1 Thessalonians 3
Common English Bible
3 So when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it was a good idea to stay on in Athens by ourselves, 2 and we sent you Timothy, who is our brother and God’s coworker in the good news about Christ. We sent him to strengthen and encourage you in your faithfulness. 3 We didn’t want any of you to be shaken by these problems. You know very well that we were meant to go through this. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept on predicting that we were going to face problems exactly like what happened, as you know. 5 That’s why I sent Timothy to find out about your faithfulness when I couldn’t stand it anymore. I was worried that the tempter might have tempted you so that our work would have been a waste of time.
Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians
6 Now Timothy has returned to us from you and has given us good news about your faithfulness and love! He says that you always have good memories about us and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you. 7 Because of this, brothers and sisters, we were encouraged in all our distress and trouble through your faithfulness. 8 For now we are alive if you are standing your ground in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you, given all the joy we have because of you before our God? 10 Night and day, we pray more than ever to see all of you in person and to complete whatever you still need for your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus guide us on our way back to you. 12 May the Lord cause you to increase and enrich your love for each other and for everyone in the same way as we also love you. 13 May the love cause your hearts to be strengthened, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his people. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 3
Expanded Bible
3 When we could ·not wait any [endure it no] longer, we decided it was best to stay in Athens alone 2 and send Timothy to you. Timothy, our brother, ·works with us [is our coworker] for God ·and helps us tell people the Good News about [L in the Gospel of] Christ. We sent him to strengthen and ·encourage [comfort; or exhort] you in your faith 3 so none of you would be ·upset [disturbed; shaken] by these ·troubles [trials]. [L For] You yourselves know that we ·must face these troubles [L are destined/appointed for this]. 4 [L For] Even when we were with you, we told you [L in advance] we all would have to ·suffer [be persecuted; suffer hardship/affliction], and you know it has happened. 5 Because of this, when I could ·wait [endure it] no longer, I sent Timothy to you so I could learn about your faith. I was afraid ·the devil [L the tempter] had tempted you, and perhaps our hard work would have been ·wasted [in vain; for nothing].
6 But Timothy now has come back to us from you and has brought us good news about your faith and love. He told us that you always remember us in a good way and that you ·want [long] to see us just as much as we ·want [long] to see you. 7 So, brothers and sisters, ·while we have much [L in all of our] ·trouble [distress] and ·suffering [trials; persecution], we are ·encouraged [comforted; reassured] about you because of your faith. 8 ·Our life is really full [L For now we live/are alive (again)] ·if you stand [since you are standing] ·strong [firm; fast] in the Lord. 9 ·We cannot thank God enough [L For what thanks can we give to God…?] for all the joy we feel ·in God’s presence [before our God] because of you. 10 Night and day we continue praying ·with all our heart [most earnestly] that we can see you again and ·give you all the things you need [L strengthen/supply what is lacking] to make your faith strong.
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus ·prepare [clear; direct] the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love grow more and ·multiply [abound; overflow] for each other and for all people ·so that you will love others as we love you [or just as our love abounds for you]. 13 ·May your hearts [L …so that your hearts may] be made strong so that you will be holy and ·without fault [blameless] before our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his ·holy ones [T saints; or holy angels].
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The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.