1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

New International Version

3 So when we could stand it no longer,^(A) we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.^(B) ²We 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, ³so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.^(F) For you know quite well that we are destined for them.^(G) ⁴In 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) ⁵For 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)

Read full chapter

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

New American Standard Bible

Encouragement of Timothy’s Visit

3 Therefore, ^(A)when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to be left behind, alone at ^(B)Athens, ²and we sent ^(C)Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the benefit of your faith, ³so that no one would be ^[a]disturbed by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that ^(D)we have been destined for this. ⁴For even when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; ^[b]^(E)and so it happened, ^[c]as you know. ⁵For this reason, ^(F)when I could no longer endure it, I also ^(G)sent to ^[d]find out about your faith, for fear that ^(H)the tempter might have tempted you, and ^(I)our labor would be for nothing.