Interés de Pablo por sus hijos en la fe

Por lo cual, no pudiendo soportarlo más(A), pensamos que era mejor quedarnos solos en Atenas(B), y enviamos a Timoteo(C), nuestro hermano y colaborador de Dios[a] en el evangelio de Cristo, para fortaleceros y alentaros respecto a vuestra fe; a fin de que nadie se inquiete[b] por causa de estas aflicciones, porque vosotros mismos sabéis que para esto hemos sido destinados(D). Porque en verdad, cuando estábamos con vosotros os predecíamos que íbamos a sufrir aflicción, y así[c] ha acontecido(E), como[d] sabéis. Por eso también yo, cuando ya no pude soportar más(F), envié para informarme de[e] vuestra fe(G), por temor a que el tentador os hubiera tentado(H) y que nuestro trabajo resultara en vano(I). Pero ahora Timoteo ha regresado[f](J) de vosotros a nosotros, y nos ha traído buenas noticias de vuestra fe y amor(K) y de que siempre tenéis buen recuerdo de nosotros(L), añorando vernos, como también nosotros a vosotros; por eso, hermanos, en toda nuestra necesidad y aflicción fuimos consolados respecto a vosotros por medio de vuestra fe; porque ahora sí que vivimos, si vosotros estáis firmes(M) en el Señor. Pues ¿qué acción de gracias podemos dar a Dios por vosotros(N), por todo el gozo con que nos regocijamos delante de nuestro Dios a causa de vosotros, 10 según oramos intensamente de noche y de día(O) que podamos ver vuestro rostro(P) y que completemos lo que falta(Q) a vuestra fe?

Exhortación a la santidad

11 Ahora, pues, que el mismo Dios(R) y Padre nuestro, y Jesús nuestro Señor(S), dirijan nuestro camino(T) a vosotros; 12 y que el Señor os haga crecer y abundar en amor unos para con otros(U), y para con todos, como también nosotros lo hacemos para con vosotros; 13 a fin de que Él afirme vuestros corazones(V) irreprensibles en santidad(W) delante de nuestro Dios y Padre(X), en la venida[g] de nuestro Señor Jesús(Y) con todos sus santos(Z).

Footnotes

  1. 1 Tesalonicenses 3:2 Algunos mss. dicen: servidor de Dios y colaborador nuestro
  2. 1 Tesalonicenses 3:3 O, se engañe
  3. 1 Tesalonicenses 3:4 Lit., tal como
  4. 1 Tesalonicenses 3:4 Lit., y
  5. 1 Tesalonicenses 3:5 O, para saber de, o, confirmar
  6. 1 Tesalonicenses 3:6 Lit., venido
  7. 1 Tesalonicenses 3:13 O, presencia

So when we could stand it no longer,(A) we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.(B) We sent Timothy,(C) who is our brother and co-worker(D) in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ,(E) to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.(F) For you know quite well that we are destined for them.(G) In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.(H) For this reason, when I could stand it no longer,(I) I sent to find out about your faith.(J) I was afraid that in some way the tempter(K) had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.(L)

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

But Timothy(M) has just now come to us from you(N) and has brought good news about your faith and love.(O) He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.(P) Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm(Q) in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you(R) in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?(S) 10 Night and day we pray(T) most earnestly that we may see you again(U) and supply what is lacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Father(V) himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other(W) and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless(X) and holy in the presence of our God and Father(Y) when our Lord Jesus comes(Z) with all his holy ones.(AA)

Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.