1 Thessalonians 3

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 (NKJV) 1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2and 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, 3that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5For 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. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— 7therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith? 11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 12And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

In verses 1-10 Paul writes of his desire to see the converts he left at Thessalonica. He is relieved when Timothy brings back word that not only are they growing in their faith – but that their loves abounds. Here we see a human side of Paul – his pastoral side – caring for the flock. We also see that Paul graciously refers to Timothy as a fellow brother and minister of God not just as his student minister. 3:13 The apostle’s desire is to see them standing fast in holiness when the Lord returns to examine them. The form of the word “holiness” (hagiosune, Gk.) emphasizes not an act of holiness but the state or condition of holiness. God’s will is that our lives be characterized in every area by Christlikeness. This includes both attitudes and actions. “The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” provides incentive to holiness. Paul’s statement that all of God’s people will be together at the return of Christ reflects a concern about the status of God’s people at the rapture of the church. Perhaps some taught that the dead in Christ would be absent from this event. Paul will answer this question when he addresses it more fully in 4:13–18. Believer’s Study Bible

WORD WEALTH 3:13 holiness, hagiosune (hag-ee-ah-soo-nay); Strong’s #42: The process, quality, and condition of a holy disposition and the quality of holiness in personal conduct. It is the principle that separates the believer from the world. Hagiosune consecrates us to God’s service both in soul and in body, finding fulfillment in moral dedication and a life committed to purity. It causes every component of our character to stand God’s inspection and meet His approval. Spirit filled life study Bible 3:12 The Thessalonians had actually been commendable in manifesting true Christian love, but there is always room for development. And so he prays for a deeper measure: may the Lord make you increase and abound in love. Their love should embrace their

fellow believers and all men, including their enemies. Its model or pattern should be the love of the apostles: just as we do to you. 3:13 The result of love in this life is blamelessness in the next. If we love one another and all mankind, we will stand blameless in holiness before our God when Christ comes with all His saints, for love is the fulfilling of the law (Rom. 13:8; Jas. 2:8). Believer's Bible Commentary We see in the last few verses that the motivation for being holy is the soon coming of our Lord. Rather than addressing the rapture as some escapist “fire insurance”, Paul sees it as motivation for staying ready because Jesus could return at any moment (imminence). If Jesus did not return until the middle or end of the Tribulation, there would be no need to be constantly on guard or even to look for His appearing – we would be able to figure it out by the appearance of the antichrist and the signing of the seven year treaty with Israel for peace. Get holy and stay holy – Jesus could return at any moment!!