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i thessalonians 3
Haystack bible commentary"Stacks and stacks of commentary...."
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==1 Thessalonians 3:1-2:
Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,
2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
==1 Thessalonians 3:3:
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that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.
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"Your work of faith"--is better translated, "their work produced by faith." "Work" is the Greek ergon, which refers to "a work, a deed, action, or accomplishment." It is "work" (singular) not "works" (plural) and seems to look at a specific work or deed performed.
The Thessalonians were acting out their faith in works of compassion and mercy. But here Paul is probably referring to their bold preaching of the gospel in the midst of persecution (1:8). "Your labor of love"--is better translated, "their labor prompted by love.""Labor" is the Greek kopos, which refers to "laborious toil, trouble, difficulty." The labor of love is a present labor and is explained in verse 9, "to serve the living and true God." The objects of this love were the other members of the Christian community. -Berean Bible Church |
==1 Thessalonians 3:4-13:
For, 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, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.
6 But 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, as we also to see you—
7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.
8 For now we live, if you stand 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 and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.
12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,
13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.
6 But 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, as we also to see you—
7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.
8 For now we live, if you stand 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 and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.
12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,
13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.