1 Thessalonians · Chapter 3
1 Thessalonians 3
Berean Standard Bible · Public domain · Source credits
Timothy’s Visit
1So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens.
2We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,*
3so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.
4Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.
5For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and caused our labor to be in vain.
Timothy’s Encouraging Report
6But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.
7For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith.
8For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord.
9How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence?
10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking from your faith.
11Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.
12And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,
13so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.
Source notes
- 3:2 Or our brother and God’s fellow worker; NE, WH, BYZ, and TR our brother and minister of God
Old Testament references
References from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Text from the Berean Standard Bible.
Jeremiah 20:9If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.
Jeremiah 44:22So the LORD could no longer endure the evil deeds and detestable acts you committed, and your land became a desolation, a horror, and an object of cursing, without inhabitant, as it is this day.
Psalms 112:6Surely he will never be shaken; the righteous man will be remembered forever.
Isaiah 49:4But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength in futility and vanity; yet My vindication is with the LORD, and My reward is with My God.”
Proverbs 25:25Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
Isaiah 52:7How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
1 Samuel 25:6and say to him, ‘Long life to you, and peace to you and your house and to all that belongs to you.
Psalms 30:5For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.
2 Samuel 7:18Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?
2 Samuel 7:19And as if this was a small thing in Your eyes, O Lord GOD, You have also spoken about the future of the house of Your servant. Is this Your custom with man, O Lord GOD?
2 Samuel 7:20What more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, O Lord GOD.
Nehemiah 9:5Then the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said, “Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting: Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.