1 Thessalonians / Chapter 3

1 Thessalonians 3

13 verses • SBL Greek New Testament

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Unable to return to Thessalonica himself, Paul sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage the believers in their faith amid persecution. Timothy has now returned with the good news that the Thessalonians' faith and love remain strong and that they remember Paul fondly. Paul expresses overwhelming relief and joy, describing Timothy's report as life-giving. The chapter closes with a prayer that God would direct Paul's path back to them and that the Lord would cause their love to increase and overflow toward one another and toward all people.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

This chapter reveals the anxiety Paul felt during the separation — the language is remarkably candid about emotional vulnerability. The phrase 'we really live now' (v. 8) shows that Paul's emotional and spiritual vitality was bound up with the health of his churches. The closing prayer (vv. 11-13) transitions from personal concerns to eschatological hope, ending with another reference to the parousia.

Translation Friction

The identity of 'the tempter' (v. 5) parallels 'Satan' in 2:18. Paul's statement that afflictions are 'destined' (v. 3) raises theological questions about suffering and divine will that we render without resolving. The phrase 'night and day' (v. 10) in Paul's prayer vocabulary indicates intensity, not literal continuous prayer.

Connections

Timothy's mission is briefly noted in Acts 18:5. The concern about being 'shaken' by afflictions (v. 3) connects to Jesus's parable of foundations (Matthew 7:24-27). The prayer for increasing love (v. 12) anticipates the ethical instructions of chapters 4-5. The parousia reference (v. 13) prepares for the extended teaching in 4:13-5:11.

1 Thessalonians 3:1

Διὸ μηκέτι στέγοντες εὐδοκήσαμεν καταλειφθῆναι ἐν Ἀθήναις μόνοι

Therefore, when we could bear it no longer, we decided to be left behind in Athens alone,

KJV Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The verb stegontes ('bearing, enduring, containing') conveys the image of a container that can no longer hold its contents — Paul's anxiety about the Thessalonians overflowed. 'Left behind alone' (kataleiphthēnai monoi) emphasizes the cost of sending Timothy — Paul chose isolation in Athens rather than continued uncertainty about the church.
1 Thessalonians 3:2

καὶ ἐπέμψαμεν Τιμόθεον, τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἡμῶν καὶ συνεργὸν τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, εἰς τὸ στηρίξαι ὑμᾶς καὶ παρακαλέσαι ὑπὲρ τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν

We sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

KJV 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:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The SBLGNT reads synergon tou theou ('God's coworker'), which is the more difficult reading — some manuscripts soften it to diakonon ('servant'). The bold claim that Timothy is God's coworker follows Paul's theology that human ministry participates in divine action. The two infinitives stērixai ('to strengthen, establish') and parakalesai ('to encourage, comfort') define Timothy's mission.
1 Thessalonians 3:3

τὸ μηδένα σαίνεσθαι ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσιν ταύταις· αὐτοὶ γὰρ οἴδατε ὅτι εἰς τοῦτο κείμεθα·

so that none of you would be shaken by these hardships. You know very well that we are destined for them.

KJV That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The verb sainesthai is rare and its meaning debated — it may mean 'to be shaken, disturbed' or possibly 'to be deceived, beguiled.' The context of afflictions (thlipsesin) favors 'shaken.' The verb keimetha ('we are appointed, destined, set') indicates that suffering is not accidental but part of the expected Christian experience — Paul had warned them of this in advance (v. 4).
1 Thessalonians 3:4

καὶ γὰρ ὅτε πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἦμεν, προελέγομεν ὑμῖν ὅτι μέλλομεν θλίβεσθαι, καθὼς καὶ ἐγένετο καὶ οἴδατε.

For even when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction — and so it happened, as you know.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The imperfect proelegomen ('we kept telling') indicates repeated warning, not a single prediction. Paul had prepared the Thessalonians for persecution as a regular part of discipleship instruction, not an afterthought.
1 Thessalonians 3:5

διὰ τοῦτο κἀγὼ μηκέτι στέγων ἔπεμψα εἰς τὸ γνῶναι τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν, μή πως ἐπείρασεν ὑμᾶς ὁ πειράζων καὶ εἰς κενὸν γένηται ὁ κόπος ἡμῶν.

For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, fearing that the tempter had somehow tempted you and that our labor would be in vain.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Paul shifts to the first person singular (kagō, 'I also') — the decision to send Timothy was personally his. The title ho peirazōn ('the tempter') identifies Satan by function rather than name (cf. 2:18). The concern that labor might be 'in vain' (eis kenon, 'into emptiness') echoes the same word (kenē) from 2:1 — Paul's deepest fear was that the Thessalonians' faith had not survived persecution.
1 Thessalonians 3:6

ἄρτι δὲ ἐλθόντος Τιμοθέου πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀφ' ὑμῶν καὶ εὐαγγελισαμένου ἡμῖν τὴν πίστιν καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην ὑμῶν καὶ ὅτι ἔχετε μνείαν ἡμῶν ἀγαθὴν πάντοτε, ἐπιποθοῦντες ἡμᾶς ἰδεῖν καθάπερ καὶ ἡμεῖς ὑμᾶς,

But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought us the good news of your faith and love, and that you always remember us kindly, longing to see us just as we long to see you.

KJV 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:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Remarkably, Paul uses the verb euangelisamenou ('having brought good news') — the same word used for preaching the gospel — to describe Timothy's report about the Thessalonians. For Paul, news of their persevering faith is itself 'gospel.' The report covers three things: their faith (vertical relationship), their love (horizontal relationships), and their affection for Paul (the apostolic bond).
1 Thessalonians 3:7

διὰ τοῦτο παρεκλήθημεν, ἀδελφοί, ἐφ' ὑμῖν ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ ἀνάγκῃ καὶ θλίψει ἡμῶν διὰ τῆς ὑμῶν πίστεως,

For this reason, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction we have been encouraged about you through your faith.

KJV Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The noun anankē ('distress, necessity, hardship') combined with thlipsis ('affliction') reveals that Paul himself was under significant pressure — not just concerned for them but suffering in his own circumstances. Their faith became a source of encouragement (paraklēsis) for Paul in his own trials.
1 Thessalonians 3:8

ὅτι νῦν ζῶμεν ἐὰν ὑμεῖς στήκετε ἐν κυρίῳ.

For we really live now, since you are standing firm in the Lord.

KJV For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The emphatic nyn zōmen ('now we live') is one of Paul's most emotionally transparent statements — the news of their faithfulness was literally life-giving to him. The verb stēkete ('you stand firm') is present tense, describing their current state as reported by Timothy.
1 Thessalonians 3:9

τίνα γὰρ εὐχαριστίαν δυνάμεθα τῷ θεῷ ἀνταποδοῦναι περὶ ὑμῶν ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ χαρᾷ ᾗ χαίρομεν δι' ὑμᾶς ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν,

For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, in exchange for all the joy that we feel on your account before our God,

KJV For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The verb antapodounai ('to give back in return, to repay') frames thanksgiving as a reciprocal act — God gave the joy; Paul wants to return adequate thanks. The rhetorical question implies that no thanksgiving is sufficient. The phrase emprosthen tou theou ('before our God') places Paul's joy in the context of worship.
1 Thessalonians 3:10

νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ δεόμενοι εἰς τὸ ἰδεῖν ὑμῶν τὸ πρόσωπον καὶ καταρτίσαι τὰ ὑστερήματα τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν;

After dark and time praying exceedingly that we may witness your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

KJV Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The adverb hyperekperissou ('beyond all measure, most earnestly') is a Pauline superlative found only in his letters — he piles up prefixes (hyper + ek + perissou) to intensify the expression. The verb katartisai ('to mend, complete, supply') was used for mending fishing nets (Mark 1:19) — Paul sees faith not as defective but as needing completion. The 'lacking' (hysterēmata) refers to areas where further instruction is needed, which chapters 4-5 will address.
1 Thessalonians 3:11

Αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ θεὸς καὶ πατὴρ ἡμῶν καὶ ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦς κατευθύναι τὴν ὁδὸν ἡμῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς·

Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.

KJV Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The optative kateuthynai ('may he direct') introduces a wish-prayer. The singular verb with a compound subject ('God and Father... and our Lord Jesus') is grammatically notable — Paul treats the two as a unified source of action. The prayer for a directed path (hodon, 'road, way') reflects Paul's conviction that his travel plans are subject to divine sovereignty (cf. 2:18 where Satan blocked the way).
1 Thessalonians 3:12

ὑμᾶς δὲ ὁ κύριος πλεονάσαι καὶ περισσεύσαι τῇ ἀγάπῃ εἰς ἀλλήλους καὶ εἰς πάντας, καθάπερ καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς,

And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow in love for one another and for all people, just as we do for you,

KJV And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Two verbs intensify the prayer: pleonasai ('to increase, multiply') and perisseusai ('to overflow, abound'). The love Paul prays for has two directions: eis allēlous ('toward one another' — within the community) and eis pantas ('toward all' — beyond the community). Christian love is not exclusive but expansive.
1 Thessalonians 3:13

εἰς τὸ στηρίξαι ὑμῶν τὰς καρδίας ἀμέμπτους ἐν ἁγιωσύνῃ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ πατρὸς ἡμῶν ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων αὐτοῦ.

May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy before our God and Father when our Lord Jesus returns with all his holy ones.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms 2 terms

Key Terms

παρουσία parousia
"coming" — presence, arrival, coming, advent

The second parousia reference in the letter (cf. 2:19). Here it is the horizon of holiness — believers are being prepared for an encounter with the returning Lord.

ἁγιωσύνη hagiōsynē
"holiness" — holiness, sanctification, consecration

Distinct from hagiasmos ('the process of being made holy') — hagiōsynē describes the quality or state of holiness itself. Paul prays for the result, not just the process.

Translator Notes

  1. The goal of increasing love (v. 12) is established holiness (v. 13) — Paul connects ethics and eschatology. 'Holy ones' (hagiōn) could refer to angels (as in Zechariah 14:5, which Paul may be echoing), to deceased believers, or to both. The ambiguity is preserved in 'holy ones.' Each major section of 1 Thessalonians ends with a reference to the parousia (2:19, 3:13, 4:15-17, 5:23), making Christ's return the structural center of the letter.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Zechariah 14:5 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
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