First Letter to the Thessalonians ~ Part 5

Note: To examine the graphics in this series, click on them for a pop-up version.

We pause our ongoing story of Sha’ul’s Second Missionary Journey as we dig into his first letter to the Thessalonians while in Corinth.

Anxiety in Athens

Recall from our last post that Sha’ul desired to come back to Thessalonica, but the Adversary stopped him (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18.)

3 ¹ So when we could no longer stand it, we agreed to be left in Athens alone

² and sent Timothy, our brother, and God’s fellow worker for the Good News of the Messiah, to make you solid and encourage you in your trust; ³ so that none of you would let these persecutions unsettle him. For you yourselves know that these are bound to come to us; ⁴ even when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were about to be persecuted; and indeed, it has happened, as you know.

Persecutions … are bound to come to us, as Yeshua Himself promised (Mattityahu 24:4–13, Yochanan 16:33). Believers should not be shaken by persecution because Sha’ul stated we are appointed to this in God’s plan. Yeshua taught His disciples that if people persecuted Him, they, as His followers, would be persecuted as well. In Sha’ul’s case, the persecution kept him moving from city to city. As a result, many cities were able to hear the gospel from Sha’ul’s mouth. This would not have happened had Sha’ul been warmly received among the Jews. Hence, God allowed persecution to serve as a means of accomplishing His will.

 ⁵ That is the reason why, after I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your trust. I was afraid that somehow the Tempter had tempted you, and our hard work had been wasted.

Encouraged By Timothy

⁶ But now Timothy has come to us from you, bringing good news about your trust and love, and telling us that you remember us well and are always longing to see us, just as we long to see you. ⁷ Because of this, brothers, in spite of all our trouble and distress, we were comforted over you—because of your trust; ⁸ so that now we are alive; since you continue to stand fast, united with the Lord. ⁹ Indeed, how can we thank God enough for you or express to our God all the joy we feel because of you?

While verse 8 is hyperbole, it strongly expresses the nature of Sha’ul’s emotional connection to his converts. His very life depends on their perseverance in the faith.

¹⁰ Night and day, we pray as hard as we can that we will be able to see you face to face and supply whatever shortcomings there may be in your trust. ^[1]

In our next post, we will continue to explore Shaul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians beginning in 1 Thess. 3:11.

Click here for the PDF version

^[1] 1 Thessalonians 3:1–10.