1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
“Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother, and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you, yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.”
Sometimes reading the King James Version of the Bible is very poetic, meaningful, and can even be a blessing at times. Proverbs 13:12 says in the Authorized Kings James Version, “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.” This Proverb is comforting and most helpful as we look at today’s text in our study of 1 Thessalonians 3.
At the end of 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul was telling the church that he was torn away from them. When reading Luke’s account of this in Acts 17:1-8, we totally understand. Paul and others who were serving with Paul in Thessalonica were being beaten and scourged because they were preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Jews caused an uproar, which caused the people in Thessalonica to join in. They could not find Paul. He escaped to Berea on the way to Athens, but they caught Jason and some others.
In today’s passage, Paul is giving his personal account on what happened. The Apostle must have been in excruciating emotional pain, as he said in verse 1, “When we could no longer bear it!” I am sure we all have been in these circumstances at times. Being separated from our loved ones can be painful: for those who grieve over the loss of a loved one, for those whose children are serving in the military or living remotely, for those who are estranged from their spouses, children, family, or very close friends. We eagerly wait for our reunion, but our hope is deferred and our hearts become sickened. These circumstances could affect our whole being if it were not for the grace of God. By God’s grace, we are able to forbear any rash decision and persevere under duress. How we deal with the situation becomes our living witness to Jesus Christ, who, as our example, endured suffering beyond anything that we could ever imagine. Something to note, church people and unchurched people watch how we handle affliction: some looking to praise God, others to laugh as they condemn us in our affliction.
It is interesting to note that Paul did not sulk and pity himself in these trying circumstances. Instead, as he was providentially led by the Holy Spirit, he acted appropriately and proactively in accordance with God’s sovereign plan. This plan did not set an occasion for self-pity; but established actions for the greater good, which is, to send Timothy in his place so the church can be established and exhorted in their faith. Taking Paul’s action as our example, we set aside our thoughts that do not trust in the goodness and faithfulness of Christ. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” We all must do the same, endure the race, and press on by looking to Jesus.
In verse 2, Paul comforts the church by telling them he is sending Timothy to them. Paul explains how valuable Timothy is to him and for the cause of Christ. Timothy is an able servant who is trustworthy. His resume speaks for himself, but Paul tells the church that he is a brother, even though he is much younger. He is God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ. He is able to teach, preach, and establish them in the faith. The purpose of sending Timothy was for the good of the church. Paul did not want them to be led off course by their afflictions.
We see Paul’s purpose for sending Timothy to the church in verse 3a, “that no one be moved by these afflictions.” This statement is Paul’s definitive mark that he is truly a wise and loving man of God because he loves the church, the body of Christ in Thessalonica. As emotional as the Apostle is, I am sure he could not bear having the church endure pain from the evil one. Since he could not be there in person, Paul sends them his able representative to teach and exhort them in the faith.
In application, this is truly amazing and exciting news for Christians. When we are in affliction, we must learn to trust God and His word. God has sent us His Comforter and able-minded Christians in our church who are gifted to exhort us in the faith. Additionally, this is a call for us to be watchful. Yes, we are to be watchful for the second coming of Christ, but we also need to be watchful as we look for occasions for service and ministry. Christians who are seniors have a great opportunity to quietly and faithfully serve the Lord by loving and serving others. When our friends are missing, are they ill? Has something happened to them or to their loved ones? Is there a reason for joy because our friend is celebrating a special day? Our call is to serve and minister to each other with the gifts that God has so graciously given us. That is our purpose as members of the body of Christ. We all need to be doers of the word, and not hearers only (James 1:22).