1 Thessalonians 3

Anxiety in Athens

1 Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens. 2 And we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 so that no one will be shaken by these persecutions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you previously that we were going to suffer persecution, and as you know, it happened.

5 For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent [him] to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.

Encouraged by Timothy

6 But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love and [reported] that you always have good memories of us, wanting to see us, as we also want to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you,

10 as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?

Prayer for the Church

11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you.

13 May He make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 3

1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone;2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s minister in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;3 that no man be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that hereunto we are appointed.4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction; even as it came to pass, and ye know.5 For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.6 But when Timothy came even now unto us from you, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, even as we also to see you;7 for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith:8 for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.9 For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you:12 and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you;13 to the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.