1 Thessalonians 3

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

1So we could not wait any longer for news about you. We decided to stay behind in the city of Athens by ourselves.

2And 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:

2We sent Timothy to you. He is our brother, and he serves God with us. He helps us tell the good news about Christ. We sent him to make you strong and to cheer you up in your trust in God.

3That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

3We did not want anyone to be shaken by these hard times. You know that hard times are part of what God has planned for us.

4For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

4When we were with you, we told you ahead of time. We said that people would treat us badly. That is just what happened, and you know it.

5For 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.

5That is why I could not wait any longer. I sent Timothy to find out if you still trusted God. I was afraid the tempter had pulled you away. The tempter is the one who tries to get people to do wrong. Then all our hard work would have been for nothing.

6But 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:

6But now Timothy has come back to us from you. He brought us happy news about your trust in God and your love. He said you always remember us in a kind way. He said you want very much to see us. We want to see you too.

NoteThe King James Bible says "charity" here. In 1611 that word simply meant love. It did not mean giving money to the poor.

7Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

7So, brothers and sisters, your trust in God made us feel better. Even in all our troubles and pain, we were cheered up because of you.

8For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

8Now we really feel alive, because you are standing strong in the Lord.

Note"Now we live" does not mean Paul was almost dead. It is his way of saying that good news about them made him feel alive again.

9For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

9How can we ever thank God enough for you? We are so glad about you when we stand before our God.

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

10Night and day we pray as hard as we can. We ask to see you face to face. We want to fill in what is still missing in your trust in God.

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

11Now we ask God our Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, to open the way for us to come to you.

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

12We ask the Lord to make your love grow big and spill over. Love each other, and love everyone else too. That is the way we love you.

13To 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.

13Then God will make your hearts strong. You will belong to him, and no one will be able to blame you. You will stand before God our Father. This will happen when our Lord Jesus Christ comes with all his holy people.

NoteThe King James Bible says "saints" here. The word means God's holy people, not only a few special people.