1 Thessalonians

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1 Thessalonians 3

King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context

About this chapter

AI-assisted, sourced

When Paul could wait no longer, he stayed at Athens and sent Timothy to establish and comfort the Thessalonians, so that no one would be moved by afflictions. Timothy came back with "good tidings of your faith and charity," and Paul writes, "now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord." He prays to see them again and that the Lord will make them "abound in love" and establish their hearts "unblameable in holiness... at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 3:11 Thessalonians 3:21 Thessalonians 3:31 Thessalonians 3:51 Thessalonians 3:61 Thessalonians 3:81 Thessalonians 3:101 Thessalonians 3:121 Thessalonians 3:131 Thessalonians overview

Who, where, when, and the key verses

Who

Paul, who sent "Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God," and the Thessalonian believers. 1 Thessalonians 3:21 Thessalonians 3:51 Thessalonians 3:61 Thessalonians overview

Where

Paul was "left at Athens alone" and sent Timothy to Thessalonica. 1 Thessalonians 3:11 Thessalonians 3:2Athens1 Thessalonians overview

When

Shortly after Timothy returned with his report. Traditionally about AD 50-51, during Paul's second missionary journey, soon after the church was founded. Nearly all scholars accept that Paul wrote it, and many count it his earliest surviving letter. 1 Thessalonians 3:61 Thessalonians overview

How it fits

Chapter 2 ended with Paul's longing to see them and "Satan hindered us"; here he sends Timothy instead. Chapter 4 begins the letter's instructions on how "ye ought to walk and to please God." 1 Thessalonians 2:171 Thessalonians 2:181 Thessalonians 3:11 Thessalonians 3:21 Thessalonians 4:1

Key verses

Takeaway

Affliction is to be expected, so stand fast in the Lord, and pray that love will grow and hearts be made holy before the Lord comes. 1 Thessalonians 3:31 Thessalonians 3:81 Thessalonians 3:121 Thessalonians 3:13

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-29.

Timothy sent to strengthen them

1Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; 2And 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: 3That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 4For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. 5For 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.

Timothy's good report

6But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: 7Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: 8For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 9For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 10Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

A prayer for love and holiness

11Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. 12And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: 13To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.