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Various Proofs of Paul's Love for the Thessalonians
He sent Timothy to them as his representative:
v. 1. Wherefore, when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
v. 2. and sent Timotheus, our brother and minister of God and our fellow-laborer in the Gospel of Christ, to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith,
v. 3. that no man should be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that we are appointed there unto.
v. 4. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass and ye know.
Paul had protested his love for the Thessalonian Christians in the strongest terms, stating also that he had tried time and again to visit them, but had been prevented from carrying out his intention. So he had done the next best thing: Wherefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought best to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and servant of God in the Gospel of Christ, to give you strength and consolation in behalf of your faith. The longer Paul had been separated from the Thessalonian congregation, the more unendurable this separation became to him. He felt that he must get into communication with them in some way. Although he shrank from loneliness, therefore, especially where there was little or no Christian fellowship, he disregarded his own comfort and peace of mind. No sooner had Timothy (and Silas) joined him at Athens, where he had waited for them, Act_17:15, than he commissioned Timothy to return to Thessalonica. Or Paul may have countermanded the order sent to Timothy by the Berean Christians and sent him word to proceed to Thessalonica first, before joining him in Achaia, Act_18:5. He preferred to bear a certain amount of personal inconvenience to the continuation of the anxiety in behalf of his beloved pupils. As usual, Paul cannot refrain from adding a few commendatory words regarding Timothy, designating him as his brother in Christ and as a servant of God in the Gospel of Christ. These were no mere titles of honor, but were intended to show the Thessalonians how much the apostle thought of them in being willing to be deprived of the company of such a highly esteemed and unusually able helper. At the same time, Timothy, having such qualifications, was able also to strengthen the Thessalonian Christians, to confirm them, to offer them the necessary encouragement and comfort with reference to their faith. It was not that he expresses any distrust of them with regard to the soundness of their faith, but he is aware of the many dangers that surround the Christians at all times,
Of these dangers he says: That no one should be disturbed in these troubles; for yourselves know that we are destined to that end; for also when I was with you, I spoke of this to you in advance, that we must endure afflictions, just as it happened and you know, Even after the departure of Paul the Thessalonian Christians had been harassed by their own countrymen, chap. 2:14. Lest, therefore, they be disturbed in their faith on account of these troubles, lest anyone should apostatize from Christianity, Timothy had been commissioned to dispense strength and cheer to their hearts. As for the Thessalonians themselves, Paul reminds them that troubles of this kind are the fate of the Christians; it is what they must expect by reason of their calling; it is a part of the cross which their Lord expects them to bear, Mat_5:10-12; Mat_10:21; Joh_15:18; Act_14:22. Paul reminds them also of the fact that he, indeed, had during his stay with them told them of this in advance that it is a part of God's purpose with regard to His children that they must suffer affliction. The fact, then, that this prediction was being fulfilled should cause them no surprise. It happened so to them, and it happened so to him, and the Christian should be satisfied with his lot, with the cross which he must bear according to God's will. All this is a part of Christian knowledge, the Gospel winning believers in spite of this undisguised forewarning. Note: The Christians of the present time are inclined somewhat to shirk the bearing of tribulations by equivocating when they should really make a clear confession of their faith in word and deed. It is to be feared that many cases of denial of the Lord grow out of such behavior.