Free Bible Commentary
“1 Thessalonians 3:1-5”
Categories: 1 Thessalonians“Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.”
---End of Scripture Verses
Sometimes we all need to be strengthened and encouraged in our faith (verse 2). We are often fraught with weakness and temptation, and God has blessed us with loving brethren to help lift us up and shoulder our burdens (Galatians 6:1-2). It appears from the context that the strength and encouragement that Timothy was sent to instill in the Thessalonians was to equip them for the spiritual battle they were currently involved in, and the skirmishes that were certain to ensue. We need to lift each other up so that we can continue to put up a good fight against Satan and his daily onslaught.
Christians are destined for afflictions (verse 3). I don’t know of anyone who actually enjoys trouble and afflictions, but there is no reason for any child of God to be surprised or caught off their guard when they come. 1 Peter 4:12-14 tells us, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” It is a matter of “when” and not “if” persecutions will come. All who are trying to live lives that are pleasing to the Lord WILL suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). If we try to avoid difficulties at all cost, chances are we are not being what God wants us to be in Christ.
Please do not dismiss the power of the tempter (verse 5). Do not be fooled into thinking that he is not real, and that he is not heavily involved in your temptations to do wrong. The tempter tempted Jesus (Matthew 4:3) and you are not greater than your Lord, so you can know for sure that the devil wants to tempt you and deceive you and destroy you. The Apostle Paul wrote frequently about Satan and his active endeavors to hinder the spread of the Gospel and the salvation of souls. Satan had hindered Paul from returning to the Thessalonian brethren in order to strengthen and encourage them himself (2:18). And he wants to hinder you from doing good and to tempt you to sin. Please put up a deliberate resistance against your greatest adversary. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7). He will keep coming back, so you keep resisting! Read! Study! Pray! Worship! Fellowship! Teach! Work! Fight! To quote a political slogan: “You are the resistance!”
Please read 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 for tomorrow.
Have a strong day!
- Louie Taylor
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