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BOOK 52 OF 66 · PAULINE EPISTLES · KING JAMES BIBLE

1 Thessalonians 3

1 Thessalonians book home•Chapter 3 of 5•13 verses
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REVIEWED OVERVIEW

1 Thessalonians 3 Overview

Unable to bear uncertainty about the persecuted church, Paul sends Timothy to establish and comfort them. Timothy returns with good news of their faith and love, which deeply encourages Paul. He prays to see them again, to increase their love, and to establish their hearts unblameable in holiness at Christ’s coming.

1 ThessaloniansBook
3Chapter
13Verses
Pauline EpistlesDivision

Before you read 1 Thessalonians 3

Coming from

Paul reminds the Thessalonians that his ministry among them was bold, sincere, gentle, sacrificial, and free from flattering greed. He worked so as not to burden them, exhorted them as a father, and rejoiced that they received the word as God’s word. He also explains his separation from them and longing to return.

In this chapter

Unable to bear uncertainty about the persecuted church, Paul sends Timothy to establish and comfort them. Timothy returns with good news of their faith and love, which deeply encourages Paul. He prays to see them again, to increase their love, and to establish their hearts unblameable in holiness at Christ’s coming.

Leads into

Paul urges believers to abound in holy living, especially sexual purity, brotherly love, quiet work, and honorable conduct. He then comforts those grieving dead believers: the dead in Christ will rise first, living believers will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air, and all will ever be with the Lord.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Affliction is expected in Christian discipleship, not proof that God has abandoned believers.

Paul’s prayer for holiness at Christ’s coming concerns maturity, not a condition for obtaining eternal life.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Believers need strengthening during affliction

Timothy is sent specifically to establish and comfort them.

Faithful reports encourage ministers too

Paul’s distress is relieved by news of their steadfastness.

Love should keep increasing

Paul prays for abounding love toward believers and all people.

Future hope should shape present holiness

Christ’s coming becomes a reason to pursue established hearts.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Acts 17:13–15

Opposition helps explain Paul’s separation from the churches.

John 16:33

Jesus warned disciples they would face tribulation.

1 Peter 1:6–7

Trials test faith while believers await Christ’s revelation.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not interpret persecution as failed faith

Paul says they were appointed to afflictions.

Do not make holiness at Christ’s coming a prerequisite for keeping eternal life

Paul is praying for believers’ maturity.

Do not glamorize suffering

Paul actively sends help because affliction is difficult.

Read 1 Thessalonians 3 watching for…

Why Timothy is sent.

What Paul feared the tempter might do.

What Timothy reports.

Paul’s emotional response.

The closing prayer for love and holiness.

TWBC REVIEW STANDARD

Plain language. Scripture first. Fact distinguished from inference. No filler. No fake certainty. Designed to help you read the Bible itself.

Chapter outline3 sections
1-5Paul sends Timothy to establish and comfort the believers in their afflictions6-10Timothy brings good news of their faith and love, bringing Paul great comfort and joy11-13Paul prays to return to them and for their love and holiness to increase until Christ’s coming
1

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:

3

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.

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.

6

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:

8

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?

11

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.