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I Thessalonians 3:6-13 – Timothy’s Report


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Study Index for 1 THESSALONIANS by Chester McCalley

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 – Serving God

I Thessalonians 2:1-16 – Gospel Taught at Thessalonica

I Thessalonians 2:17-3:5 – Paul and new believers

I Thessalonians 3:6-13 – Timothy’s Report

I Thessalonians 4:1-12 – Christian Conduct of the worthy walk

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 – The Parousia

I Thessalonians 5:1-11 – Day of the Lord

I Thessalonians 5:12-22 – Church Relationships

I Thessalonians 5:23-28 – God of peace

“Good News from Thessalonica”

 

THE REPORT 3:6

“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.”

We would do well to recall the setting of this verse. Paul could no longer endure the separation of new believers from teaching (I Thessalonians 3:1). Timothy had been dispatched to Thessalonica to meet this need (I Thessalonians 3:2). According to Philippians 2:19-20, the unavailability of teachers was due to a common prob- lem of self-interest. Timothy was a notable exception. The words but now that open verse 6 give a temporal fix. They refer to the immediate present. Everything has been reminiscent in I Thessalonians; and now with the arrival of Timothy, things take a dramatic new turn.

Paul’s excitement bursts forth as he says Timothy has brought us good news. The word good news is significant. It is used over fifty times in the New Testament, and in every case it refers to good news com- ing from God to man. It is the word used to describe the saving work of Christ—it is the word often translated gospel. Three items in Timothy’s report have fueled Paul’s enthusiasm.

THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THEIR FAITH

Paul had mentioned his concern for their faith in 3:2 and 5. Since faith requires a valid and dependable object for its value, the faith spoken of here must refer to the Thessalonian attitude toward Christian truth.

Satan has two goals regarding the believer’s relationship to truth. First, he wishes to limit our exposure to it (I Thessalonians 2:18). Second, he wishes to destroy our faith in it (I Thessalonians 3:5). He may experience success or failure at either point.

THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THEIR LOVE

Just as faith is the believer’s characteristic attitude toward God, so love is the believer’s characteristic attitude toward fellow believers.

THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THEIR ATTITUDE

Paul had doubtless wondered how successful his detractors had been during his separation from Thessalonica. The news brought back by Timothy was better than Paul expected. They had contin- ued to look back on his time with them with joy. But more—they eagerly await their reunion with him.

THE REJOICING 3:7-10

“…for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; 8for now we really live if you stand firm in the Lord. 9For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, 10as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?”

For the fourth time in this chapter, we have reference to the faith of the Thessalonians. Two things cause Paul to forget his intense afflictions. Romans 8:18 speaks of the present sufferings as not even worthy of comparison to the anticipation of glorification. Now, here in I Thessalonians 3:7, he is comforted in affliction because of the growth and stability of the Thessalonian church. The word this is singular and gathers up the three ideas of their faith, their love, and their favorable attitude toward Paul.

The words about you contain epi, a preposition used to introduce the basis on which something rests. Paul pictures the situation in Thessalonica as though his very life depends upon their spiritual success (3:8). Standing refers to firmness in the faith (Romans 11:20, II Corinthians 1:24).

Standing is a metaphor for the believer’s stability, walking for the believer’s conduct, running for the believer’s service, and seated for the believer’s position in Christ. Paul is deeply involved with the Thessalonian church. In verses 6-10 he uses the personal pronoun no less than ten times!

With verse 9 Paul takes the thanksgiving back to its ultimate source since it was not the work of Paul but the work of God that made them steadfast. Verse 10 shows that it was the progress of the Thessalonians that drew Paul into prayer for them. Many times it takes a personal need, a tragedy, a pressure, a problem, a danger, or uncertainty to cause us to pray. Not so with Paul! The Thessalonian believers were growing, and Paul prayed all the more. If one looks at Colossians 1:3-4, 9, and 2:1, we learn that Paul did not even require personal acquaintance to involve himself in prayer for others.

The word complete in verse 10 is important and colorful. The word was used literally for the mending of fishing nets in Matthew 4:21. It also carries the idea of providing what is necessary to carry out a mission, as in Hebrews 10:5 (prepared). The word lacking is a plural noun and shows that more than one thing needed rectification.

THE REQUEST 3:11-13

CONCERNING THEIR VISIT 3:11

“Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you…”

Though this verse is a petition, it also has interesting doctrinal content. First, it teaches the brotherhood of believers. This is con- veyed by the plural our God and Father. Second, the words Father and Jesus are linked by and, making them joint subjects. They are the subject of a singular verb direct. Paul thus ascribes full deity to Jesus.

CONCERNING THEIR LOVE 3:12

“…and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also do for you…”

Here is a reminder that though Paul has the most earnest desire to see them, their spiritual growth is ultimately in the hands of the Lord, whether he gets to visit them or not. The word increase is pleonazo and ties significantly into II Thessalonians 1:3 where it is translated greatly enlarged. What Paul prayed for in I Thessalonians is seen as realized in II Thessalonians.

CONCERNING THEIR STABILITY 3:13

“…so that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.”

The work of Timothy and that of God are both intended to estab lish the Christians at Thessalonica. The two work hand-in-hand and present no contradiction. God is the source of the stability and Timothy is the agent used by God to bring it about.

The words unblamable in holiness give us a good definition of glorifi-cation since they are connected to the return of Christ.



Study Index for 1 THESSALONIANS by Chester McCalley

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 – Serving God

I Thessalonians 2:1-16 – Gospel Taught at Thessalonica

I Thessalonians 2:17-3:5 – Paul and new believers

I Thessalonians 3:6-13 – Timothy’s Report

I Thessalonians 4:1-12 – Christian Conduct of the worthy walk

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 – The Parousia

I Thessalonians 5:1-11 – Day of the Lord

I Thessalonians 5:12-22 – Church Relationships

I Thessalonians 5:23-28 – God of peace

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[pinit] “He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God” -Romans 4:20(Holman) Thoughts on Today’s Verse It was ...

-Romans 4:20(Holman)

 
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