1 Thessalonians - Chapter 3
In Chapters 1 & 2 Paul had shown the true concern of a pastor. He was thankful for them, appreciated their testimony, and was encouraged by what he heard, loved them, and longed to be with them again. Now Paul will open his heart in a more specific way, revealing his concerns for them again as well as showing that his separation from them had caused him to feel even more intense concerning this beloved and faithful church.
In the first ten verses of chapter 3, Paul shows 7 elements that are found in a loving pastor’s heart.
1:10:
The pastor’s affection for his people:
In the end of chapter two, Paul had closed with the most positive sentence that said these believers were his glory and joy.
It seems Paul was becoming more intolerant of his separation from the church and therefore his lack of direct knowledge as to the events there. His love for these people was stronger than emotional attachment. He wanted to help these believers to fulfill God’s calling and to help them toward spiritual maturity.
The pastor’s sacrifice for his people:
Selfless love will always give itself away for its object. Now Paul advises the church that it seems best to send Timothy back to them. We should remember that Timothy was his most precious friend and fellow missionary. Here Paul calls him brother. Even though Timothy is so close to Paul, the sacrifice will be made to part with him and have him return to Thessalonica.
The pastor’s compassion for his people:
Compassion, born of love, motivated Paul to Send Timothy back to strengthen and encourage them concerning their faith. Paul feels so strongly that he makes the point on this issue, their faith, five times (verses 2, 5,6,7,10). Paul was worried that they may be disturbed or afflicted, knowing that Satan was surely working against this mission. Paul even reminds them that when he was with them he had warned them that affliction would come.
The pastor’s protectiveness toward his people:Paul wanted to protect his people by sending Timothy to help the church to weather the storms of faith and difficulty that suffering may bring. Timothy was to protect them from the spiritual attacks that Paul was sure would come upon the church.
Satan has three evil ways to attack those in a church:
First, he always wants to prevent people from belief.
Second, he then tries to destroy the initial interest and enthusiasm for the gospel.
Third, he seeks to weaken the faith of those who do not submit to the first two ways.
If Satan found success in this church, Paul’s work would have been in vain.
The pastor’s delight in his people:
When Timothy returned to Paul, who was now in Corinth, the report was so good and so positive that Paul called it “good news of your faith and love”. Timothy brought a four-part message to Paul:
He delivered the good news that their faith in Christ was genuine. Their hearts bore much spiritual fruit.
He told Paul of their authentic love for the Lord.
They always thought kindly of Paul and still cherished him as the true apostle of Jesus.
The people held Paul in such affection that they longed to see Paul again.
The pastor’s gratitude for his people:
All thanks for these wonderful things go to God. Paul rejoiced at the news and knew he had no means to repay the blessings granted.
The pastor’s intercession for his people:
Paul’s prayer for this church was constant and fervent, with prayers upward for them night and day and his hope was to complete anything that may be lacking in their faith, Notice how like Christ Paul has become as he is communicating the needs of the people to the Lord, and is working strongly on their behalf, interceding with God for them.
11-13:
Paul now provides his clear and direct prayer for the believers at the church of Thessalonica. Here in just three verses he seeks the will of God for the lives and faith of these true members of the Lord’s assembly.
Paul uses a different form for this prayer. Instead of using the normal second person manner, Paul changes the approach to use the first person, addressing Him by name in the petition, “our God and Father and Jesus our Lord”. We will see this form again in 5:23. The use of the word “our” states that there is a relationship deeply made between these believers and Paul. Paul’s use of the first two members of the trinity shows he considers them of one essence and they are equal in Paul’s heart.
Jesus used the same third person format when teaching the apostles to pray what we call the Lord’s Prayer as he told them to open the prayer with the beautiful words “Our Father”. In these opening words, Jesus clearly shows that He and His apostles are ONE. Paul follows perfectly.
Paul had three reasons for his prayer:
He prayed that God would grant the Thessalonians a perfecting faith.
He asked for a prospering love.
He asked for a purifying hope.
We see these same three purposes from Paul in 1 Cor 13:13.
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity”. (charity = love)
Paul focuses upon the heart in these verses because it is the seat of all human emotion, most importantly the love of the heart. If their hearts were pure, clean and righteous, they could withstand the work of the evil one, and physical temptations.
VERY IMPORTANT:
Notice the last portion of verse 13: “… the coming of the Lord Jesus with all his saints.” Paul is preparing the way for his explanation in our chapter four (there were no chapters or verses when written) that will bring the glory of the Rapture.
Rapture and reward are awaiting these believers who have turned their lives from idol worship to true belief in Jesus under the ministry of Paul, Silas & Timothy. This is the promise and the hope shared still today by all who are Christians in the Lord’s true church.