Dr. Ben Stubblefield
Visiting Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Encouraged
1 Thessalonians 3:4–13
Although Paul and his companions did all they could to prepare the Thessalonians for the inevitable trials and persecutions to come, they were not entirely confident in the church’s durability. They knew their enthusiasm when they first received the gospel, but they did not quite yet know how their zeal would hold up under Satan’s assaults.
Distressed (4–5)
Note the heart of Paul and his companions. He says, “When we could endure it no longer” (v. 1). It was a great risk to venture back into hostile territory to visit with the Thessalonians. These men were persona non grata in this particular region. Yet the bonds of friendship were too strong to ignore, and they dispatched Timothy to investigate and invigorate the faith of their friends.
Note also Paul’s concern for the integrity of the faith of the Thessalonians. Paul knew, as Jesus taught, that just because someone appears to begin well in Christian living doesn’t mean they will end well. Paul wants to see what kind of seed took root in the Thessalonians: In good soil, bearing fruit? Or rocky soil, withering in the sun?
Certainly, this love and concern for our friends are familiar to every ministering church member. We can empathize with Paul and his friends because, like them, we want to discover how God has used the labors of our ministry to help the people we so deeply love.
Rejuvenated (6–10)
My wife’s grandfather was shot down over the Indian Ocean in World War II and was presumed dead. In fact, the military sent the family a notification letter that he was killed in action. But later the family received an unusual and unofficial letter from a stranger in New York stating he was actually alive. You can imagine the complex range of emotions. Should we dare to hope? Should we investigate further? What are we supposed to believe? And you can also imagine the feeling of “really living,” as Paul puts it, when some time later the man called to tell his parents he was alive and coming home!
The news from Timothy, that the Thessalonians not only were standing firm in their faith but also full of affection for Paul and his companions, meant the world; so much that they would say, “Now we really live.”
Paul says the report brought fresh intensity to their prayers as they interceded “night and day most earnestly” to see their friends again and help build up — “complete what is lacking in” — their growing faith.
Focused (11–13)
Paul offers a prayer that reconnects to his opening words in 1:2–3. This is unusual, because he typically thanks his audience and offers prayer in the opening words of his epistles. But in this case, the prayer serves as a conclusion to the narrative in chapters 1–3 and a preview of his exhortative material in chapters 4–5 (holiness in 4:1–8; love in 4:9–12; the Second Coming in 4:13–18 and most of 5:1–11).
What a wave of encouragement this must have been for the church at Thessalonica and Paul. They are discovering their work for the Lord and love for each other have not been in vain. What a special joy it is in Kingdom work to see the fruit of our labor! What a good reminder this passage is to be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.
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