1Th 3 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Thess 3:1-5: 3:1-5 After preaching in Berea, Paul had departed from Macedonia and sailed to Athens, instructing Silas and Timothy to join him soon (Acts 17:13-15 ). Timothy returned to Thessalonica (1 Thes 3:2 ), as Paul’s anxiety for the Thessalonian church had intensified (3:1 , 5 ).

Summary for 1Thess 3:1-5: 3:1-5 ^a After preaching in Berea, Paul had departed from Macedonia and sailed to Athens, instructing Silas and Timothy to join him soon (Acts 17:13-15 ^b). Timothy returned to Thessalonica (1 Thes 3:2 ^c), as Paul’s anxiety for the Thessalonian church had intensified (3:1 ^d, 5 ^e).
3:3 ^f we are destined for such troubles: Suffering for the faith is often part of a Christian’s life (1:6 ^g; 2:14 ^h; Phil 1:29 ⁱ; 1 Pet 1:6 ^j; 2:21 ^k; 3:17 ^l; 4:19 ^m).
3:5 ⁿ Paul was concerned that Satan, the tempter (Mark 1:13 ^o; 1 Cor 7:5 ^p), had undermined the Thessalonians’ faith (1 Thes 3:2 ^q, 6 ^r, 8 ^s) and rendered his work among them futile (Gal 2:2 ^t; Phil 2:16 ^u).
3:6 ^v Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians from Corinth just after Timothy returned from Thessalonica (3:2 ^w, 5 ^x; Acts 18:5 ^y). Timothy’s report provided good news about the Thessalonians’ faith and love, steadfastness (1 Thes 3:8 ^z), and hope (see also 5:8 ^aa; 2 Thes 1:3-4 ^ab).
3:8 ^ac Paul was distressed by his present circumstances (3:7 ^ad) and deeply concerned for the church (3:1 ^ae, 5 ^af). He was relieved to learn that the Thessalonians remained strong and were standing firm in the Lord even though they were also suffering (2:14 ^ag; 3:3-4 ^ah).
3:11 ^ai Paul’s prayer to return to Thessalonica very soon (3:10 ^aj) is directed both to the Father and the Lord Jesus, implying Jesus’ divinity.
3:12 ^ak A characteristic of this church was their love for one another as members of God’s family (4:9 ^al; 2 Thes 1:3-4 ^am). Paul prays that their love will grow and overflow toward those outside the Christian community (cp. 1 Thes 5:15 ^an; Gal 6:10 ^ao; 2 Tim 2:24 ^ap; Titus 3:2 ^aq) even in the face of persecution.
3:13 ^ar In the final part of this prayer (3:11-13 ^as), Paul prays that their hearts—their conduct and moral resolve (Matt 5:8 ^at; Acts 15:9 ^au; Heb 10:22 ^av)—might be strong, blameless, and holy.

• When Jesus comes, he will be accompanied by all his holy people, possibly a reference to angels (Deut 33:2 ^aw; Ps 89:5 ^ax, 7 ^ay; Dan 4:13 ^az; 8:13 ^ba; Matt 13:41 ^bb; Mark 8:38 ^bc; 13:26-27 ^bd; 2 Thes 1:7 ^be).