A Commentary on 1 Thessalonians

Chapter 3

The New Testament letters may have been written during several days or even weeks. Verse 6 speaks as though Timothy has just come back to Paul at Corinth with good news about what is happening at Salonika. Paul starts to write again. The note of worry has gone out of what Paul writes and he breaks out in praise to God. (verse 9).

Then in verse 10 we have an interesting case of a prayer that is not answered. Paul prays to go back to Salonika to minister there again. As far as we know, he never did. But really I think he prays that the young church may be given the ministry it needs to build it up and make it strong. God does not always give us what we ask for: often He gives us something better. Often when we pray we do not ask God for what we really want. We only tell Him how we think He can give us what we want. Paul spent about a year and a half in Corinth, much longer than he was in Salonika and he built up a large church there. Later it caused him much trouble.

Verses 11-13 Paul’s Prayer.

In verse 11 Paul's prayer moves on to what he wants to happen in Salonika. He wants the Lord to make the Christians rise up in their love. He wants each of them to be so full of love that it flows over to one another and to people who are not in the church. Love at work will bring about a holy heart. (verse 13). God is our Father: He looks at our hearts. If they are pure and holy, He sees. Men do not. In Chapter 1:10, Paul tells us that Jesus will come again and rescue us. In Chapter 2: 19, Paul tells us that when He comes again, Jesus will give a reward for faithful service. Now here in Chapter 3: 13, we read that Jesus will come with all His holy ones. So we need to become holy now, because we want to meet Jesus, and He is holier than them all! (See 1 John 3: 3.)