1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 (NKJV) 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, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 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.
V1 “Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone…”
After his experiences in Thessaloniki (Acts 17:5-9), Paul and his team then went to Berea (Acts 17:10-15), then went to Athens. Athens is where Paul wandered around the market place near the Acropolis and saw the altar to the “Unknown God.” While preaching there, he was invited to speak to the elites who met on the Acropolis (Acts 17:22-34). While in Athens, Paul knew he had spent little time in Thessaloniki. He was concerned about their faith and life, so he sent Timothy and the team to investigate. Paul remained in Athens alone.
V2 “…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…” Timothy’s purpose/assignment was to establish (strengthen their faith) and encourage them in their spiritual and physical persecutions. All believers need to do the same for our fellow Christians.
V3 “…that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.” Our faith should not be shaken, for trials and afflictions were to be expected. People often hate Jesus and His followers after hearing the Gospel and rejecting it (John 7:7 and John 15:18). There are trials of temptation to deny the faith (1 Timothy 4:1-5), temptation to sin (James 1:12), false teachers (2 Peter 2:1), persecutions (1 Peter 4:12-16), and discouragement through seeing evil lives and actions (2 Peter 2:4-9). If we remain faithful in such testing, God strengthens us. If we do fall to temptation and persecutions, God gently chastens (Hebrews 12:7). The trials we face yield genuineness of faith (1 Peter 1:6-7), developed and strengthened Christian character (Romans 5:3-4), and refined and purified faith (James 1:3-4 and 1 Peter 1:6-9). When the trial is over, God blesses us in some way (Psalm 66:10-12). Even though people might try to discourage our faith by various means (Luke 8:53), God does not leave us (Hebrews 13:5), promises to deliver us sometime or somewhere (2 Peter 2:9). Martyrdom is always a possibility (Revelation 2:10). Trials cause us to pray more (Hebrews 4:14-16), seek the comfort and sympathy of fellow Christians (2 Corinthians 7:5-7), and build endurance (James 5:11). Sometimes we do fail, but God does restore (Peter as in John 18:25-27 and John 21).
V4 “For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.” Paul had taught them these things when he was still with them. Now, persecution is happening to them. We must teach apologetics. Since failing might happen, we must be aware of this for ourselves and others to encourage, pray, and help each other.
V5 “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.” It is not only the responsibility of pastors and pastor missionaries to care about the converts, but all of us must be concerned. If we can do nothing else, we can pray. Satan hates us and seeks to destroy us along with our faith. If he cannot destroy us or our faith, he will try to neutralize our testimony, service, and life by compromise, staying quiet about our faith, or to follow a substitute (Luke 8:14).