1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 Lesson 393

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
Lesson 393

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Satan stopped us (2:18).

Timothy's good report (3:6-8) and Paul's prayer (3:11-13).

This lesson ends Paul's discussion on faith and Christians.

"His pressence."

By American painter Warner Sallman (1892-1968).

Who is -

Satan -
The name Satan means "adversary." Satan is a real figure, a fallen angel who roams the earth (Job 2:2) working against humanity (Ephesians 6:12). We first met Satan in the Old Testament, where he tested Job's faith (Job 1:6-12). In the New Testament, Jesus denounced Satan as "a murderer" and called him "the wicked one" (Matthew 13:19) who lives "not in the truth, because there is no truth in him... He is a liar" (John 8:44). Satan is the lord of evil, "the prince of this world" (John 12:31; 14:30), "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4). He is "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2), "the tempter" (1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5), and the enemy of mankind (Luke 22:31; 1 Peter 5:8). Satan convinced Judas to betray Jesus (John 13:26-27) and constantly strives to get the better of us (2 Corinthians 2:11). You can read how Satan tempted Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11.

Study Tip:

It helps to study more than one Bible translation.
Scroll back and forth between the "King James Version" and the "New Living Translation" below.
Also, check the margin notes in blue and click on the links.

The First Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Thessalonians

The King James Bible

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
Paul misses the Thessalonians

17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

20 For ye are our glory and joy.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
Encouraging report

1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

2 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:

3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

4 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.

5 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.

6 But 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:

7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, 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 do toward you:

13 To 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.

Margin notes:

"We, brethren, being taken from you... in presence, not in heart" (2:17) - An angry mob drove Paul out of Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-10). He was no longer with the Thessalonians physically, but they were in his heart.

"Endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire." (2:17) - Paul tried hard to return to the Thessalonians.

"Even I Paul." (2:18) - Paul had already sent Timothy and Silas to Thessalonica to see how the church was faring. Now, he wanted to go and prayed "night and day" (3:10-11) that he could return.

"Once and again; but Satan hindered us." (2:18) - "Again and again; but Satan stopped us."  Paul tried at least twice to return to Thessalonica. But men, serving as Satan's tools, prevented him.

"Jesus Christ at his coming." (2:19) - Refers to the Second Coming of Christ.

"We could no longer forbear." (3:1) - "We could no longer bear it."

"Athens." (3:1) - The Greek city of philosophers, statesmen, and playwrights such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Pericles, Demosthenes, Sophocles, and Euripides. In Paul's time, Rome ruled Athens, and its glory had faded. But Athens was still the center of art, science, philosophy, and literature.  The city was home to numerous universities, and students from around the ancient world came to study. But Greek culture was awash in idolatry. The city even got its name from the pagan goddess Athene. Unlike other cities, Paul could not establish a church in Athens.

"No man should be moved by these afflictions." (3:3) - "No man should be upset by these trials."  Persecution or life's trials should not shake faith. Faith steadies the Christian, and develops patience, experience, and eternal hope (Romans 5:3-4).

"For yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto." (3:3) - Every Christian suffers "afflictions" or "persecution" in their life (2 Timothy 3:12). Faith doesn't prevent trouble, but helps the believer get past it.

"For verily." (3:4) - "For truly."

"When I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith." (3:5) - Because of his love and concern for the Thessalonians, Paul sent Timothy to check on them and their church.

"The tempter." (3:5) - Satan (1 Corinthians 7:5), who even tried to tempt Christ (Matthew 4:1-11).

"Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity." (3:6) - "Timothy returned from Thessalonica and brought good news of your faith and love."

"All our affliction and distress." (3:7) - "All our trials and suffering."

"Perfect that which is lacking in your faith." (3:10) - "Supply what is lacking in your faith." Paul hoped to return to Thessalonica and resume teaching the new believers.  Remember, he was run out of Thessalonica before he could finish.

"Direct our way unto you." (3:11) - Paul is praying that God will allow him and his group to return to Thessalonica.

"The coming of our Lord." (3:13) - A reference to the Second Coming of Jesus.

"Saints." (3:13) - "Believers."

Read Hebrews 11:1-40 to learn more about faith.

New Living Translation

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
Timothy's Good Report about the Church

17 Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again.

18 We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us.

19 After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you!

20 Yes, you are our pride and joy.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

1 Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens,

2 and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God's co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith,

3 and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles.

4 Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come-and they did, as you well know.

5 That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless.

6 But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you.

7 So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith.

8 It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.

9 How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God's presence.

10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.

11 May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon.

12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.

13 May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. What "afflictions" did the Thessalonians endure (3:3)?

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Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. "Jews who were antagonistic to the gospel apparently enlisted the help of some Gentiles who imprisoned and beat those Gentiles who had followed Paul's teachings (2:14)."

(The "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 1696)

Application thought for the day:

Who have you introduced to Christ?
Who will be your "glory and joy" (2:19-20) on judgment day?

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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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