Chapter Three (NASB)

Paul is desperate to return to the Thessalonians, but he cannot. He is prevented again and again from them. He tells us at the end of chapter two why he wants toe return to them: It is because they are the proof of calling; they are his miracles. And here is where we pick up in chapter 3. 

“Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to be left behind, alone at Athens, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the benefit of your faith, 3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. 4 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.5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be for nothing.”

Since Paul was going to be unable to go the Thessalonians to be with them in the “afflictions” that they were facing—and because they were so important to him—Paul sends Timothy to be with them. He is Paul’s brother and fellow worker and has been sent to remind the church of the power, presence, and work of Jesus Christ, “to strengthen and encourage” them for the “benefit of [their] faith”. This is so that their faith will not waiver— “for fear that the tempter might have tempted [them]”—as they faced this unspecified trial. And this trial is related to the message that had been preached to them.

The last part of verse 3 and verse 4 bear this out. “For you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. 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.” Paul reminds them here that the gospel message of Jesus Christ WILL LEAD TO SUFFERING. And those who live by it will be off-putting to others. 

This is something that is often overlooked in today’s Christianity. Our faith will not win us admiration and kudos from the world. It’s a way of life that brings difficulties. This is not supposed to be an easy thing. Paul says, “I told you if you chose to have faith in Jesus you’d suffer because of it, and so it happened…” What’s Bill Ingvar’s catch phrase? “Here’s your sign.” 

In verse five he tells them that when his worry about them got too high, it was then that he “sent to find out about [their] faith.” The apostle feared that they were slipping to temptation—as many in James’ audience had done. They are his crown and joy, and he doesn’t want to see the falter and his efforts wasted.
 
“ 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, 7 for this reason, brothers and sisters, 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.”

Here Paul encourages the church to do a Dory and just keep swimming. He tells them of Timothy’s report of their continuing faith and love. They are staying the course in their trial. Paul says in verse seven that their faithfulness is an encouragement to him in his “distress and affliction”. Such is the power of faith, and this is something that we need to remember. 

You are not the only person facing whatever it is that you are facing. But 1 Thessalonians 3:7 is here to remind you that you are not alone. There are examples of people that have faced and are facing these same things that you are because of their faith that have chosen to remain faithful to the gospel that is Jesus Christ.

Maybe it’s a relative or a stranger or even one of your heroes pushing you and trying to discredit your faith. Maybe the Tempter is trying to convince you that just this once to not seek to do what Christ would do—to act or say something that is contrary to the Way and the Truth and the Life that is Jesus. Remember, you aren’t the first to face these trials and afflictions, and you won’t be the last, but you are an example to others, just as they are to you. 

If we choose to react as the You Tube or Tick Tok advises us to; if we choose to change course to get along and choose not to keep our integrity, what telling other believers?

“…for now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.” Okay. Now Paul has crossed a line! Paul makes the impact of the Thessalonians’ willingness to remain faithful more than academic. He places the onus not on those watching but on those demonstrating their faith or their faithlessness. Rephrasing this verse makes this clearer: if you stand fast in the Lord, I will continue to live. In other words, it is the Thessalonians’ responsibility to remain faithful for the sake of others. They—we—are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.
 
Remember, Paul has already implied this very idea earlier in this letter when he informed the church of its positive impact on the other churches—how its faith has helped others to become faithful. This back in chapter one. Now he just kicks it up a notch. 

“9 For what thanks can we give to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice because of you before our God, 10 as we keep praying most earnestly night and day that we may see your faces, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?”

Just as the Thessalonians’ faithfulness is for Paul’s benefit, so too is his joy for their “sake before our God”. And since their faith is not perfect—whose is—the apostle prays to finally get to be with them to “supply what is lacking” in their faith. Remaining faithful takes work, and discipleship is ongoing until the end. 
“ 11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you;12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.”

Paul then offers a prayer. He prays to be able to finally get to see them and that cause their love to “overflow” for each other in the church “and for all people.” Here, yet again, Paul reminds his readers that their faithfulness and love is not for themselves but for others. Finally, Paul prays that Christ will keep the church faithful through all their current afflictions and the ones yet to come.