1 Thessalonians 3:1-10
Twice Satan had prevented Paul from returning to Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 2:18). God had allowed this so that the apostle’s affection as well as the faithfulness of the Thessalonians might be manifested. Making use of another weapon, "the tempter" (v. 5) had then stirred up great troubles against them. Now Paul had warned them that, not only were these trials inevitable, but the Thessalonians were "appointed thereunto" (v. 3; John 15:20; John 16:33). Was he then unconcerned about it? Quite the opposite! What he was concerned about was not the tribulations of the Thessalonians but the steadfastness of their faith (vv. 2, 5, 6, 7, 10). This is a lesson for us who easily give up because of outward circumstances: material difficulties, illness, etc., and lose sight of the inward state of the Christian! Unable to stand it any longer (vv. 1, 5), the apostle had sent Timothy to strengthen them and encourage them. Paul had been comforted, and even filled with joy, in the midst of his own trouble by the news which he had received. For far from shaking the faith of these very young believers the trial had strengthened it. In the same way the harshest climates generally form the toughest species. Once again Satan’s work had been his undoing (Proverbs 11:18).