1The apostle sheweth that out of his great care for the Thessalonians he had sent Timothy to comfort and strengthen them in the faith; 6whose good report of them had been a great consolation to him in his distresses. 9He testifieth his thankfulness to God, and earnest desire to see them; 11praying God to guide him to them, and for their increase in love and holiness unto the end.
1WHEREFORE awhen we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
a v.5. Ac. 17.15,16.
2And sent bTimotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, cto establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
b Ac. 16.1; 17.14,15. Ro. 16.21. 1Co. 16.10. Phi. 2.19,25. Ep. 6.21,22. Col. 4.7,8. Ac. 14.22. Ro. 1.22. c Ro. 16.25.
3dThat no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that ewe are appointed thereunto.
d Ac. 5.41; 20.24; 21.13. Ro. 5.3. Col. 1.24. 2Ti. 1.8. Ja. 1.2. Phi. 1.14. Ep. 3.13. e Jn. 16.2,33. 1Co. 4.9. Ac. 9.16; 14.22; 20.23; 17.5; 21.11. ch. 2.14,15. Ro. 8.29. 2Ti. 3.12. 1Pe. 2.21; 4.12. v.4. Re. 3.19. He. 12.5-11.
4For *verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; feven as it came to pass, and ye know.
*verily-truly.
f Ac. 17.5-9. ch. 2.2,14; 1.6. 2Th. 1.4-6.
5For this cause, gwhen I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, hlest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
g v.1. 2Co. 7.5. 1Co. 2.3. h 1Co. 7.5. 2Co. 11.2,3. Ga. 2.2; 4.11. Phi. 2.16. ch. 2.1-12.
6But now when iTimotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of jyour faith and *charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
*charity-love.
i Ac. 18.1,5. 2Co. 7.4,6,7. Phi. 1.8. Ro. 12.9-21. ch. 5.12,13; 1.1; 2.17,18. v.9,10. j ch. 1.3.
7Therefore, brethren, kwe were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
k ch. 2.2,15. v.5. Ac. 17.1-18. 2Co. 7.4,6,7. 2Jn. 4. v.8,9.
8For lnow we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
l v.7. 1Co. 15.58; 16.13. He. 10.23; 4.14. 1Jn. 4.3. Jn. 3.4. Re. 3.3,11. Ep. 6.13,14. Phi. 4.1.
9For what mthanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
m Ep. 5.20. Phi. 4.6. ch. 5.18; 1.2,3. Ac. 26.7. 2Ti. 1.3. Ro. 1.9-12; 15.23. ch. 2.17.
10nNight and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might operfect that which is lacking in your faith?
n Ac. 26.7. 2Ti. 1.3. Ro. 1.9-12; 15.23. Lu. 22.44. ch. 2.9,17. o 2Co. 13.9,11. Col. 1.28; 4.12. Ep. 4.12. Phi. 1.29,6. 2Th. 1.11; 2.17.
11pNow God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, 1direct our way unto you.
1Or, guide.
p Ezr. 8.21. Ps. 5.8; 32.8; 73.24. Pr. 3.5,6. Je. 10.23.
12qAnd the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men , even as we do toward you:
q Ja. 1.17. ch. 4.1,9,10; 5.15. 2Pe. 1.7. Ro. 13.8. Mat. 7.12; 22.39. 1Jn. 3.14,23; 4.7-12,20; 2.10.
13To the end he may rstablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the scoming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
r 1Co. 1.8. Phi. 1.10. ch. 5.23. 2Th. 2.17. 1Jn. 3.20,21. Col. 1.22. Jude 24. Ja. 5.8. s Zec. 14.5. ch. 2.19; 4.14,16,17. 2Th. 1.7-10. Jude 14. Mat. 24.30,31; 25.31. Re. 1.7; 20.11,12.