Bible Commentaries

1 Thessalonians 3:1. διὸ μηκέτι στέγοντες, wherefore no longer being able to forbear) This is resumed at 1 Thessalonians 3:5, as if after a parenthesis.— μόνοι, alone) Observe how highly Timothy was esteemed, since at Timothy’s departure Paul and Silas seemed to themselves to be alone, inasmuch as in a city altogether estranged from God. Comp. Ord. temp., p. 278 [Ed. 2, p. 239].

1 Thessalonians 3:2. ἐπέμψαμεν, we sent) I and Sylvanus sent.

1 Thessalonians 3:3. σαίνεσθαι) [that no man should be moved,—seduced and cajoled out of his faith]: σαίνω from σέω, to move. Eustathius shows, that it is properly applied to dogs, when they fawn by wagging the tail;¹¹ by metaphor εἰς τοὺς ὑπούλοις καὶ κολακικοὺς, applied to those that are deceitful at heart and prone to flatter; and this is obviously the idea here. For in afflictions, relatives and opponents, and the heart itself, mingle their flatteries, and when these are overcome, believers are confirmed.— ταὺταις, in these (present) afflictions) The present time.— κείμεθα, we lie, i.e. are set, are appointed unto this) An argument from our calling: comp. ch. 1 Thessalonians 5:9, God ἔθετο, hath appointed us.

1 Thessalonians 3:5. ὁ πειράζων, the tempter) i.e. Satan, ch. 1 Thessalonians 2:18. The expression contains an Euphemism. Often this enemy is near [lurks underneath] when one would not think that he is. Comp. at Matthew 4:3.

1 Thessalonians 3:6. ἄρτι, now) Immediately after the arrival of Timothy, he writes these things with fresh joy and the most tender affection. Consonant with this is the εὐαγγελισαμένου, a striking participle.— ἐπιποθοῦντες, desiring greatly [having a yearning desire]) This is the sign of a good conscience.

1 Thessalonians 3:7. διὰ τῆς— πίστεως, by—faith) Construe this with παρεκλήθημεν, we were comforted.

1 Thessalonians 3:8. νῦν ζῶμεν, now we live) now we feel that we are alive. The form of testifying the highest joy; comp. Psalms 63:4.

1 Thessalonians 3:10. νυκτὸς, night) Alluding to his holy thoughts during the night, 2 Timothy 1:3.— τὰ ὑστερήματα, the things which are wanting) [the deficiency, that which is lacking]. Even the Thessalonians had points in which they were in need of improvement.

1 Thessalonians 3:11. αὐτὸς, Himself) Both epistles to the Thessalonians have almost all the several chapters singly sealed and distinguished by single breathings of prayer [each chapter sealed with its own prayer], ch. 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:5; 2 Thessalonians 3:16.— ἰησοῦς, Jesus) Prayers and vows are also addressed to Jesus Christ; for the word κατευθύναι, direct, extends both to Him [as the subject] and to the Father: comp. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.

1 Thessalonians 3:12. ὑμᾶς, you) whether we come or not.— πλεονάσαι καὶ περισσεύσαη) On the difference between these two words, comp. 2 Corinthians 4:15, note.¹²— καὶ ἡμεῖς, even we) namely, even as we are full of love [towards you].

1 Thessalonians 3:13. ΄ετὰ, with) Construe with ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ, at the coming; comp. 2 Thessalonians 1:7.— πάντων τῶν ἁγίων, with all the saints) This phrase comprehends angels and the elect of the earth.— αὐτοῦ, His) Christ’s, Acts 9:13.

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