumors of trouble with the Thessalonian Church-
verse 1-5}
1~~Wherefore
when we
could
no longer endure {could not stand it anymore},
we
thought it good to be left at Athens alone.
{Timothy
sent back to Thessalonica}
2~~We
{Paul and his team} sent Timothy,
our
brother, and minister of God
and
our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ
{member of the Pauline team} . . .
to
strengthen you
and
encourage you in your faith {doctrine learned and applied}.
3~~For
the purpose that
no
man should be disturbed {saino}
by
these pressures - to your advantage.
For
yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
{Note: 'Saino' is the Greek word meaning literally 'wag the tail'. It described a dog . . . who did something bad and hides under a table with his tail pulled in and gives and gives a weak wag of the tail. So it has come to mean disturbed or agitated.}
{Paul's
Sanctified 'I told you so verse'}
4~~For
verily, when we were with you,
we
kept on telling you before that we
{Paul, his party, and the Thessalonians also}
should
suffer tribulation.
Even
as it came to pass . . .
and
now you know {what Paul meant!}.
{Part
of Timothy's trip was to file a progress report with Paul}
5~~For
this cause . . .
when
I could no longer hold out . . .
I
sent {Timothy} to know your faith.
Lest
by some means the tempter {Satan} have tempted you . . .
and
our 'labor to the point of exhaustion'
be
'in vain'/empty/void {return back empty}.
{Note: Repetition similar to verse 1. Paul uses 'we sent' in verse 1, but now we see actually Paul himself sent Timothy to 'check their spiritual instruments' if you will. Were they using the Faith Rest Technique, etc.?}
{Verses
6 - Timothy's report back}
6~~
But now when Timotheus came from you unto us,
and
brought us 'good tidings'/'a good inspection report':
of
your faith {Doctrines - Faith Rest Technique},
and
love {filling of the Spirit},
and
that you have good remembrance of us always . . .
desiring
greatly to see us . . . as we also to see you.
{Note: Paul was a great bible teacher. Only people interested in receiving doctrine want to have a bible teacher around - Paul went from great concern to great happiness!}
7~~Therefore,
brethren,
we
were comforted over you
in
all our pressures and distress
by
your faith.
{Note: Timothy's report brings great comfort to Paul and his team.}
8~~For
now we are enthusiastic . . .
if
you keep on standing fast in the Lord
and
you are!
9~~
For what thanksgiving
can
we offer to God for you,
in
return for all the happiness
with
which we rejoice before our God on account of you!
{The
result of the report}
10~~
Night and day praying . . . exceedingly . . .
that
we might see your face . . .
and
might supply that which is lacking in your faith.
{Paul
is so excited he has to give a benediction related to the great
report- Verses 11-13}
11~~Now
God, Himself, and our Father . . .
and
our Lord Jesus Christ . . .
direct
our way unto you!
{Note: Paul is praying that God permit and assist in his team getting back to see them.}
12~~
And the Lord {the Holy Spirit} . . .
make
you to increase {when they receive the Word of God} . . .
and
abound . . .
in
love one toward another . . .
and
toward all {everyone -includes unbelievers} . . .
even
as we do toward you.
13~~To
the end . . . may He:
stabilize
your mental attitude . . .
unblameable
in holiness . . .
before
God . . .
even
our Father . . .
at
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
with
all His saints.
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