Bible Commentaries
John Dummelow's Commentary
1 Thessalonians 3
The Apostle's Anxiety about his Converts
1. Forbear] better, 'endure the suspense.'
2. Our fellow-labourer] better, 'God's fellow-worker' or 'minister,' RV.
3. Should be moved] better, 'led astray.' Afflictions] at the hands of Jews and Gentiles: see Acts 17:5.
6. Now when] better, 'as soon as.' Charity] RV 'love.'
8. We live] it puts new life in us. If ye stand fast] better, 'if only ye stand fast.' The Gk. expresses some doubt and anxiety.
10. 'I pray unceasingly and urgently to the end that I may see you again and correct your shortcomings.' The prayer was answered after some years (Acts 20:1-2).
11-13. A prayer to Christ as co-equal with the Father, with which the first section of the Epistle ends: cp. 2 Thessalonians 2:16.
11. The verb is in the singular, emphasising the reference to Christ, who is also called 'the Lord' in 1 Thessalonians 3:12. The keynote of these Epistles is again struck at the concluding words of the prayer, 'at the coming' (lit. 'presence') 'of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints' (cp. 1 Thessalonians 2:19).
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