1We couldn’t wait any longer. So we thought it was best to be left by ourselves in Athens.2We sent our brother Timothy to give you strength and hope in your faith. He works together with us in God’s service to spread the good news about Christ.3We sent him so that no one would be upset by times of testing. You know very well that we have to go through times of testing.4In fact, when we were with you, here is what we kept telling you. We were telling you that our enemies would make us suffer. As you know very well, it has turned out that way.5That’s the reason I sent someone to find out about your faith. I couldn’t wait any longer. I was afraid that Satan had tempted you in some way. Then our work among you would have been useless.
Timothy brings a good report
6But Timothy has come to us from you just now. He has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have happy memories of us. He has also said that you desire to see us, just as we desire to see you.7Brothers and sisters, in all our trouble and suffering your faith encouraged us.8Now we really live, because you are standing firm in the Lord.9How can we thank God enough for you? We thank God because of all the joy we have in his presence. We have this joy because of you.10Night and day we pray very hard that we will see you again. We want to give you what is missing in your faith.11Now may a way be opened up for us to come to you. May our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus do this.12May the Lord make your love grow. May it be like a rising flood. May your love for one another increase. May it also increase for everyone else. May it be just like our love for you.13May the Lord give you strength in your hearts. Then you will be holy and without blame in the sight of our God and Father. May that be true when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
1 Thessalonians 3
English Standard Version
1Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, (Ac 17:15)2and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker[1] in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, (2Co 1:1; Php 2:19; Col 1:1; Phm 1:1; Heb 13:23)3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. (Ac 9:16; Ac 14:22)4For 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. (1Th 2:14)5For 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. (Mt 4:3; 1Co 7:5; 2Co 11:3; Php 2:16; 1Th 3:1)
Timothy’s Encouraging Report
6But 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— (Ac 18:5; 1Co 11:2; 2Co 7:6; 2Co 7:9; Php 1:8; 1Th 1:3)7for this reason, brothers,[2] in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. (2Co 1:4)8For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. (1Co 16:13)9For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, (1Th 1:2)10as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? (Ro 1:10; 2Co 13:9; 1Th 2:17; 2Ti 1:3)11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, (Ga 1:4; 2Th 3:5)12and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, (Php 1:9; 1Th 4:1; 1Th 4:9; 1Th 4:10; 1Th 5:15; 2Th 1:3)13so 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. (Zec 14:5; 1Th 2:19; 1Th 3:11; Jas 5:8; Jud 1:14)