King James Version

What Does 1 Thessalonians 3:6 Mean?

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 · King James Version

Faith

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.

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Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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—arti 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?
KS
Written by KJV Study Commentary • Biblical Commentary

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
Ἄρτι
1 of 31

“now”

G737
just now
δὲ
2 of 31

“But”

G1161
but, and, etc
ἐλθόντος
3 of 31

“came”

G2064
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Τιμοθέου
4 of 31

“when Timotheus”

G5095
dear to god; timotheus, a christian
πρὸς
5 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,
ἡμᾶς
6 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)
ὑμῶν
8 of 31

“of your”

G5216
of (from or concerning) you
καὶ
9 of 31

“also”

G2532
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εὐαγγελισαμένου
10 of 31

“brought”

G2097
to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
ἡμῖν
11 of 31

“us”

G2254
to (or for, with, by) us
τὴν
12 of 31
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστιν
13 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
καὶ
14 of 31

“also”

G2532
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
15 of 31
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγάπην
16 of 31

“charity”

G26
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
ὑμῶν
17 of 31

“of your”

G5216
of (from or concerning) you
καὶ
18 of 31

“also”

G2532
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅτι
19 of 31

“that”

G3754
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἔχετε
20 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
μνείαν
21 of 31

“remembrance”

G3417
recollection; by implication, recital
ἡμῶν
22 of 31

“of us”

G2257
of (or from) us
ἀγαθὴν
23 of 31

“good”

G18
"good" (in any sense, often as noun)
πάντοτε
24 of 31

“always”

G3842
every when, i.e., at all times
ἐπιποθοῦντες
25 of 31

“desiring greatly”

G1971
to dote upon, i.e., intensely crave possession (lawfully or wrongfully)
ἡμᾶς
26 of 31

“us”

G2248
us
ἰδεῖν
27 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
καθάπερ
28 of 31

“as”

G2509
exactly as
καὶ
29 of 31

“also”

G2532
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡμεῖς
30 of 31

“we”

G2249
we (only used when emphatic)
ὑμᾶς
31 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

1 Corinthians 11:2Isaiah 52:7Proverbs 25:251 Thessalonians 1:3Acts 18:52 Corinthians 7:5-7

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