Verses 1-2 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; 2 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:
The Greek word translated as “establish” is “stego” and it means to make stable, place firmly, set fast, to strengthen, or to make firm. Since the Apostle Paul and his companions were unable to go back to Thessalonica because of being hindered by Satan, as stated in verse 18 of the previous chapter, they decided to send Timothy. His job was to stabilize the Church in whatever areas they needed teaching and encouragement and to help them grow their Faith.
Verses 3-4 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
The Apostle Paul did not want these new believers in Jesus to be disturbed or troubled by the persecution he and others were receiving. He reminds them that afflictions (oppression tribulation, distress) are often part of being a Christian believer. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Verse 5 For 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.
The Apostle Paul was anxious to know how the Church was doing and he was concerned that the believers were falling due to the temptations of the flesh, the world, and the Devil. The Greek word translated as “tempter” is “peirazo” and it means to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgments, to try or test one’s faith, virtue, or character by enticement to sin, or to solicit to sin.
Verses 6-7 But 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: 7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
Timothy returned with a good report which comforted all concerned and which encouraged the apostles in their ministry and in their time of trouble.
Verses 8-10 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
What might it mean when the Apostle Paul states that “we live if ye stand fast”? The Greek word translated as “live” is “zao” and it means to live, breathe, be among the living, to enjoy real life, to have true life and worthy of the name, to be blessed in the kingdom of God, to be in full vigor, or to be fresh, strong and efficient. So receiving a good report from Timothy would have invigorated the apostles in their Gospel outreach during their time of trouble, would have encouraged them to not quit or be discouraged due to their present circumstances and to realize their blessings from God, would have strengthened their spiritual walk with Jesus, would have helped them look forward to other success stories in other towns, and would generally lift any sagging spirits and help them endure what Satan was throwing at them. Should the apostles die physically, their church family would live on and that which they planted and nurtured with the help and leading of the Holy Ghost/Spirit would be their legacy.
Verses 11-13 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. 12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: 13 To 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. (1 Thessalonians 3)
These verses are a prayer of the Apostle Paul for the church at Thessalonica. He prayed to be able to return to these Christian believers and that the LORD would continue to work in their lives so that their love for others would continue to grow and so that they would remain holy and blameless. Notice that the apostle was still teaching and preaching the coming of Jesus Christ as if the promise of His return was imminent.
Application: The Apostle Paul and the other apostles and disciples did not have the benefit of history like people have today. They knew that certain things had to happen before Jesus would return, but they did not know that these events would take centuries to happen. So throughout their lifetimes they were watching and waiting for the LORD Jesus to, “. . . descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God: . . .” and this was their daily hope. Just because a long time has passed since these words were penned by the Apostle Paul does not mean that Christian believers should not think and act like Christian believers in the apostolic churches. Each morning could be the last day, and living in this fashion of looking for the return of Jesus would help every believer to set righteous priorities and to live a Christ-like life.