Gleanings in First Thessalonians
Chapter 3
1Thess 3:1-3
Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
And 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:
That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
With the events that happened after Paul and company’s three weeks in Thessalonica, being ran out of town, riot, and bombastic hyperbole, etc. (reference Acts 17:1-9)
And then ran out of the next town by the angry Jews from Thessalonica (ref. Acts 17:10-14), Paul and crew could not forbear, could not wait any longer, could not delay, because of his concern for the new believers, and sent Timothy (fellowlabourer: One who labors in the same business or design) back to Thessalonica “to establish” them: to get them started on a sound base, to make sure the proper doctrine was being instilled.
Which as part of that laying the foundation is “comfort”. The Thessalonians were apparently a very knowledgeable and understanding crew and could “pick up what” Paul “was putting down”.
This was a bit different than what he dealt with concerning the Corinthians, for they could not mature properly and remained as children in the new life in Christ:
1Cor 2:1-2
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
1Cor 3:1-3
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Also note the continuity of Scripture. This passage lines up perfectly with Acts 17:14-16. Paul (the obvious focus of attack by his adversaries: angry law driven Jews) was directed away from the conflict to Athens and was there alone as in Acts 17:16-34 (when he gives the infamous ‘sermon on Mars Hill’).
Paul wants to make sure that these believers are growing and maturing in sound doctrine, understanding grace, edifying them and their faith – but he doesn’t ‘sugar-coat’ the message, he communicates to them that they will have ‘afflictions’ AND that we (Paul, Silas, Timothy, and the Thessalonians; and us) are appointed thereunto. It will come – if you do not conform to the world.
2Tim 3:12
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2Cor 4:8-11
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
2Cor 4:17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
Phil 1:29
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Rom 8:35-37
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
I suppose I should say – we don’t look for it, but if we live right, then we should expect it.
Grace and Peace James
fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ
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