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 when we could no longer 1forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
1 That is, this longing after you, of which he spoke in the 17th and 18th verse of the previous chapter.
2And sent Timotheus,a our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer 2in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you 3concerning your faith:
a Acts 16:1; Rom. 16:21; Philip. 2:19.
2 That is, in the preaching and spreading abroad of the Gospel.
3 Or, about your faith; or, because of your faith. Others read our faith.
3Thatb no man should be 4moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know thatc we are 5appointed 6thereunto.
b Eph. 3:13; Philip. 1:14.
4 Namely, to turn from or to doubt the faith. See 2 Thes. 2:2. The Greek word signifies to be moved here and there.
c Acts 14:22; 2 Tim. 3:12.
5 That is, are prepared, ordained, namely, by God, as this word appoint is also taken, Luke 2:34.
6 Namely, to suffer for the name of Christ. See 2 Tim. 3:12.
4For verily, when we were with you, we 7told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
7 Namely, as he has also done to other congregations. See Acts 14:22; Rom. 8:17, 29.
5For this cause, when I could no longer 8forbear, I 9sent to know your faith, lest by some means 10the tempter have tempted you, and 11our labour be in 12vain.
8 That is, this longing after you, as verse 1.
9 Namely, Timothy.
10 That is, Satan, by persecutions and other deceptions. See Mat. 4:3.
11 Namely, which we have employed to proclaim the Gospel unto you.
12 That is, fruitless.
6But now when Timotheus 13came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings 14of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
13 That is, was returned, namely, unto us at Corinth, after that we had sent him from Athens unto you. See Acts 18:1, 5.
14 That is, of your steadfastness in the faith.
7Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress 15by your faith:
15 That is, by the testimony which we have heard of your faith.
8For now we 16live, if ye stand 17fast in the Lord.
16 That is, we are joyful and cheerful, as the following verse declares.
17 That is, in faith on the Lord; for, by faith we are united unto Christ.
9For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes 18before our God;
18 That is, sincerely, as in the presence of God, not only before the people, as Luke 1:6.
10Nightd and day praying exceedingly that we might see 19your face, and might 20perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
d Rom. 1:10, 11; 15:23; 2 Tim. 1:4.
19 That is, to be present with you.
20 That is, to instruct you more perfectly in the faith, which the apostle therefore says, because by reason of the bitter persecution of the Jews, he had been able to continue with them but a little while. See Acts 17:10.
11Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
12And the Lord make you to 21increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as 22we do toward you:
21 That is, cause you to increase more and more, Who can easily supply the want of His ministers by His Spirit.
22 Namely, abundant in love towards you.
13Toe the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, 23at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all 24his saints.
e 1 Cor. 1:8; 1 Thes. 5:23; 2 Thes. 2:17.
23 Or, against the coming.
24 Namely, angels, as is expressed in 2 Thes. 1:7; although it may also be taken more extensively for the holy souls, who shall come down from heaven with Christ in the company of the angels, to be united and glorified again with their bodies.