Bible Commentaries

When we could no longer forbear (μηκετι στεγοντες — mēketi stegontes). Στεγω — Stegō is old verb to cover from στεγη — stegē roof (Mark 2:4), to cover with silence, to conceal, to keep off, to endure as here and 1 Corinthians 9:12; 1 Corinthians 13:7. In the papyri in this sense (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary). Μηκετι — Mēketi usual negative with participle in the Koiné{[28928]}š rather than ουκετι — ouketi

We thought it good (ηυδοκησαμεν — ēudokēsamen). Either literary plural as in 1 Thessalonians 2:18 or Paul and Silas as more likely. If so, both Timothy and Silas came to Athens (Acts 17:15.), but Timothy was sent (we sent, επεμπσαμεν — epempsamen 1 Thessalonians 3:2) right back to Thessalonica and later Paul sent Silas on to Beroea or Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 2:5, I sent, επεμπσα — epempsa). Then both Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia to Corinth (Acts 18:5).

Alone (μονοι — monoi). Including Silas.

God‘s minister (diakonon tou theou). See note on Matthew 20:26 for this interesting word, here in general sense not technical sense of deacon. Some MSS. have fellow-worker (sunergon). Already apostle in 1 Thessalonians 2:7 and now brother, minister (and possibly fellow-worker).

That no man be moved (το μηδενα σαινεσται — to mēdena sainesthai). Epexegetical articular infinitive in accusative case of general reference. Σαινω — Sainō is old word to wag the tail, to flatter, beguile and this sense suits here (only N.T. example). The sense of “moved” or troubled or disheartened is from σιαινεσται — siainesthai the reading of F G and found in the papyri.

We are appointed (κειμετα — keimetha). Present middle, used here as passive of τιτημι — tithēmi We Christians are set hereunto (εις τουτο — eis touto) to be beguiled by tribulations. We must resist.

We told you beforehand (προελεγομεν υμιν — proelegomen humin). Imperfect active, we used to tell you beforehand. Old verb, rare in N.T. (only in Paul).

That we are to suffer persecution (οτι μελλομεν τλιβεσται — hoti mellomen thlibesthai). Μελλω — Mellō and present passive infinitive. Not mere prediction, but God‘s appointed will as it turned out in Thessalonica.

That I might know (εις το γνωναι — eis to gnōnai). Paul‘s common idiom (1 Thessalonians 3:2), εις το — eis to and the infinitive of purpose (second aorist ingressive active of γινωσκω — ginōskō come to know).

Lest by any means the tempter had tempted you (μη πως επειρασεν υμας ο πειραζων — mē pōs epeirasen humās ho peirazōn). Findlay takes this as a question with negative answer, but most likely negative final clause with μη πως — mē pōs about a past action with aorist indicative according to the classic idiom as in Galatians 2:2 (μη πωσεδραμον — mē pōṡ̇edramon) and Galatians 4:11 after verb of fearing (Robertson, Grammar, p. 988). It is a fear that the thing may turn out to be so about the past.

Should be (γενηται — genētai). Here the usual construction appears (aorist subjunctive with μη πως — mē pōs) about the future.

Even now (αρτι — arti). Just now, Timothy having come (ελτοντος Τιμοτεου — elthontos Timotheou genitive absolute). Why Silas is not named is not clear, unless he had come from Beroea or elsewhere in Macedonia.

Glad tidings of (ευαγγελισαμενου — euaggelisamenou). First aorist middle participle of the verb for evangelizing (gospelizing).

Good remembrance (μνειαν — mneian). Same word used by Paul 1 Thessalonians 1:2.

Longing to see us (επιποτουντες ημας ιδειν — epipothountes hēmās idein). Old and strong verb, επι — epi̇ directive, to long after. Mutual longing that pleased Paul (“we also you”).

Over you (επ υμιν — Ephesians' humin). Επι — Epi with the locative, the basis on which the “comfort” rests.

In (επι — epi). Locative case again with επι — epi

Distress (αναγκηι — anagkēi).

Physical necessity, common sense in late Greek, choking (αγχω ανγορ — agchōτλιπσισ τλιβω — angor), and crushing trouble (thlipsisthlibō).

If ye stand fast (εαν υμεις στηκετε — ean humeis stēkete). Condition of first class, εαν — ean and present active indicative (correct text, not στηκητε — stēkēte subj.) of στηκω — stēkō late form from perfect εστηκα — hestēka of ιστημι — histēmi to place.

Render again unto God (τωι τεωι ανταποδουναι — tōi theōi antapodounai). Second aorist active infinitive of double compound verb ανταποδιδωμι — anṫapodidōmi to give back (απο — apo) in return for (αντι — anti). Old verb rare in N.T., but again in 2 Thessalonians 1:6.

For you (περι υμων — peri humōn). Around (concerning) you, while in 1 Thessalonians 3:2 υπερ — huper (over is used for “concerning your faith.”

For (επι — epi). Basis again as cause or ground for the joy.

Wherewith we joy (ηι χαιρομεν — hēi chairomen). Probably cognate accusative ην — hēn with χαιρομεν — chairomen attracted to locative χαραι — charāi (Matthew 2:10).

Exceedingly (υπερεκπερισσου — huperekperissou). Double compound adverb, only in 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:13 (some MSS. ως — ̇ōs). Like piling Ossa on Pelion, περισσως — perissōs abundantly, εκ περισσου — ek perissou out of bounds, υπερεκπερισσου — huperekperissou more than out of bounds (overflowing all bounds).

And perfect (και καταρτισαι — kai katartisai). First aorist active articular infinitive of purpose (εις το ιδεινκαι — eis to ideiṅ̇kai) of καταρτιζω — katartizō to mend nets (Matthew 4:21) or men (Galatians 6:1) repair. Chiefly late.

That which is lacking in (τα υστερηματα — ta husterēmata). The shortcomings, the lacks or left-overs (Colossians 1:24). From υστερεω — hustereō (υστερον — husteron), to be late.

Our God and Father himself (αυτος ο τεος και πατηρ ημων — autos ho theos kai patēr hēmōn). Note one article with both substantives for one person.

And our Lord Jesus (και ο Κυριος ημων Ιησους — kai ho Kurios hēmōn Iēsous). Separate article here with Ιησους — Iēsous In Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1 only one article (not two) treating “our God and Saviour Jesus Christ” as one just like “our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” in 2 Peter 1:11; 2 Peter 2:20; 2 Peter 3:18.

Direct our way (κατευτυναι την οδον ημων — kateuthunai tēn hodon hēmōn). First aorist optative (acute accent on penult, not circumflex first aorist active infinitive) of κατευτυνω — kateuthunō old verb to make straight path. Singular verb also, though both God and Christ mentioned as subject (unity in the Godhead). Apart from μη γενοιτο — mē genoito (may it not come to pass) the optative in a wish of the third person is found in N.T. only in 1 Thessalonians 3:11, 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:5, 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Romans 15:5, Romans 15:13.

The Lord (ο Κυριος — ho Kurios). The Lord Jesus. Paul prays to Christ.

Make you to increase (υμας πλεονασαι — humas pleonasai). First aorist active optative (wish for future) of πλεοναζω — pleonazō late verb from πλεον — pleon (more), to superabound.

And abound (περισσευσαι — perisseusai). First aorist active optative (wish for future) of περισσευω — perisseuō from περισσος — perissos old verb, to be over (common in N.T.). It is hard to see much difference between the two verbs.

To the end he may stablish (εις το στηριχαι — eis to stērixai). Another example of εις — eis and the articular infinitive of purpose. Same idiom in 1 Thessalonians 3:2. From στηριζω — stērizō from στηριγχ — stērigx a support.

Unblameable (αμεμπτους — amemptous). Old compound adjective (α — a privative and verbal of μεμπομαι — memphomai to blame). Rare in N.T. Predicate position here. Second coming of Christ again.