1 Tessalonicenses 3

Concern for Their Faith

1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent *Rom. 16:21Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 *Eph. 3:13that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that *John 16:2; Acts 9:16; 14:22; 1 Cor. 4:9; 2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Pet. 2:21we are appointed to this. 4 *Acts 20:24For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, *1 Cor. 7:5lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and *Gal. 2:2our labor might be in vain.

Encouraged by Timothy

6 *Acts 18:5But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, *Phil. 1:8as we also tosee you— 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress *2 Cor. 1:4we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you *(Eph. 6:13, 14); Phil. 4:1stand fast in the Lord.

9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face *2 Cor. 13:9; Col. 4:12and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

Prayer for the Church

11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, *Mark 1:3direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and *Phil. 1:9; 1 Thess. 4:1, 10; 2 Thess. 1:3abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish *2 Thess. 2:17your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.