Paul did not want to be left alone in the very worldly and idolatrous city of Athens, but at the same time, he knew for the good of the work in Thessalonica it was necessary to send Timothy to see how the work was progressing. The word translated 'forebear' can mean 'to overlook' or 'to suffer.' Paul could not endure the pain any longer, he had to know something from Thessalonica. So in spite of remaining in Athens by himself, he was willing to endure the pain to hear how his brethren in Thessalonica were doing. After all Paul and his company had left Thessalonica under less than ideal circumstances. "He had left against his will and under pressure from his new Christian friends who feared for his life, and had gone to Berea. The Jews from Thessalonica followed him and stirred up trouble also in Berea. The Bereans, recently saved under his preaching sent Paul under escort out to the coast where he found a ship to Athens," writes Yeager (Vol. XV, p. 182).
2 Timothy was gifted and well-qualified as Paul's representative. Paul describes him as "brother...minister...fellow-worker." In sending young Timothy, Paul desires that he strengthen and encourage the church members. Timothy was God's fellow-worker --what a commendation! Just as the farmer works with God in agriculture, so Timothy worked with God in the Gospel. Timothy's task was for the purpose of buttressing or supporting the Thessalonian's faith. He came to encourage them with the view to the strengthening of their faith. Hendriksen says, "In view of fierce persecution and a sinister slander-campaign from without and also in view of the immature intellectual, moral and spiritual development of the Thessalonian believers, the mission of Timothy was altogether proper, though it meant a real sacrifice for those who were left behind at Athens" (p. 84). The Thessalonian church members needed to be established and comforted, lest under the pressure of persecution, they would backslide.
3 To be afflicted is the Christian's lot, fate has nothing to do with it; Acts 14:22 reads, "(Paul was) confirming the souls of the disciples (at Lystra, Iconium and Antioch) and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Behind the appointment lies the wisdom and love of God. In suffering we are encouraged to constant prayer and to dependence upon God. In fact, suffering is a part of the very process of living out the Christian life; we should not regard it as something strange and alien. Morris proposed the idea that the Thessalonian's persecution might be so strong that in order to escape it they would turn to Judaism and embrace it. Doubtless this would be an easy way out of their troubles (p. 101). Furthermore, the enemies of the faith do not always come at the Christian with a sword, they may come with flattery (like a dog wagging his tail before he bites). Those who could not be moved by threats have been swayed by the sincere but misguided entreaties of well-meaning friends. The devil is often more to be feared when he fawns, than when he roars (Hiebert, p. 139). The word, 'moved,' is from a word which means to 'to shake,' ' to sway back and forth' like a dog wagging his tail. "When persecutions are viewed by the child of God in this light, so far from causing Christians to turn away from the faith, should establish them in the faith, since it is the evidence that the regeneration experience was genuine. The devil and his children do not persecute their own kind," (Yeager, op.cit.p. 184).
4 Not only did our Lord teach His disciples that they would suffer because they were His followers - Paul did likewise; he wrote, "And if children, then heirs -- heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ -- if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:17). Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake" (Matthew 5:11). He also said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Paul implies that he had warned the Thessalonians of persecution and tribulation while he was yet with them. In fact, Robertson says of this verse, Paul stated that "we used to tell you beforehand." We do know that affliction produces experience, character and confidence. The Christian should not get side-tracked by the fact that persecution is sure to come his way.
5 A third reason for sending Timothy to Thessalonica was to inquire how they were "standing the strain," (J. B. Phillips). The words used here for 'tempter' and 'tempted' is the word 'to put to a test,' 'to examine by trial.' Of course, Paul has in mind the tempter Satan. Paul knew that Satan tries to weaken the Christian's faith during trials and persecutions. Certainly the circumstance of sending Timothy to the Thessalonians was distressing to Paul, but his motive was to relieve his own anxiety. Paul wanted to learn of the state of the Thessalonian's faith. What he found out was that he had not 'run in vain.' The tempter did not succeed with the Thessalonians; the tempter had not seduced the church members. The word 'vain' here means 'empty,' like a nut without a kernel or a tree without fruit.
7 Paul's life seemed to be bound up in every convert, and he frequently tells them he is encouraged and strengthened by them. Rutherford renders this verse, "We were altogether miserable and crushed; but your faith has recovered us" (Morris, p. 107). 'Affliction' or 'crushed' suggests pressure or 'a squeeze' possibly like grapes are squeezed to extract the juice; or like the afflictions that Joseph suffered down in Egypt (Acts 7:10).
8 The good news of the Thessalonian's welfare gave Paul a new lease on life. They were standing firm in the Lord. Furthermore, their trust, labor and hope because of what the Lord had done for them (that is; His passion, resurrection and ascension) and because their response to this had brought them into a relationship with Paul. They stand firm in a relationship to the Lord. "(Paul) expresses a wish to live no longer if the results of his ministry are not lasting, since it is only for Christ that he wishes to live (Philippians 1:21). Any God-called preacher of the gospel of Christ should be able to identify with Paul in this" (Yeager, Vol. XV, p. 189).
9, 10 Paul gives thanks to God again; however, since it is framed as a question, he shows his realization that any Thanksgiving he can offer is inadequate. He also recognizes that the Thessalonians are what they are by the grace of God. "Thanksgiving is the only 'repayment' to God which can match the scale of His giving. Paul found that he could not make his Thanksgiving 'big enough' " writes Ward, p. 88. Ward also cites this verse as a paradox - "Timothy worked; the Thessalonians continued to exercise faith and love and thereby inspired joy; but God, not the church, was to be thanked" (op.cit.). Yeager writes, "Paul's delight to learn from Timothy that the Thessalonians were growing in grace and thus that his efforts among them were not in without fruit, has heightened his desire to visit them again in order to remedy, by Christian Education the areas in their theological understanding that were still deficient. Once the sinner is regenerated, spiritual growth depends upon Christian Education, a service which Paul was most able to provide" (op.cit.p.191).
Not only did Paul labor night and day; he also prayed night and day as well; that is, he prayed continually. Paul uses the word 'perfect' here with the idea of supplying, restoring or equipping them, like a fisherman repairs his nets or like a skilled surgeon sets the bones of his patient. Paul wanted his converts to become complete, whole, mature Christians. (Stott) Throughout this chapter Paul has come back to their faith again and again (verses 1,5,6,7,10). One translation has it - "What is lacking" is a rendering of a plural noun from a root meaning 'to come behind' - a deficiency either materially or spiritually. As a true pastor he realized that there was much that had to be done for them.
12, 13 Paul, furthermore, prays that the Thessalonian's love will increase toward their fellow
church members and overflow unto the whole human race just as (Paul's love) does for (them).
Paul had great ambitions for his converts. They had reached a high standard, but Paul inspired
them 'more and more.' Paul 'pressed on;' he was dynamic, never a static personality. The word
'abound' here is like an ocean of love, being full and reaching to the top edge of its borders
round about; overflow so that it reaches not only fellow Christians but even to outsiders. "There
is no greater stimulus to holiness than the vision of the Parousia, when Jesus comes in glory with
His holy ones," writes Stott (p. 67). Stott also points out that Paul is a shining example of the
Christian ministry today; his first commitment was to the Word of God (as a steward guarding
the word and as a herald of it) and, secondly, to the people of God (as their mother and father,)
to love, nurture and teach them.