1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Paul's Longing to See Them Again

1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing d to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we e sent Timothy, f our brother and God's coworker 1 in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that g we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, h just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, i when I could bear it no longer, i I sent to learn about your faith, j for fear that somehow k the tempter had tempted you and l our labor would be in vain.

  1. Cross References
    Acts 17:15 - 16
    Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.
  2. Cross References
    Philippians 2:19
    I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.
  3. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:1
    Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:
    Colossians 1:1
    Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother.
    Philemon 1:1
    Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker
    Hebrews 13:23
    You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon.
  4. Cross References
    Acts 9:16
    For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.
    Acts 14:22
    Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
  5. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:14
    For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews.
  6. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 3:1 - 2
    Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone.
  7. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 3:1 - 2
    Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone.
  8. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:5
    Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
    2 Corinthians 11:3
    But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
  9. Cross References
    Matthew 4:3
    And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.
  10. Cross References
    Philippians 2:16
    Holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.