Sunday, March 10, 2019 Lesson: I Thessalonians 3:1-13; Time of Action: 51 A.D.; Place of Action: Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica from Corinth Golden Text: 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 (I Thessalonians 3:6). I. INTRODUCTION. Christians are called upon to sustain each other through mutual encouragement and affection. Our foremost commitment is to the Lord, but fulfilling that commitment involves encouraging each other. Paul and his coworkers were seriously concerned about the spiritual wellbeing of the Thessalonian believers. They were young in their faith in Christ and enduring severe persecution. Would they stand firm or be drawn away from their profession of faith? Because of the new affection Paul had for these young believers, the decision was made to send Timothy to Thessalonica to encourage them to stand fast in their commitment to Christ. On his return, Timothy s report of the faith, love, and stability of the Thessalonian Christians caused Paul to be encouraged and increased his affection for them.
II. LESSON BACKGROUND. Earlier Paul had left Thessalonica secretly because of persecution and journeyed to Athens by way of Berea (see Acts 17:10-15). Silas and Timothy traveled with him to Berea, where they remained until Paul reached Athens and sent word requesting them to come as soon as possible. Apparently both men then joined Paul at Athens. He was gravely concerned about the Thessalonians, who were experiencing severe persecution (see I Thessalonians 2:14-15). Circumstances due to Satan s hindrances more than once had prohibited Paul from returning to Thessalonica (see I Thessalonians 2:17-18). Our lesson begins with chapter 3. III. MISSION FOR ENCOURAGEMENT (I Thessalonians 3:1-5) A. Timothy is dispatched to Thessalonica (I Thessalonians 3:1-2). 1. (vs. 1). In our first verse Paul wrote Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone Paul was gravely concerned about the Thessalonians who were experiencing severe persecution for their faith (see I Thessalonians 2:14-15). So, Paul wrote Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone In other words, when Paul and his
companions Silas and Timothy could no longer stand not knowing about the situation in Thessalonica, Paul and Silas agreed to stay in Athens and send Timothy back to Thessalonica as we shall see in the next verse. 2. (vs. 2). This verse says 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 With Timothy gone, Paul and Silas were left alone in Athens. The greater need was the encouragement of the Thessalonian believers. So, Paul said we 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 Evidently, Silas was sent to Macedonia shortly after this, for Silas and Timothy joined Paul later at Corinth (see Acts 18:5). It was at Corinth that Paul received Timothy s report about the Thessalonians (see I Thessalonians 3:6). Timotheus or Timothy was a brother in Christ to Paul and Silas, and to all believers. He was also a minister of God or servant of God as well as Paul and Silas fellowlabourer (or coworker) in the gospel of Christ. Paul said that Timothy was being sent to the Thessalonian believers to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith This means that Timothy was returning to Thessalonica to strengthen the believers there. To establish someone means to cause that person to become stronger in the sense of standing firm and unchanging in their attitude and belief. Timothy was also sent to comfort the Thessalonian believers concerning your (their) faith The idea here is of
someone coming alongside to actively encourage another (see Ephesians 6:20-22). The Thessalonians were recent converts to Christ and needed instruction and encouragement in their faith. Their level of spiritual maturity made them susceptible to being seduced by Satan. Paul and his associates were evangelists who were committed to the ministry of establishing new converts in their faith. B. The Thessalonians appointed to persecution (I Thessalonians 3:3-4). 1. (vs. 3). This verse says That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. The ultimate outcome of Timothy s ministry in Thessalonica was to prevent any of the Thessalonians from being moved away from their faith by persecution which Paul called these afflictions. The word moved paints a picture of the Thessalonians going back and forth in their faith because of their persecutions. They were experiencing persecution from their own countrymen (see I Thessalonians 2:14). Paul then said for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. With this statement, Paul was saying that believers have been appointed or marked out for persecution and should not be surprised when it takes place (see John 16:33; Acts 14:22). However, these believers needed to be reminded that these afflictions or persecutions were not an indication that God was displeased with them; instead God was using these afflictions to accomplish His will, which was for their ultimate good (see Romans 8:28).
2. (vs. 4). This verse says 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. Paul then reminded the Thessalonian believers that when he and his co-workers were with them they warned them that they would suffer tribulation or persecution. The phrase we told you before could be translated we predicted. Then Paul said even as it came to pass, and ye know. In other words, persecution came just as Paul had predicted, and the Thessalonian believers knew it. So they should not have been surprised at all. Timothy s ministry was to reinforce that warning and assure them that things had not gone awry. The Thessalonian church was established in the midst of persecution (see Acts 17:1-9; I Thessalonians 1:6). What they were experiencing day by day was simply a continuation of opposition to the gospel on the part of their own unsaved fellow citizens. C. Satan s enticement (I Thessalonians 3:5). This verse says 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. When Paul could no longer put up with the suspense of not knowing how the Thessalonians were doing, he said I sent to know your faith. Paul and his associates had been forced to leave Thessalonica (see Acts 17:1, 10), so he sent Timothy to find out firsthand what their spiritual status had become. He was concerned that the tempter, a reference to Satan (see Mark 1:13), would use some means or his wiles to tempt them to return to paganism and not continue to walk by faith in Christ. If this happened, Paul said that it
would make our labour be in vain. In other words, the spiritual work that they had done would be worthless. Note: We know that Paul was certain that the Thessalonians were true believers (see I Thessalonians 1:9-10) because he declared that they had been chosen by God for salvation (see I Thessalonians 1:4). Paul was well aware of how Satan worked to take advantage of believers (see II Corinthians 2:11). He could use persecution to lure the Thessalonians away from their faith. What Paul did not know was whether Satan s solicitations had been successful or not. If they were led away through temptation, Paul s labor or work among them might have been worthless. IV. REPORT OF ENCOURAGEMENT (I Thessalonians 3:6-10) A. Timothy s report (I Thessalonians 1:6). This verse says 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 Timothy returned from Thessalonica to Paul at Corinth (see Acts 18:6), bringing good news. He reported three things to Paul and Silas. First, Paul said But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity To everyone s joy, what Timothy had to report was the opposite of what Paul feared might have been the situation in
Thessalonica (see I Thessalonians 1:4-5). Paul told the Thessalonians that Timothy brought them good tidings of your faith and charity In other words, Timothy brought a good report about the Thessalonians faith and love, the meaning of charity. The Thessalonians faith in Christ was stable and bearing fruit in love even in the midst of trials. Second, Paul told the Thessalonians that Timothy also reported that ye have good remembrance of us always. These believers kept very favorable memories of the missionary team and their ministry among them. Third, Timothy reported to Paul that the Thessalonians desired greatly to see us, as we also to see you. These recent Christians wanted to see the missionary team just as much as they wanted to see them. There was a mutual longing to see each other in a face-to-face reunion. B. Comfort and renewal (I Thessalonians 3:7-8). 1. (vs. 7). This verse says Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith The personal anguish Paul was experiencing over the Thessalonians was removed completely by Timothy s report. Paul said Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith Timothy s report about the steadfast faith of the Thessalonians brought needed comfort or relief to the missionary team in the midst of their own trials. Paul often faced severe challenges and difficulties in his missionary endeavors (see Acts 17:22-32; 18:6-10). He described these difficulties as affliction and distress referring to the physical dangers, persecutions,
and privations that he experienced (see II Corinthians 11:23-27). Added to the physical affliction and distress Paul suffered was his concern for all the churches, for which he was responsible (see II Corinthians 11:28). Note: Although the Thessalonian believers were young in the faith, their testimony provided comfort to these seasoned missionaries. Timothy had been sent to comfort and to encourage the Thessalonians. But now the older ones in the faith were encouraged greatly by the younger ones in the faith. 2. (vs. 8). This verse says For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. Here Paul is saying that they could bear anything as long as they knew that the Thessalonian believers remain strong in Jesus Christ. This verse can also be translated as now we can really live knowing that you stand firm in the Lord. The fact is that Paul and his team experienced a resurgence of energy after hearing that the Thessalonians continued to stand fast or firm in the Lord. They were spiritually renewed. The Thessalonians were standing fast in their faith, unmoved by persecution from their adversaries. The key to withstanding the trials and difficulties of life is persistence of faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ (see I Corinthians 16:13; II Thessalonians 2:15). C. Jubilation and prayer (I Thessalonians 3:9-10). 1. (vs. 9). This verse says For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God
When Paul said For what thanks can we render to God again for you, it appears that he struggled with how he could adequately express his gratitude for the joy he experienced. The word render refers to paying back an obligation. Any heartfelt thanks that Paul would give before God was nothing when compared to all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God This refers to the joy he had received from the good report Timothy brought him concerning the Thessalonians. Paul recognized that God s hand was at work in their lives, just as He is in ours (see Philippians 2:13). 2. (vs. 10). In this verse, Paul continued to say Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? This verse ends with a question mark because it is a continuation of verse 9 where Paul begins asking a question. With joy in his heart, here Paul continued his question concerning how to properly thank God for the joy he received from the Thessalonians. He said Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face. Paul spent time in prayer both Night and day because he believed in praying continually (see I Thessalonians 5:17). His prayer included the desire that we might see your (the Thessalonians ) face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Paul still had a desire to return to Thessalonica, so he prayed with intensity that he might see them again. He wanted to see them face to face so that he might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Paul wanted to supply whatever was needed for the spiritual growth of these new Christians. Even though they were
standing strong in faith, there were things lacking due to their level of spiritual maturity. Like all of us, they had room to grow, much like a child develops into adulthood (see I Corinthians 3:1-8; I Peter 2:1-2). Paul prayed constantly that he could be present in Thessalonica to foster additional growth in them. V. THE GOAL OF ENCOURAGEMENT (I Thessalonians 3:11-13) A. God s direction (I Thessalonians 3:11). This verse says Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. Here, we see more of Paul s desire to return to Thessalonica. He expressed this desire as an appeal that God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. This statement affirms the lordship of Jesus Christ and His oneness with the Father. First, the Father and Jesus Christ are addressed equally in Paul s prayer. Second, they are the combined subject of the singular verb direct. Paul prayed that the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ together would direct or make straight Paul s path to Thessalonica. Paul s prayer that God would make the way straight to Thessalonica was essentially an appeal to God the Father and Jesus Christ to remove any possible hindrances. Unless God took the necessary measures, Paul would not be able to return to Thessalonica (see I Thessalonians 2:18). He did visit Macedonia, the region in which Thessalonica was located a few years later on
his third missionary journey (see Acts 20:1-4). We don t know for sure if Paul revisited Thessalonica at this time or not, but it is quite possible that God the Father and Jesus the Son answered Paul s prayer in their own time. B. Love and affection abounding (I Thessalonians 3:12-13). 1. (vs. 12). This verse says And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you Paul also prayed that the Lord would cause the Thessalonians to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you In other words, Paul s prayer was that the Thessalonians love would super-abound and overflow to each other (see John 13:34-35), and expand beyond their circle of believers to embrace everyone (see Galatians 6:10; I Thessalonians 5:15). Love wells up from within the believer, for love is a fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22). The last part of this verse says even as we do toward you indicates that the love of the missionaries overflowed to the Thessalonians who set an example of love for them (see I Thessalonians 2:7-12). 2. (vs. 13). Our final verse says, 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. The Thessalonians were to increase and abound in love so that the Lord may stablish your (their) hearts unblameable in holiness
before God, even our Father. In other words, as love abounded in the hearts of the Thessalonian believers, the Lord would also stablish or strengthen them to be unblameable or blameless; that is free from fault. Certainly believers are not perfect, but when failure occurs and is dealt with properly we are unblameable in holiness before God (see I John 1:9). Holiness is the state of being personally separated from sin unto God in dedication to His will and service. Believers should constantly pursue holiness because our God is holy (see Hebrews 12:14; I Peter 1:16). Finally, Paul prayed that the Thessalonians would be found strengthened, blameless and holy at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. The coming of Christ that is in view here is generally understood to be the rapture of the church, which Paul discussed at length in I Thessalonians 4:13-18. Note: There will be a future accounting of believers before God at the coming of Christ. This will take place at the judgment seat of Christ (see Romans 14:10; II Corinthians 5:10), an event that will occur after His return. This won t be a judgment to distinguish the saved from the unsaved. It will be a review of each believer s deeds by Christ. Paul wanted the Thessalonians to be prepared for this divine examination. VI. Conclusion. With the world increasingly becoming not only an enemy of committed Christians, but also at times a persecutor of the church, believers need to show deep
affection for one another, stick together and support each other. Those who oppose the followers of Jesus Christ will not go out of their way to make life easy for them or to help them as they seek to live for Christ. Christians are family, and family alone can show the love and affection we need. ***The Sunday School Curriculum, Union Gospel Press: The Bible Expositor and Illuminator***