1Therefore, enduring no longer, we decided to be left behind in Athens alone, [3:2] and we sent Timothy — our brother and co-worker of God in the good news of Christ — to strengthen you and to exhort you concerning your faith, [3:3] so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed for this. [3:4] For even when we were with you, we were telling you beforehand that we are about to suffer affliction — just as also it came to pass, as you know. [3:5] For this reason, when I also could endure no longer, I sent to know your faith — lest somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would have come to nothing.
1TH 3:1-5
Timothyʼs Visit
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Greco-Roman world, the sending of Timothy by Paul reflects the cultural practice of trusted emissaries acting as extensions of their sender’s authority and presence. Timothy, described as a 'brother,' 'servant,' and 'fellow worker,' embodies roles deeply rooted in the honor-shame economy and patronage systems of the time. As a 'fellow worker' , Timothy shares in the labor and responsibility of the gospel mission, a partnership valued in both Jewish and Roman contexts. Paul’s concern for the Thessalonians’ faith amid tribulations aligns with the Stoic emphasis on endurance in adversity, a virtue also prized in Jewish apocalyptic thought. The mention of suffering as a destined reality echoes Jewish martyrdom traditions and Roman expectations of loyalty under persecution. Paul’s urgency to 'know the faith' of the Thessalonians reflects a pastoral concern typical of early Christian communities, where communal stability was vital in the face of external pressures and internal doubts.
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How other translations render this
1TH 3:1
- KJV
- Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
- BSB
- So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens.
- Koinōnos
- Therefore, enduring no longer, we decided to be left behind in Athens alone,
1TH 3:2
- KJV
- And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
- BSB
- We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
- Koinōnos
- and we sent Timothy — our brother and co-worker of God in the good news of Christ — to strengthen you and to exhort you concerning your faith,
1TH 3:3
- KJV
- That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
- BSB
- so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.
- Koinōnos
- so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed for this.
1TH 3:4
- KJV
- For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
- BSB
- Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.
- Koinōnos
- For even when we were with you, we were telling you beforehand that we are about to suffer affliction — just as also it came to pass, as you know.
1TH 3:5
- KJV
- For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
- BSB
- For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and that our labor might have been in vain.
- Koinōnos
- For this reason, when I also could endure no longer, I sent to know your faith — lest somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would have come to nothing.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1TH 3:1
- enduring:The word translated 'enduring' here implies covering or holding up against something, like a roof holding back rain, suggesting a capacity to bear up under pressure without collapsing.
1TH 3:2
- servant:The term used here for 'servant' literally means a 'fellow worker' or 'co-worker,' emphasizing a partnership in labor rather than a hierarchical master-servant relationship.
1TH 3:3
- to be moved:The word translated 'to be moved' originally referred to a dog wagging its tail or fawning, and by extension, to being flattered or swayed, suggesting an emotional or psychological agitation rather than just physical movement.
1TH 3:5
- tempting:The word translated 'tempting' carries the dual sense of both testing with a good intention (to prove or refine) and tempting with a bad intention (to entice to sin), and the context determines which meaning is primary.