1 Because of this, willing to wait no longer, it was pleasing to us to remain at Athens, alone. 2 And we sent Timothy, our brother and a minister of God in the Gospel of Christ, to confirm you and to exhort you, on behalf of your faith, 3 so that no one would be disturbed during these tribulations. For you yourselves know that we have been appointed to this. 4 For even while we were with you, we predicted to you that we would suffer tribulations, even as it has happened, and as you know. 5 For this reason also, I was not willing to wait any longer, and I sent to find out about your faith, lest perhaps he who tempts may have tempted you, and our labor might have been in vain. 6 But then, when Timothy arrived to us from you, he reported to us your faith and charity, and that you keep a good remembrance of us always, desiring to see us, just as we likewise desire to see you. 7 As a result, we were consoled in you, brothers, in the midst of all our difficulties and tribulations, through your faith. 8 For we now live so that you may stand firm in the Lord. 9 For what thanks would we be able to repay to God because of you, for all the joy with which we rejoice over you before our God? 10 For night and day, ever more abundantly, we are praying that we may see your face, and that we may complete those things that are lacking in your faith. 11 But may God our Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in your charity toward one another and toward all, just as we also do toward you, 13 in order to confirm your hearts without blame, in sanctity, before God our Father, unto the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Amen.
1 Thessalonians · Catholic Public Domain Version
1 Thessalonians 3 Catholic Public Domain Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Notes on this text (3)
- Esther and Daniel are the Vulgate books (Esther 1–16 with the Greek additions as chapters 10:4–16; Daniel 1–14 with the Song of the Three, Susanna and Bel). Baruch 6 is the Letter of Jeremiah.
- The translator's footnotes, cross-references, chapter summaries and book introductions in the CrossWire module are not shown.
- No imprimatur; single translator.
Cross references (13)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Acts 17:15; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:17; Jeremiah 20:9; 2 Corinthians 2:13
- 2 Acts 14:22–23; Ephesians 6:21–22; Philippians 2:19–25; 1 Corinthians 16:10–12; Acts 16:1
- 3 Acts 14:22; Romans 5:3; Acts 9:16; John 16:33; Acts 21:13
- 4 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 8:1–2; 1 Thessalonians 2:2; Acts 17:13; John 16:1–3
- 5 James 1:13–14; Matthew 4:3; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Galatians 1:6–9; Philippians 2:16
- 6 1 Corinthians 11:2; Isaiah 52:7; Acts 18:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; Proverbs 25:25
- 7 2 Corinthians 1:4; 2 John 4; 1 Thessalonians 3:8–9; 2 Corinthians 7:6–7; 1 Corinthians 4:9–13
- 8 1 Corinthians 16:13; Colossians 1:23; Revelation 3:11; Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 10:23
- 9 2 Corinthians 9:15; Psalm 96:12–13; Psalm 71:14–15; 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3; 1 Thessalonians 3:7–8
- 10 2 Corinthians 13:9; Romans 1:10–12; 1 Thessalonians 3:11; Romans 15:30–32; Philippians 1:25
- 11 Proverbs 3:5–6; Matthew 6:32; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Luke 12:32
- 12 Philippians 1:9; Romans 13:8; 1 John 4:7–16; Matthew 22:39; 2 Thessalonians 1:3
- 13 Colossians 1:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Ephesians 5:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; Jude 14
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
A question lies before us to-day, which is much disputed, and which is gathered from many sources. But what is this question? "For this cause," he says, "when I could no longer forbear, I sent Timothy that I might know your faith." What sayest thou?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 13 (1889)
"But now we live, if ye, Brethren, stand fast in the Lord." I would not that ye should stand fast in us, but in the Lord.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)
are not even ye?" at another, "Now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord;" at another, "Out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you;" and, "Who is weak, and I am not weak?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
… and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do towards you; to the end He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints." Now what Lord does he entreat to stablish the hearts of the faithful at Thessalonica, …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 8 (1895)
… joying and beholding your order, and that which is lacking in your faith in Christ." And in that to the Thessalonians: "Night and day," he says, "praying more abundantly, that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith." Here we are, of course, to understand those who were under such primary catechetical instruction, …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 7 (1888)