July 28, 2014 1st Thessalonians Chapter 3

1st Thessalonians Chapter 3

Originally posted Friday September 12, 2008

1st Thessalonians Chapter 3:1-5 Paul Sends Timothy to Thessalonica

In the previous chapter Paul expresses his eagerness to visit the Thessalonians' community, a trip which has so far been blocked by Satan. In his time and culture the forces of the universe - including the planets, stars and a host of "powers and principalities" - continually conspired to control the actions of human beings. Satan was, in Jewish cosmology, the composite of all these entities, always working against God's will. We do not read an explanation of how it is that Satan's actions are able to trump God's will. That it often does is at the least a testimony to the ancient mind's belief in his power to interfere with the desire of others to do God's will.

Paul cannot make the journey but does not wish to wait any longer to find a way to be there in spirit if not face to face. Because he has not heard any news from the Thessalonians he has become concerned that the believers have been tempted by the "tempter" (Satan) to abandon their faith. Accordingly, he decides to send Timothy while he remains alone in Athens (Acts 17:10-15). Timothy's instructions are to "strengthen and encourage" the Thessalonians in their faith so that they will not be "shaken by these persecutions" (2:14), which he understands as having come from Satan. Timothy, one of Paul's accomplished, fellow evangelists, is well qualified to act in Paul's name and with his authority. Paul reminds the believers that he had warned them of such persecution. He sees persecution as unavoidable and an inevitable part of being a faithful Christian who lives a life in Christ for all the entire hostile world to see. Modern day Christians may not experience "persecution" in the way Paul and the Thessalonians did. However, to be ridiculed or at least to be a cause of some puzzlement to unchurched friends and relatives because of one's commitment to the Church, its worshipping community and ministries carried out in God's name, is not unknown. If we take seriously and act faithfully on our promise of membership to support the Church with our prayers, presence, gifts and service, we may well, as did the Thessalonians, appear to live in another world. Of course, we do!

1st Thessalonians Chapter 3:6-13 Timothy's Encouraging Report

We can almost see this scene in our mind's eye. Paul is seated at his desk writing this letter and all of a sudden Timothy walks through the door with good news from Thessalonica that their faith and love are intact. What timing! Paul is exuberant. His anxieties are relieved. Everything is well with the Thessalonians who "always remember [him] kindly and long to see [him]." Not only has Timothy encouraged the Thessalonians, they have been an encouragement to Paul and his co-workers because of their steadfast faith even in the face of persecution. Paul can say to them that their encouragement has made his life less anxious. At the same time he exhorts them to continue to "stand firm in the Lord." The joy he feels overflows in thanksgiving to God. He promises that he will continue to pray for the opportunity to see them "face to face and supply (not restore) what is lacking in [their] faith." There is no intended criticism as if their faith were not strong enough. Paul has already written otherwise. To "supply what is lacking" is to add further understanding of what their faith calls them to be. They are, after all, "babes in Christ," who can and will profit from the teaching available from this venerable apostle.

Vss. 11-13 are in the form of a benediction but serve more as a doxological prayer pronounced over the previous words of joyful thanksgiving. It is a prayer offered with an assurance of it being answered by God in a positive way. He is sure God will lead Paul back to Thessalonica, guide the believers to "abound in love for one another" just as Paul loves them. Thereby they will excel in holiness and stand blameless before God on that day when Christ returns "with all his saints."