The Teaching of 1 Thessalonians

By J. C. Gibson (Scotland)

Paper 6 : 1 Thessalonians chapter 3

This chapter follows on directly from the explanation of their hindrance, 2.17-20. Since Paul’s efforts to return to Thessalonica had been frustrated, the next best thing was to send Timothy to them. Paul’s ministry at Thessalonica can therefore be divided into three parts: firstly, he served in person, 1.2-2.16, secondly through an intermediary, 2.17-3.13, and thirdly, by epistle, 4.1-5.28.

In v1 we learn of love’s concern. ‘When we could no longer forbear,’ suggests that the spiritual condition of these young converts was indeed a source of great anxiety to the apostle. His continual separation from the Thessalonian Christians and lack of information about their reaction to the pressure of persecution produced unbearable uncertainty. If only the Lord would give us hearts like this to be so deeply concerned about the spiritual well being of other believers that there was no room left to worry about ourselves.

There is also love’s sacrifice, for Paul was ‘left at Athens alone.’ We should be willing to forego personal comforts for the sake of others. It was no small thing for Paul to be left at Athens and the language of this verse suggests that he felt the loneliness very keenly. ‘To be left’ may quite literally be translated ‘to be forsaken or abandoned,’ Heb.11.27; 2 Peter 2.15. There is a saying ‘no man is an island,’ and Paul longed for the company of his friends, for even the great apostle needed other believers! The whole point of this verse though is that Paul was so concerned about the Thessalonians that he was willing to suffer this loneliness for their sakes. What are we willing to give up for the sake of others?

Timothy’s character is brought out in v.2. He was a true ‘brother’. When we were saved we became related to every other Christian in a family sense and because of this should love and cherish each other. I still remember when I first became a Christian the new feelings of closeness I felt to other believers. Timothy was a servant, or ‘minister of God,’ as in Rom.15.8, telling us he was not lazy but industrious. All Christians are called to serve and should do all we can for Christ. Furthermore, he was a ‘fellow labourer,’ a co-worker, and in gospel activity we need to help and not hinder each other.

Timothy’s mission was to ‘establish’ the believers. The same word, sterizo, meaning a prop, is used in Lk.22.32, for Peter was called upon to do the same after his restoration. The picture is like that of stabilisers on a bicycle when a child is learning to ride. These Christians were just saved, just learning to live their Christian lives and needed real support. He was also to ‘comfort’ (parakaleo, to call to one’s side) the Christians, which may be more like an arm around the shoulder. How often we all need this at times. Do we try to stabilise other believers or knock them over? Do we draw near to others to encourage them or do we push them away and distance ourselves?

We see in v3 some of the details of Christian suffering. The word ‘moved’ was used of dogs, to wag the tail and hence metaphorically of persons, to disturb or disquiet them. Because suffering can really shake us up Paul was fearful lest the trials experienced by the new converts might have troubled them so much as to do irreparable damage. ‘Afflictions,’ speaks of intense pressure, which surely we have all experienced at some time in our lives. Yet the word ‘appointed’ indicates that suffering is central to the Christian life. Indeed, Calvin states that ‘afflictions are the terms on which we are Christians.’ Distress is not to be looked at as a sad side effect of salvation but as a necessity, to which God has appointed us, and it cannot be escaped.

Paul’s prediction of coming suffering, v4, was firstly honest, because ‘we told you before’. He did not try to hide from them the inevitable outcome of their trusting the Lord Jesus Christ. From Paul’s transparent honesty we should learn that it is wrong to hide from the youngest Christian the fact that tribulation is the common lot of believers whilst in this world. His prediction was accurate, because ‘it came to pass,’ in their suffering. Paul’s prediction was also Christ like, since ‘suffer tribulation’ is the word thilbo, which is used in Matt.7.14, ‘straightened’. That is, the Lord Jesus Christ told before hand of the same difficulties and hardships of the Christian life as Paul did. Finally such warning was wise, as it prepared them for what was to come so that they would not be taken by surprise.

Paul’s concern, v5, was practical, because he ‘sent’ Timothy. A genuine concern will not just be a deep anguish of spirit, but will be active, Jm.2.15, 16. How practical are we when it comes to helping other Christians in difficulty? This concern was knowledgeable, ‘lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.’ Paul well knew the fierce enmity of Satan and his continual striving to destroy all that is of God. The word for tempt is peirazo, which is at times used of God or Christ in the good sense of putting men to the test that they may stand approved. When used of the devil it always has a bad connotation, since he tests in order to disapprove. The devil’s aim is to entice men to sin and bring them to a fall.

Mutuality of feeling is indicated in v6. Just as the missionaries loved the converts and longed to see them again, so the converts loved the missionaries and wished to see them also. People at Thessalonica had been slandering the character and motives of the Lord’s servants, Ch.2, and they were concerned that this would affect the believers. What a relief Timothy’s report must have been to Paul’s heart.
We learn that older believers suffer too, ‘in all our affliction and distress,’ v7,8. Sometimes younger Christians look at older ones and think they do not understand, but they are suffering as well. Whether we are old or young in the faith, we all suffer together. Mature saints are comforted through the young going on well, ‘by your faith.’ The way we grow spiritually affects other believers whether we like it or not. If we are steadfast we will encourage others. In seeking to comfort the Thessalonian believers they themselves were comforted and so we learn that everything we do to others, good and bad, is sure to come back to us!

Paul’s thanksgiving, v9, was something of a payment back to God, for ‘render’ means to recompense. That they still stood firm in the faith was an act of God and His power. Paul’s thanksgiving was thus a little repayment to God for what He had done for the Thessalonians. Do we give thanks to the Lord when we see what good things He has done in the lives of other Christians? Such gratitude sprang out of a joyful heart, despite adversity, for ‘the joy of the Lord is your strength,’ Neh.8.10.

The true shepherd is to be characterised by, an intense desire. ‘Praying exceedingly,’ v10, tells us that Paul’s intense yearning for their spiritual well being resulted in an outpouring of his heart to the Lord. Good shepherds’ hearts go out to the sheep and therefore pray for them. Self-neglect is another feature, for he prayed ‘night and day’. Paul’s sense of bodily needs, in this case sleep, at times seems to be wanting, so caught up is he in the Lord’s service. Is this not true fasting? The Lord Jesus Christ had the same exercise, Lk.6.12. Then there is spiritual insight, as he desired to ‘perfect that which is lacking in your faith.’ Their faith was holding up despite suffering and persecution, but the body of truth that they believed was as yet incomplete. Once they were saved Paul started what we might call a ‘Christianity induction course’ with them, which he failed to complete because he was forcibly separated from them and he wished to impart to them much needed truth. Although in 1.7 Paul says they were a model church, even they had much more still to learn.

God opens the way for us to walk in, v11. Satan hindered them, but Paul’s request to God was that He would make it possible for the missionaries to return to see their beloved converts.

Love, v12, is dynamic, as Christian love can always ‘increase and abound’. We can never have enough love for others. It is divine, for He alone enables us to love as we ought, Rom.5.5; it is directed, firstly to believers, ‘one toward another,’ 1 Jn.2.10, for if we do not love fellow believers, we are not saved. Secondly it is directed to unbelievers, ‘toward all men,’ which would of course include persecutors, Matt.5.44.

As with every other chapter in 1 Thessalonians, chapter 3 closes with a reference to the Lord’s coming, v13. The coming of the Lord will be with established saints, ‘to the end He may stablish your hearts,’ the word being sterizo as in v2. In v2 Timothy is establishing the believers, but here it is the Lord who does it. His saints will be blameless and holy at His return. Further every saint will be there, for Christ comes ‘with all His saints,’ not one left behind. This coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is His return in open glory to inaugurate His world-wide reign. What an immense encouragement to these suffering saints at Thessalonica, that they, with us, are to share in the future glorious kingdom of the Lord Jesus, 2Tim.2.12.

—to be continued (DV)