King James Version

What Does 1 Thessalonians 3:5 Mean?

1 Thessalonians 3:5 in the King James Version says “For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted y...” — study this verse from 1 Thessalonians chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

1 Thessalonians 3:5 · KJV

Faith

Context

3

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

4

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.

5

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.

6

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:

7

Therefore , brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

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Commentary

KJV Study 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—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 (διὰ τοῦτο κἀγὼ μηκέτι στέγων ἔπεμψα εἰς τὸ γνῶναι τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν, μή πως ἐπείρασεν ὑμᾶς ὁ πειράζων καὶ εἰς κενὸν γένηται ὁ κόπος ἡμῶν). Ho peirazōn (ὁ πειράζων, 'the tempter') is Satan's title, the one who tests/tempts to destroy faith. Paul feared Satan exploited persecution to undermine the Thessalonians' faith.

And our labour be in vain (eis kenon genētai ho kopos hēmōn, εἰς κενὸν γένηται ὁ κόπος ἡμῶν, 'our labor become in vain')—kenon (empty/fruitless) indicates wasted effort. Paul's concern wasn't personal reputation but fruit's reality. Temporary emotional response or intellectual assent isn't genuine conversion; persevering faith proves authenticity (Matt 13:20-21). The tempter's goal is apostasy—using persecution's pressure to cause believers to abandon faith. Paul sent Timothy to assess whether the Thessalonians' faith was genuine (persevering despite affliction) or superficial (collapsing under pressure). Timothy's good report (v. 6) proved their conversion's authenticity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Satan's role as tempter is consistent biblical teaching (Matt 4:3; 1 Cor 7:5; Rev 12:9). He exploits persecution to induce apostasy, as Jesus's parable teaches: 'When tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended' (Mark 4:17). Paul's anxiety about the tempter's success wasn't paranoia but spiritual realism—many conversions prove superficial under testing (Matt 7:21-23; Luke 8:13; Heb 6:4-6). The Thessalonians' perseverance despite Satan's tempting and persecution's pressure vindicated both God's electing grace and Paul's faithful ministry.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Satan exploit trials and persecution to tempt believers toward apostasy?
  2. What evidence demonstrates that your faith is genuine (persevering despite testing) rather than superficial (collapsing under pressure)?
  3. How do you balance confidence in God's preserving grace with sober awareness of apostasy's possibility?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
διὰ1 of 24

“cause”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τοῦτο2 of 24

“For this”

G5124

that thing

κἀγὼ3 of 24

“when I”

G2504

so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.

μηκέτι4 of 24

“no longer”

G3371

no further

στέγων5 of 24

“could”

G4722

to roof over, i.e., (figuratively) to cover with silence (endure patiently)

ἔπεμψα6 of 24

“I sent”

G3992

to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term

εἰς7 of 24

“in”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ8 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γνῶναι9 of 24

“know”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

τὴν10 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστιν11 of 24

“faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

ὑμῶν12 of 24

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

μήπως13 of 24

“lest by some means”

G3381

lest somehow

πειράζων14 of 24

“have tempted”

G3985

to test (objectively), i.e., endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline

ὑμᾶς15 of 24

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ὁ16 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πειράζων17 of 24

“have tempted”

G3985

to test (objectively), i.e., endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline

καὶ18 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἰς19 of 24

“in”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

κενὸν20 of 24

“vain”

G2756

empty (literally or figuratively)

γένηται21 of 24

“be”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ὁ22 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόπος23 of 24

“labour”

G2873

a cut, i.e., (by analogy) toil (as reducing the strength), literally or figuratively; by implication, pains

ἡμῶν24 of 24

“our”

G2257

of (or from) us

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Thessalonians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Thessalonians 3:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Thessalonians 3:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 1:13-14Matthew 4:32 Corinthians 2:11Isaiah 49:4Ephesians 4:14Galatians 1:6-9

Test Your Knowledge

1 Thessalonians 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Thessalonians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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