1 So when we couldn't bear it any longer, we decided it would be best for us to stay behind in Athens, 2 and send Timothy on to you. He is our brother and God's co-worker in spreading the good news of Christ. We sent him to strengthen and encourage you in your trust in God 3 so that none of you would be upset by your troubles—for you know we should expect such things. 4 Even while we were with you we kept on warning you that we would suffer persecution soon— and as you well know that is exactly what has happened. 5 This is why, when I couldn't stand it anymore, I sent to find out whether you were still trusting in God. I was concerned that the devil had successfully tempted you and that all our work had been for nothing! 6 Now Timothy has just returned from visiting you and he has brought us good news of your trust in God and the love you have. He's told us that you still have fond memories of us, longing to see us just as we long to see you. 7 This news really encouraged us while we were suffering troubles ourselves, brothers and sisters, knowing that you continue to hold on to your trust in God. 8 For us life is worth living now because you're standing firm in the Lord! 9 As we go into the presence of our God, how can we ever thank God enough for you because of all the joy you bring to us? 10 Night and day we pray for you as earnestly as possible, hoping to see you again face to face, and to help you continue developing your trust in God. 11 May God our Father and our Lord Jesus make it possible for us to come to see you soon. 12 May the Lord increase your love so it overflows to one another, and to everyone, just as we love you. 13 In this way may the Lord strengthen you so you may stand with minds that are holy and blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.
1 Thessalonians · Free Bible Version
1 Thessalonians 3 Free Bible Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
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)