‘Wherefore when we could not longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and God's minister (or fellow worker) in the Good News of Christ, to establish you and comfort you concerning your faith, that no man be moved by these afflictions, for you yourselves know that hereunto we were appointed.'
Paul's concern for the Thessalonians had been such that it had preyed on his mind, and in the end, at great sacrifice to himself, for it meant that he and Silas were then alone in Athens, he had sent Timothy to them. The purpose behind this had been to establish and strengthen them in their faith.
‘To be left at Athens alone.' The verb is a strong one conveying something of the cost to them. Compare its use in Mark 12:19 and Ephesians 5:31. It indicates how difficult they were finding ministry in Athens to which they presumably returned some time after Paul's first visit (see Acts 17:16-34, although that was before Silas and Timothy joined him at Corinth).
‘God's minister' or ‘God's fellow-worker. The manuscripts are divided on this (with variations). The latter is the more difficult reading as representing a description that might be felt to be too bold, although a similar also appears in 1 Corinthians 3:9. We can see why it might have been softened to the former. It demonstrates the highest regard for Timothy in his ministry. To be God's fellow-worker, a worker together with God, is the highest honour that can be paid to a man. Notice that it is a fellow-worker in the Gospel. It is in passing on the Good News of Christ by which we become uniquely fellow-workers with God.
‘To establish and comfort you concerning your faith.' To act as a support (sterizo) and to come alongside to help (parakaleo). The idea behind both words is of strengthening. The idea is used of the Holy Spirit (Parakletos) in John 14:16; John 14:26. The aim was to bolster their faith in the face of persecution.
‘That no man be moved by these afflictions, for you yourselves know that hereunto we were appointed.' The assumption is that tribulation and persecution are to be seen as a normal part of the Christian life. We are in enemy territory (‘the world') and must therefore expect affliction. We therefore need encouragement to stand firm and not allow faith to waver or become doubt. ‘Great tribulation' is to be expected when we undermine the Enemy's position but we need not fear for Christ ‘has overcome the world' (Revelation 7:14; John 16:33; Matthew 13:21; Acts 14:22; Rom 5:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; Revelation 1:9).
‘Hereunto we were appointed.' It is quite clear that the Thessalonians were continually experiencing persecution and tribulation (see also 2 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:6). Perhaps that was one reason why they were so buoyant and alive (Romans 5:3-5). As good soldiers of Jesus Christ they responded to the challenge (2 Timothy 2:3). Paul here makes clear that it is the expected lot of all Christians. It is something established, ‘set' like a city on a hill (Matthew 5:14). We should not therefore be surprised when tribulation comes, nor should we make excessive efforts to avoid it unless thereby we help others.