King James Version

What Does 1 Thessalonians 3:6 Mean?

1 Thessalonians 3:6 in the King James Version says “But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have go... — study this verse from 1 Thessalonians chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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:

1 Thessalonians 3:6 · KJV


Context

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:

8

For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 youarti de elthontos Timothou pros hēmas aph' hymōn kai euangelisamenou hēmin tēn pistin kai tēn agapēn hymōn (ἄρτι δὲ ἐλθόντος Τιμοθέου πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀφ' ὑμῶν καὶ εὐαγγελισαμένου ἡμῖν τὴν πίστιν καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην ὑμῶν, 'but now Timothy having come to us from you and having brought good news of your faith and love'). Euangelizō (εὐαγγελίζω, 'to bring good news/evangelize') typically describes gospel proclamation; here it describes good news about the Thessalonians.

Timothy reported three things: (1) faith and charity (πίστις καὶ ἀγάπη, pistis kai agapē)—the marks of authentic Christianity; (2) good remembrance of us (μνείαν ἡμῶν... ἀγαθήν)—affectionate memory, not bitterness about Paul's departure; (3) mutual desire for reunion—they longed to see Paul as he longed to see them. This report brought immense relief: persecution hadn't destroyed faith, Paul's forced departure hadn't broken relationship, and the church thrived despite his absence. Their persevering faith and love proved conversion's genuineness and the Spirit's sufficiency for sanctification.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Timothy's return to Paul (now in Corinth, Acts 18:5) probably occurred 6-12 months after Paul left Thessalonica. Paul had endured months of anxious uncertainty, fearing persecution destroyed the young church. Timothy's report was literally 'good news' (euangelion)—the gospel had taken deep root, producing persevering faith and practical love despite ongoing affliction. This validation of Paul's ministry brought joy comparable to conversion itself. The mutual longing for reunion demonstrates authentic Christian community transcending mere organizational affiliation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do faith and love together demonstrate genuine Christianity in ways neither alone would?
  2. What evidence demonstrates that your Christian relationships are mutual and deep ('good remembrance... desiring greatly to see') rather than one-sided or superficial?
  3. How does the report about distant believers bring you joy comparable to Timothy's report bringing Paul?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
Ἄρτι1 of 31

now

G737

just now

δὲ2 of 31

But

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐλθόντος3 of 31

came

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

Τιμοθέου4 of 31

when Timotheus

G5095

dear to god; timotheus, a christian

πρὸς5 of 31

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ἡμᾶς6 of 31

us

G2248

us

ἀφ'7 of 31

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

ὑμῶν8 of 31

of your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

καὶ9 of 31

also

G2532

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

εὐαγγελισαμένου10 of 31

brought

G2097

to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel

ἡμῖν11 of 31

us

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

τὴν12 of 31
G3588

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

πίστιν13 of 31

faith

G4102

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

καὶ14 of 31

also

G2532

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

τὴν15 of 31
G3588

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

ἀγάπην16 of 31

charity

G26

love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

ὑμῶν17 of 31

of your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

καὶ18 of 31

also

G2532

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

ὅτι19 of 31

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἔχετε20 of 31

ye have

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

μνείαν21 of 31

remembrance

G3417

recollection; by implication, recital

ἡμῶν22 of 31

of us

G2257

of (or from) us

ἀγαθὴν23 of 31

good

G18

"good" (in any sense, often as noun)

πάντοτε24 of 31

always

G3842

every when, i.e., at all times

ἐπιποθοῦντες25 of 31

desiring greatly

G1971

to dote upon, i.e., intensely crave possession (lawfully or wrongfully)

ἡμᾶς26 of 31

us

G2248

us

ἰδεῖν27 of 31

to see

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

καθάπερ28 of 31

as

G2509

exactly as

καὶ29 of 31

also

G2532

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

ἡμεῖς30 of 31

we

G2249

we (only used when emphatic)

ὑμᾶς31 of 31

to see you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)


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 3:6 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 3:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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