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3:1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to
be left at
Athens alone; 3:2 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: 3:3 That no
man should be moved by these
afflictions: for yourselves know that we
are appointed thereunto.
3:4 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.
3:5 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.
3:6 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: 3:7
Therefore,
brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction
and distress by your faith: 3:8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in
the Lord.
3:9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the
joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 3:10 Night and day
praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect
that which is lacking in your faith? 3:11 Now God himself and our
Father, and our
Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward
another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: 3:13 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.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
1 Thessalonians
Book: 1 Thessalonians
Chapter: 3
Overview:
The
Apostle sent
Timothy to establish and comfort the
Thessalonians (1-5) He rejoiced at the good tidings of their
Faith and
Love.
(6-10) And for their increase in
Grace.
(11-13)
1-5 The more we find pleasure in the ways of
God, the more we
shall desire to persevere therein. The
Apostle's design was to
establish and comfort the
Thessalonians as to the object of
their
Faith, that
Jesus Christ was the
Saviour of the world; and
as to the recompence of
Faith, which was more than enough to
make up all their losses, and to reward all their labours. But
he feared his labours would be in vain. If the
Devil cannot
hinder ministers from labouring in the
Word and doctrine, he
will, if possible, hinder the success of their labours.
No one
would willingly labour in vain. It is the will and purpose of
God, that we enter into his kingdom through many
Afflictions.
And the apostles, far from flattering people with the
expectation of worldly prosperity in religion, told them plainly
they must count upon trouble in the
Flesh. Herein they followed
the
Example of their great Master, the Author of our
Faith.
Christians were in danger, and they should be forewarned; they
will thus be kept from being improved
By any devices of the
tempter.
6-10 Thankfulness to
God is very imperfect in the present
state; but one great
End of the ministry of the
Word is to help
Faith forward. That which was the instrument to obtain
Faith, is
also the means of increasing and confirming it, namely, the
ordinances of
God; and as
Faith cometh
By hearing,
So it is
confirmed
By hearing also.
11-13 Prayer is religious
Worship, and all religious
Worship is
due unto
God only.
Prayer is to be offered to
God as our
Father.
Prayer is not only to be offered in the name of
Christ, but
offered up to
Christ himself, as our
Lord and our
Saviour. Let
us acknowledge
God in all our ways, and he will direct our
paths. Mutual
Love is required of all Christians. And
Love is of
God, and is fulfilling the
Gospel as
Well as the
Law. We need
the
Spirit's influences in order to our growth in
Grace; and the
way to obtain them, is
Prayer.
Holiness is required of all who
would go to
Heaven; and we must act
So that we do not contradict
the profession we make of
Holiness. The
Lord Jesus will
certainly come in his
Glory; his saints will come with him. Then
the excellence as
Well as the necessity of
Holiness will appear;
and without this
No hearts shall be established at that
Day, nor
shall any avoid condemnation.