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First Thessalonians, part 7, Paul's Incomplete Work

First Thessalonians 2 ended with Paul lamenting that he had been prevented from returning to them, while assuring them that they were his “glory and joy” (2:20). Chapter 3 explains what Paul did when he could no longer endure the uncertainty concerning their welfare: he sent Timothy to them.

The chapter is especially concerned with faith under affliction. Paul did not merely want to know whether the Thessalonians were physically safe; he wanted to know whether their faith had survived the pressure of persecution.

Paul’s Anxiety

1 Thessalonians 3:1, 2 says,

¹ Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, ² and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith.

The phrase “when we could endure it no longer” shows Paul's intense concern. Separation from them was painful, because he did not know whether persecution had shaken their faith. According to Acts 17:14–16, Paul went on to Athens while Silas and Timothy remained behind temporarily. Paul apparently arranged for Timothy to return to Thessalonica while he himself continued his mission.

Timothy’s assignment had two parts: “to strengthen” — Greek stērizō (στηρίζω), meaning to establish, confirm, make firm, or stabilize; and “to encourage” — Greek parakaleō (παρακαλέω), meaning to exhort, encourage, comfort, or come alongside. This is the purpose of a Paraklete, “the Comforter,” which is the role of the Holy Spirit.

The combination is significant. A believer undergoing persecution needs both strengthening in truth and encouragement of heart. Paul was not primarily concerned with increasing their numbers or improving their circumstances. His concern was their faith and endurance. Faith was the foundation upon which everything else depended.

In 1 Thessalonians 3:3, Paul explains why Timothy's ministry was necessary:

³ so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.

The Greek verb translated “disturbed” is sainō (σαίνω). It can convey the idea of being shaken, disturbed, or unsettled. Paul feared that persecution might cause some believers to question whether they had made a mistake in accepting the gospel. His answer is striking: “we have been destined for this.”

Paul does not present affliction as evidence that something has gone wrong. Rather, suffering for Christ is part of the believer's calling. Jesus had warned His disciples in John 15:20, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”

Paul later wrote in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

Again, Acts 14:22 says, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” This is closely related to what Paul had already said in 1 Thessalonians 1:6: they had “received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit.” Their persecution, therefore, did not disprove their calling. In a sense, it confirmed what Paul had already told them to expect.

Paul continues in 1 Thessalonians 3:5,

⁵ For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.

Here Satan is called “the tempter” (ho peirazōn). The persecution itself was carried out by men, but Paul perceived a spiritual purpose behind it. The tempter sought to use external suffering to produce internal unbelief. This is reminiscent of Jesus’ words to Peter in Luke 22:31, 32,

³¹ Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; ³² but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail.

The issue in both passages is faith under testing. Paul’s worry that his labor might be “in vain” does not mean that the gospel itself could fail. Rather, his pastoral labor among particular individuals could fail to produce mature fruit if persecution caused them to abandon their faith.

This recalls Jesus’ parable of the sower in Mark 4:17, “when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.” The Thessalonians were undergoing precisely that test.

Timothy’s Good Report

Timothy eventually returned to give his report. 1 Thessalonians 3:6 says,

⁶ But now that Timothy has come to us from you and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you.

Timothy apparently rejoined Paul at Corinth (Acts 18:5). His report brought great relief, for he confirmed that his “orphans” were steadfast in “faith and love.” They had not turned against Paul for bringing them persecution and hardship. Their faith had survived persecution, and their love had not grown cold.

Timothy also reported that the Thessalonians remembered Paul affectionately and wanted to see him as much as he wanted to see them. This was particularly reassuring because Paul's enemies apparently were trying to undermine his reputation after he had been forced to leave.

1 Thessalonians 3:7, 8 continues,

⁷ for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; ⁸ for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

This is pastoral language of extraordinary intensity. Their steadfastness gave Paul renewed life and encouragement. A true spiritual father does not measure success merely by how many people initially respond to his message. He wants to see them stand firm afterward. There is always a place for an evangelist to come into town, hoping to see people accept Christ; however, it is often the case that these new believers are abandoned like orphans without long-term Bible study and discipleship training necessary to bring endurance.

Completing Their Discipleship Training

Paul asks in 1 Thessalonians 3:9,

⁹ For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account?

The answer is essentially that he cannot adequately express his gratitude. He continues:

¹⁰ as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

The word translated “complete” is katartizō (καταρτίζω), meaning to put something in proper condition, restore, equip, or supply what is lacking. The word can be used of mending nets (Matthew 4:21).

This tells us something important about Christian maturity. The Thessalonians had genuine faith. Paul praised that faith repeatedly. Yet something was still “lacking” in it. Faith therefore can be real without yet being mature.

Paul did not want merely to convert them; he wanted to complete their spiritual instruction. His sudden departure from Thessalonica had prevented him from teaching them everything they needed to know from the word of God. This probably helps explain why this letter contains instruction about matters such as holiness, brotherly love, resurrection, and the coming of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 3:11 says,

¹¹ Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you.

Paul had earlier said: “Satan hindered us.” Now he asks God to direct his way. The contrast is deliberate: Satan obstructs; God directs.

Yet Paul does not act as though Satan possesses an independent sovereignty. Ultimately Paul waits for God to open the way.

There is also an interesting grammatical feature here. Paul mentions “our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord,” yet he uses a singular verb translated “direct.” Paul thus places the Father and Jesus together as the unified source of divine direction.

Paul's prayer then shifts from his own travel plans to their spiritual growth. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 says,

¹² and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you.

There are two dimensions of love: within the body of Christ, and extending beyond the church. This second phrase is important. Christian love is not tribal. It cannot be restricted merely to those who agree with us or belong to our fellowship. Jesus said in Matthew 5:44, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” That had particular significance to Thessalonian believers who were themselves being persecuted.

Furthermore, Paul does not merely pray that they would possess love. He asks that they would “increase and abound.” Love is therefore something capable of growth. Christian maturity never reaches a point where love has no further room to increase.

Discipleship is Preparation

The chapter concludes in 1 Thessalonians 3:13,

¹³ so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

This brings us back to the idea expressed in verse 2, where Timothy was sent to “strengthen” (stērizō) their faith. Here Paul prays that the Lord Himself will “establish” (stērizō) their hearts. Timothy could strengthen them as a minister, but ultimately God establishes the heart. Their faith must be established; their love must increase; and the result is a heart established “without blame in holiness.”

Faith, love, and holiness is a believer’s preparation for Christ’s coming. Paul connects this spiritual development with “the coming of our Lord Jesus.” The Greek word is parousia (παρουσία), a major term in both Thessalonian letters. It means presence, arrival, or coming. Paul has already used it in 2:19 and will develop the subject much more fully in 4:13–5:11.

The phrase, “with all His saints” is especially noteworthy. The Greek hagios means “holy ones.” Depending on context it may refer to God’s sanctified people and, in some biblical contexts, heavenly beings. Compare Zechariah 14:5, which says, “Then Yahweh, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him!”

Paul’s language appears to echo this Old Testament picture of Yahweh coming with His holy ones and applies the imagery to the coming of the Lord Jesus.