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At the latter end of the foregoing chapter, St. Paul acquainted the Thessalonians with his desires and intentions to come once and again unto them, but was always providentially hindered. Now here he gives them to understand, that such was the fervour of his affection towards them, that although he could not come, yet he could not forbear to send to them, though he left himself alone, preferring their necessity before his own conveniency: When we could no longer forbear; that is, "When I could no longer satisfy myself without knowing your state and condition, I chose, though with much inconveniency to myself, rather to be left at Athens alone, in the midst of my afflictions and tribulations, than that you should be longer destitute of one to supply my absence, in order to your confirmation and comfort." See here a special instance of ministerial love and affection in St. Paul, preferring the church's good before his own comfort, and postponing his own conveniency to their necessity; though Timothy's company was very desireable, very necessary and useful for him, yet, he denies himself to serve them; We thought it good to be left at Athens alone.
Observe, 2. The person sent by him, Timothy, with his deserved character and commendation, a brother, that is, a Christian, a believer, a brother in Christ; a minister of God, that is a preacher of the gospel; his fellow-labourer, or one that joined heart and hand with him in the preaching of the gospel from place to place. See here, a special instance of St. Paul's apostolical care for the churches of Christ, when he could not visit them in person, he sends to them, not any one he could come at, but the fittest he could get, one who was most likely, through God's assistance and blessing, to carry on the work he was sent about: I sent you Timotheus my brother.
Observe, 3. The great end for which he was sent unto them; it was to confirm them, and to comfort them; to confirm them in the faith of Christ, and to comfort them under all their sufferings for the sake of Christ. The strongest faith needs confirmation and establishment; and it is the minister's duty, in trying times especially, to guard his people's faith upon the stability whereof their strength and safety doth depend.