King James Version
1 Thessalonians 3
13 verses with commentary
Timothy's Visit and Report
Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone</strong>—<em>dio mēketi stegontes eudokēsamen kataleiphthēnai en Athēnais monoi</em> (διὸ μηκέτι στέγοντες εὐδοκήσαμεν καταλειφθῆναι ἐν Ἀθήναις μόνοι, 'therefore no longer able to endure, we thought it good to be left behind in Athens alone'). <em>Stegō</em> (στέγω, 'to endure/bear/forbear') indicates ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**III.**
(1) **We could no longer forbear.**—The Greek word contains the metaphor of a vessel over-full and bursting with its contents. “We*”* must be understood here by the limitation of 1Thessalonians 2:18, and by the direct singular of 1Thessalonians 3:5, to mean St. Paul alone, not him and Silas.
**To be left at Athens alone.**—The difficulty of interpreting this passage so as to agree with Ac...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. every tongue--**Compare "every knee" (Php 2:10). In every way He shall be acknowledged as Lord (no longer as "servant," Php 2:7). As none can fully do so "but by the Holy Ghost" (1Co 12:3), the spirits of good men who are dead, must be the class directly meant, Php 2:10, "under the earth."
**to the glory of God the Father--**the grand end of Christ's mediatorial office and kingdom, which s...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle cautions the Philippians against judaizing false teachers, and renounces his own former privileges.(1-11)
Expresses earnest desire to be found in Christ; also his pressing on toward perfection; and recommends his own example to other believers.(12-21)
**Verses 1-11**
Sincere Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus. The prophet calls the false prop...
Read full commentary →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:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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</strong>—Timothy receives three titles: <em>ton adelphon hēmōn kai diakonon tou Theou kai synergon hēmōn en tō euangeliō tou Christou</em> (τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἡμῶν καὶ διάκονον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ συνεργὸν ἡμῶν ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, 'our ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Sent.**—It may possibly mean that a message was despatched to him at Berœa, ordering him to go, but is far more naturally understood if Timothy were at Athens at the time.
**And minister . . .**—The text here, according to the judgment of most of the best editors (though Tischendorf in his last edition has modified his opinion), is interpolated, and the verse should run: “our brother, and Go...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. Wherefore--**Seeing that we have in Christ such a specimen of glory resulting from "obedience" (Php 2:8) and humiliation, see that ye also be "obedient," and so "your salvation" shall follow your obedience.
**as ye have ... obeyed--**"even as ye have been obedient," namely, to God, as Jesus was "obedient" unto God (see on Php 2:8).
**not as, &c.--**"not as if" it were a matter to be ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle cautions the Philippians against judaizing false teachers, and renounces his own former privileges.(1-11)
Expresses earnest desire to be found in Christ; also his pressing on toward perfection; and recommends his own example to other believers.(12-21)
**Verses 1-11**
Sincere Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus. The prophet calls the false prop...
Read full commentary →That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto . there unto: or, to sufferings, or, to persecution
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto</strong>—<em>to mēdena sainesthai en tais thlipsesin tautais; autoi gar oidate hoti eis touto keimetha</em> (τὸ μηδένα σαίνεσθαι ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσιν ταύταις· αὐτοὶ γὰρ οἴδατε ὅτι εἰς τοῦτο κείμεθα, 'that no one be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are destined fo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Moved, **or more literally, *seduced.* The very peculiar word in the original means, in the first instance, the *fawning* of an animal upon its master: then, through the intermediate sense of “wheedling,” it comes to mean the gradual detachment of a person from his resolution by *any* insinuating representations, whether of flattery or (as here) of fear. The next word should be *in* or *in t...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. For--**encouragement to work: "For it is God who worketh in you," always present with you, though I be absent. It is not said, "Work out your own salvation, though it is God," &c., but, "because it is God who," &c. The will, and the power to work, being first instalments of His grace, encourage us to make full proof of, and carry out to the end, the "salvation" which He has first "wo...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle cautions the Philippians against judaizing false teachers, and renounces his own former privileges.(1-11)
Expresses earnest desire to be found in Christ; also his pressing on toward perfection; and recommends his own example to other believers.(12-21)
**Verses 1-11**
Sincere Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus. The prophet calls the false prop...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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</strong>—<em>kai gar hote pros hymas ēmen proelegomen hymin hoti mellomen thlibesthaiProelegomen, 'we were foretelling you that we were about to suffer tribulation'). The imperfect tense indicates repeated warning: Paul didn't mention suffering once but continually ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **For verily, when . . .**—To appreciate the nature of the argument, see the passages referred to in the margin.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14. murmurings--**secret murmurings and complaints against your fellow men arising from selfishness: opposed to the example of Jesus just mentioned (compare the use of the word, Joh 7:12, 13; Ac 6:1; 1Pe 4:9; Jude 16).
**disputings--**The Greek is translated "doubting" in 1Ti 2:8. But here referring to profitless "disputings" with our fellow men, in relation to whom we are called on to be "bla...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle cautions the Philippians against judaizing false teachers, and renounces his own former privileges.(1-11)
Expresses earnest desire to be found in Christ; also his pressing on toward perfection; and recommends his own example to other believers.(12-21)
**Verses 1-11**
Sincere Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus. The prophet calls the false prop...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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</strong>—<em>dia touto kagō mēketi stegōn epempsa eis to gnōnai tēn pistin hymōn, mē pōs epeirase hymas ho peirazōn kai eis kenon genētai ho kopos hēmōn</em> (διὰ τοῦτο κἀγὼ μηκέτι στέγων ἔπεμψα εἰς τὸ γνῶναι τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν, μή πως ἐπείρασεν...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **For this cause.**—“Because I knew that temptation was sure to overtake you, I sent to see whether our work still lived, and was likely to live, in spite of it.”
**To know your faith.**—“To ascertain whether you still believed:” only the form courteously implies that the faith was certainly *there, *and St. Paul only sent to “make assurance doubly sure.”
**The tempter.**—See Matthew 4:3. The ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15. blameless and harmless--**without either the repute of mischief, or the inclination to do it [Alford].
**sons--**rather as Greek, "the children of God" (Ro 8:14-16). Imitation of our heavenly Father is the instinctive guide to our duty as His children, more than any external law (Mt 5:44, 45, 48).
**without rebuke--**"without (giving handle for) reproach." The whole verse tacitly refers ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle cautions the Philippians against judaizing false teachers, and renounces his own former privileges.(1-11)
Expresses earnest desire to be found in Christ; also his pressing on toward perfection; and recommends his own example to other believers.(12-21)
**Verses 1-11**
Sincere Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus. The prophet calls the false prop...
Read full commentary →Encouragement from Timothy's Report
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:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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</strong>—<em>arti de elthontos Timothou pros hēmas aph' hymōn kai euangelisamenou hēmin tēn pistin kai tēn agapēn hymōn</em> (ἄρτι δὲ ἐλθόντος Τιμοθέου πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀφ' ὑμῶν καὶ εὐαγγελισαμένου ἡμ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) “We were in great anxiety, for fear you should have fallen away, and sent Timothy to see if all was well; but now, all anxiety is over.”
**Timotheus came.**—According to the usual interpretation of 1Thessalonians 3:1-2, adopted above, this will mean that Timothy had already returned from his mission to Thessalonica, as related in Acts 18:5, and the occasion of this present letter will be St. P...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. Holding forth--**to them, and so applying it (the common meaning of the Greek; perhaps here including also the other meaning, "holding fast"). The image of light-bearers or luminaries is carried on from Php 2:15. As the heavenly luminaries' light is closely connected with the life of animals, so ye hold forth the light of Christ's "word" (received from me) which is the "life" of the Gentiles...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle cautions the Philippians against judaizing false teachers, and renounces his own former privileges.(1-11)
Expresses earnest desire to be found in Christ; also his pressing on toward perfection; and recommends his own example to other believers.(12-21)
**Verses 1-11**
Sincere Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus. The prophet calls the false prop...
Read full commentary →Therefore , brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith</strong>—<em>dia touto parekl ēthēmen, adelphoi, eph' hymin epi pasē tē anankē kai thlipsei hēmōn dia tēs hymōn pisteōs</em> (διὰ τοῦτο παρεκλήθημεν, ἀδελφοί, ἐφ' ὑμῖν ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ ἀνάγκῃ καὶ θλίψει ἡμῶν διὰ τῆς ὑμῶν πίστεως, 'therefore we were comforted, brothers, over you in all our necessity ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **In all our affliction and distress.**—The words give no decisive indication whether the distress came from within or from without, and it is impossible to specify in what it consisted; but either way it suits very well with Acts 18:5-17; 1Corinthians 2:3.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. Yea, and if--**rather as Greek, "Yea, if even"; implying that he regarded the contingency as not unlikely: He had assumed the possibility of his being found alive at Christ's coming (for in every age Christ designed Christians to stand in preparedness for His coming as at hand): he here puts a supposition which he regards as more likely, namely, his own death before Christ's coming.
**I be...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle cautions the Philippians against judaizing false teachers, and renounces his own former privileges.(1-11)
Expresses earnest desire to be found in Christ; also his pressing on toward perfection; and recommends his own example to other believers.(12-21)
**Verses 1-11**
Sincere Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus. The prophet calls the false prop...
Read full commentary →For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord</strong>—<em>hoti nyn zōmen ean hymeis stēkete en Kyriō</em> (ὅτι νῦν ζῶμεν ἐὰν ὑμεῖς στήκετε ἐν Κυρίῳ, 'because now we live if you stand fast in the Lord'). This startling statement equates the Thessalonians' perseverance with Paul's very life. <em>Zaō</em> (ζάω, 'to live') isn't mere biological existence but abundant life—purpose, joy, fulfil...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Now we live, if.**—“Now” contrasts the new life and vigour which the “gospel of their faith and charity” had infused into the Apostle, with the deadly sinking he had felt at the thought of their possible apostacy. At the same time the “if” has the half-future sense, as though St. Paul meant that the continuance of this “life” was contingent upon their continued steadfastness. Another interpr...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
18. "Do ye also rejoice" at this honor to you, "and congratulate me" on my blessed "gain" (Php 1:21).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle cautions the Philippians against judaizing false teachers, and renounces his own former privileges.(1-11)
Expresses earnest desire to be found in Christ; also his pressing on toward perfection; and recommends his own example to other believers.(12-21)
**Verses 1-11**
Sincere Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus. The prophet calls the false prop...
Read full commentary →For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God</strong>—<em>tina gar eucharistian dynameth a tō Theō antapodounai peri hymōn epi pasē tē chara hē chairomen di' hymas emprosthen tou Theou hēmōn</em> (τίνα γὰρ εὐχαριστίαν δυνάμεθα τῷ Θεῷ ἀνταποδοῦναι περὶ ὑμῶν ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ χαρᾷ ᾗ χαίρομεν δι' ὑμᾶς ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν, 'Fo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **For what thanks can we render.**—An apology for the enthusiastic expressions used in the three foregoing verses. “I may call it a gospel, a balm for all anxieties, a new life, for what mode of thanksgiving could be deemed extravagant in such a case of joy?”
**Before our God.**—As in 1Thessalonians 1:3, the occasion on which the joy and thankfulness bursts out is “in prayer;” perhaps, in conn...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
19. Php 2:22, "ye know the proof of him ... that ... he hath served with me," implies that Timothy had been long with Paul at Philippi; Accordingly, in the history (Ac 16:1-4; 17:10, 14), we find them setting out together from Derbe in Lycaonia, and together again at Berea in Macedonia, near the conclusion of Paul's missionary journey: an undesigned coincidence between the Epistle and history, a m...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle cautions the Philippians against judaizing false teachers, and renounces his own former privileges.(1-11)
Expresses earnest desire to be found in Christ; also his pressing on toward perfection; and recommends his own example to other believers.(12-21)
**Verses 1-11**
Sincere Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus. The prophet calls the false prop...
Read full commentary →Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith</strong>—<em>nyktos kai hēmeras hyperekperissou deomenoi eis to idein hymōn to prosōpon kai katartisai ta hysterēmata tēs pisteōs hymōn</em> (νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ δεομένοι εἰς τὸ ἰδεῖν ὑμῶν τὸ πρόσωπον καὶ καταρτίσαι τὰ ὑστερήματα τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν). <em>Hyperekpe...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **See your face.**—Seeing them by proxy might satisfy for the while, but not for long. This exceeding importunate, prayer is caused by the feeling that it was Satan’s hindrance (1Thessalonians 2:18), not God’s will, which forbad the meeting. He would not so have prayed to go into Bithynia (Acts 16:7), for the essence of prayer is to conform the will to God’s will.
**That which is lacking in y...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
20. His reason for sending Timothy above all others: I have none so "like-minded," literally, "like-souled," with myself as is Timothy. Compare De 13:6, "Thy friend which is as thine own soul" (Psa 55:14). Paul's second self.
**naturally--**Greek, "genuinely"; "with sincere solicitude." A case wherein the Spirit of God so changed man's nature, that to be natural was with him to be spiritual: the...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle cautions the Philippians against judaizing false teachers, and renounces his own former privileges.(1-11)
Expresses earnest desire to be found in Christ; also his pressing on toward perfection; and recommends his own example to other believers.(12-21)
**Verses 1-11**
Sincere Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus. The prophet calls the false prop...
Read full commentary →Prayer for the Thessalonians
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. direct: or, guide
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you</strong>—<em>autos de ho Theos kai Patēr hēmōn kai ho Kyrios hēmōn Iēsous kateuthynai tēn hodon hēmōn pros hymas</em> (αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Θεὸς καὶ Πατὴρ ἡμῶν καὶ ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦς κατευθύναι τὴν ὁδὸν ἡμῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς). Note the singular verb <em>kateuthynai</em> (κατευθύναι, 'may he direct') despite compound subjec...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **God himself and our Father.**—Better, *our God and Father Himself.* If we are to find any special person with whom the word “Himself” is intended to enforce a contrast, the contrast is probably not so much with the baffled efforts of St. Paul, as with Satan, who had hindered the journey. But the word is probably added without such specific reference: “May God Himself direct us; for in that ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The apostle cautions the Philippians against judaizing false teachers, and renounces his own former privileges.(1-11)
Expresses earnest desire to be found in Christ; also his pressing on toward perfection; and recommends his own example to other believers.(12-21)
**Verses 1-11**
Sincere Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus. The prophet calls the false prop...
Read full commentary →And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you</strong>—<em>hymas de ho Kyrios pleonasai kai perisseuai tē agapē eis allēlous kai eis pantas kathaper kai hēmeis eis hymas</em> (ὑμᾶς δὲ ὁ Κύριος πλεονάσαι καὶ περισσεύσαι τῇ ἀγάπῃ εἰς ἀλλήλους καὶ εἰς πάντας καθάπερ καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς). Two verbs intensify: <em>pleonazō</...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **And the Lord make you.**—The word *you* in the Greek is emphatic and stands first. The wish in the previous verse concerned the *writers:” *But *you* (whether we come or not) may the Lord make,” &c. By “the Lord” here St. Paul seems to mean not only the Son: the word appears to be an equivalent for the name of God.
**Increase and abound.**—These words make the readers think first of progres...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
22. Rare praise (Ne 7:2).
**as a son with the father--**Translate, "as a child (serveth) a father."
**served with me--**When we might expect the sentence to run thus. "As a child serveth a father, so he served me"; he changes it to "served with me" in modesty; as Christians are not servants TO one another," but servants of God WITH one another (compare Php 3:17).
**in the gospel--**Greek, "u...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-21**
This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not mentioned as if the apostle had gained the prize, or were already made perfect in the Saviour's likeness. He forgot the things which were behind, so as not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth, stretched himself forward towards his point; expressions showing great concern to beco...
Read full commentary →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. saints: or, holy ones, or, angels
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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</strong>—<em>eis to stērixai hymōn tas kardias amemp tous en hagiosynē emprosthen tou Theou kai Patros hēmōn en tē parousia tou Kyriou hēmōn Iēsou meta pantōn tōn hagiōn autou</em> (εἰς τὸ στηρίξαι ὑμῶν τὰς καρδίας ἀμέμπτους ἐν ἁγιωσύνῃ ἔμπρ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **To the end.**—A beautiful connection of thought. Perfect and settled sanctification in the eyes of God is the object in view, and the means by which it is to be attained is growing and overflowing love toward mankind. (See Colossians 3:14.) St. Paul is already thinking, probably, how he shall treat the subject of chastity in the next chapter. (See Note on 1Thessalonians 4:6.)
**Before God ....
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**23. so soon as I shall see--**that is, so soon as I shall have known for certain.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-21**
This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not mentioned as if the apostle had gained the prize, or were already made perfect in the Saviour's likeness. He forgot the things which were behind, so as not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth, stretched himself forward towards his point; expressions showing great concern to beco...
Read full commentary →