The Mission of Timothy to Thessalonica. Paul's distress and anxiety with regard to the fate of the Church led him to send Timothy upon a mission of inquiry. He describes the effect produced upon him by Timothy's reassuring report.
1 Thessalonians 3:2. sent Timothy: in * Acts 17:14 f; Acts 18:5, Silas and Timothy left Paul at Berœ a on the sea-coast and did not rejoin him till after his arrival at Corinth. It is possible, however, that Timothy followed him to Athens and was subsequently despatched to Thessalonica. to establish: the object of Timothy's mission was: (a) to consolidate the Church, (b) to comfort the Christians in the face of persecution.
1 Thessalonians 3:3. we were appointed: i.e. to tribulation (cf. Acts 14:22).
1 Thessalonians 3:5. the tempter: Satan.
1 Thessalonians 3:7. in all our distress refers to the difficulties and disappointments connected with the European mission (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:3).
1 Thessalonians 3:8. now we live: the reassuring tidings brought new life to Paul. We learn from Acts 18 and 1 Corinthians 2:3 that he had arrived at Corinth in a very depressed condition, but the return of Timothy restored his flagging courage and made him throw himself into his work with new zest.
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13. Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians contains three petitions: (a) that the apostle may be enabled to return, (b) that the Thessalonians themselves may be established in holiness, (c) that the Church may increase and abound.
1 Thessalonians 3:11. Note the linking of the Lord Jesus with God in this verse (pp. 807 f.).
1 Thessalonians 3:12. increase and abound: Thessalonica is described as a model Church in 1 Thessalonians 1:7, yet there are further possibilities before it, and Paul gives it, as a motto for the future, the injunction increase and abound; cf. also 1 Thessalonians 4:1 and 1 Thessalonians 4:10.
1 Thessalonians 3:13. with all his saints: at the Parousia Christ is to be accompanied by all His saints, i.e. those who have fallen asleep in Christ (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:14).