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].
1 Thessalonians 3
Christian Standard Bible
Anxiety in Athens
3 Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens.(A) 2 And we sent Timothy,(B) our brother and God’s coworker[a] in the gospel of Christ,(C) to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.
Encouraged by Timothy
6 But now Timothy has come to us(D) from you and brought us good news about your faith and love. He reported that you always have good memories of us and that you long to see us, as we also long to see you.(E) 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction, we were encouraged about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand firm(F) in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy(G) we experience before our God because of you, 10 as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face(H) and to complete what is lacking in your faith?(I)
Prayer for the Church
11 Now may our God and Father(J) himself, and our Lord Jesus,(K) direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love(L) for one another(M) and for everyone, just as we do for you. 13 May he make your hearts blameless(N) in holiness(O) before our God and Father at the coming(P) of our Lord(Q) Jesus with all his saints. Amen.[b]
1 Thessalonians 3
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Anxiety in Athens
3 Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens.(A) 2 And we sent Timothy,(B) our brother and God’s coworker[a] in the gospel of Christ,(C) to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 so that no one will be shaken by these persecutions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to[b] this. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you previously that we were going to suffer persecution, and as you know, it happened. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.
Encouraged by Timothy
6 But now Timothy has come to us(D) from you and brought us good news about your faith and love and reported that you always have good memories of us, wanting to see us, as we also want to see you.(E) 7 Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand firm(F) in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy(G) we experience before our God because of you, 10 as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face(H) and to complete what is lacking in your faith?(I)
Prayer for the Church
11 Now may our God and Father(J) Himself, and our Lord Jesus,(K) direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love(L) for one another(M) and for everyone, just as we also do for you. 13 May He make your hearts blameless(N) in holiness(O) before our God and Father at the coming(P) of our Lord(Q) Jesus with all His saints. Amen.[c]
Footnotes
- 1 Thessalonians 3:2 Other mss read servant
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3 Or are destined for
- 1 Thessalonians 3:13 Other mss omit Amen.
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