1 Thessalonians 3 -- New Testament -- Gospel Daily

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 3

Timothy's Encouragement and Paul's Prayer

Unable to bear separation from the Thessalonians, Paul sent Timotheus to establish and comfort them concerning their faith, reminding them they are appointed to suffer tribulation as foretold. When Timotheus returned with good tidings of their faith, charity, and remembrance, Paul was comforted in his affliction and distress. Paul prays night and day to see their face and perfect that which is lacking in their faith, asking God to direct his way to them and to make them increase and abound in love toward one another and all men.

Affliction and patienceMinistry of comfortGrowth in faithLove increasingSanctification

¹Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

²And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

³That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

⁴For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

⁵For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

⁶But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

⁷Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

⁸For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

⁹For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

¹⁰Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

¹¹Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

¹²And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

¹³To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.