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:
Minister of God, and our fellow-labourer. 'Aleph (') A, Vulgate, read only "minister of God." Delta G g, and 'fellow-labourer of God' (1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:1). The English version reading is perhaps compounded of the two other readings. Paul calls Timothy "our brother" here; But in 1 Corinthians 4:17, "my son." He speaks thus highly of one so lately ordained, both to impress the Thessalonians with respect for the delegate sent to them, and to encourage Timothy, who was young and of a weakly constitution (1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Timothy 5:23). 'Gospel ministers do the work of God with Him, for Him, and under Him' (Edmunds).
Establish. In 2 Thessalonians 3:3 GOD is said to "stablish." He is the true stablisher: ministers are His "instruments" (Acts 15:32).
Concerning х huper (G5228)] - 'in behalf of;' i:e., for the furtherance of your faith. х Parakalesai (G3870)] "Comfort" includes also 'exhort.' The Thessalonians in their trials needed both (1 Thessalonians 3:3: cf. Acts 14:22).