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the Week of Proper 21 / Ordinary 26
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Read the Bible

King James Version

1 Thessalonians 3:1

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

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Athens;   Zeal, Religious;   Thompson Chain Reference - Athens;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Interpretation;   Paul;   Thessalonians, letters to;   Timothy;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Athens;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Paul;   Thessalonians, the Epistles to the;   Timothy;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Disciples;   1 Thessalonians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Acts of the Apostles;   Athens;   Paul the Apostle;   Silas;   Thessalonians, First Epistle to the;   Thessalonians, Second Epistle to the;   Timothy;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Acts of the Apostles;   Silas or Silyanus;   Suffering;   Thessalonians Epistles to the;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Athens ;   Timotheus, Timothy;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Thessalo'nians, First Epistle to the,;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Chronology of the New Testament;   Forbear;   Macedonia;   Silas;   Thessalonians, the First Epistle of Paul to the;   Timothy;  

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone,
Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we were pleased to be left behind at Athens alone,
Simplified Cowboy Version
So, when we could stand it no longer, we sent Timothy to y'all.
Bible in Basic English
At last our desire to have news of you was so strong that, while we ourselves were waiting at Athens,
Darby Translation
Wherefore, being no longer able to refrain ourselves, we thought good to be left alone in Athens,
Christian Standard Bible®
Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens.
World English Bible
Therefore, when we couldn't stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Therefore when we could bear no longer, we thought good to be left at Athens alone,
Weymouth's New Testament
So when we could endure it no longer, we decided to remain behind in Athens alone;
King James Version (1611)
Wherefore when wee could no longer forbeare, wee thought it good to bee left at Athens alone:
Literal Translation
So, no longer enduring, we were pleased to be left in Athens alone,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Wherfore sence we coulde no longer forbeare, we thoughte it good to remayne at Athens alone,
Mace New Testament (1729)
Being therefore impatient to hear of you, we judg'd it proper to stay at Athens alone, and send you our brother Timothy,
THE MESSAGE
So when we couldn't stand being separated from you any longer and could find no way to visit you ourselves, we stayed in Athens and sent Timothy to get you up and about, cheering you on so you wouldn't be discouraged by these hard times. He's a brother and companion in the faith, God's man in spreading the Message, preaching Christ.
Amplified Bible
Therefore, when we could no longer endure our separation [from you], we thought it best to be left behind, alone at Athens,
American Standard Version
Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone;
Revised Standard Version
Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone,
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Wherfore sence we coulde no lenger forbeare it pleased vs to remayne at Athens alone
Update Bible Version
Therefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone;
Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore, when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
Young's Literal Translation
Wherefore no longer forbearing, we thought good to be left in Athens alone,
New Century Version
When we could not wait any longer, we decided it was best to stay in Athens alone
New English Translation
So when we could bear it no longer, we decided to stay on in Athens alone.
Berean Standard Bible
So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens.
Contemporary English Version
Finally, we couldn't stand it any longer. We decided to stay in Athens by ourselves
Complete Jewish Bible
So when we could no longer stand it, we agreed to be left in Athens alone
English Standard Version
Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone,
Geneva Bible (1587)
Wherefore since we coulde no longer forbeare, wee thought it good to remaine at Athens alone,
George Lamsa Translation
AND because we could no longer with stand these obstacles, we decided to remain at Athens alone;
Hebrew Names Version
Therefore, when we couldn't stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,
International Standard Version
Therefore, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to remain alone in AthensActs 17:15; 1 Thessalonians 3:5;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
And because we could not endure, we were willing to be left at Athinos alone,
Murdock Translation
And, because we could no longer endure it, we were willing to be left alone at Athens,
New King James Version
Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,
New Living Translation
Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens,
New Life Bible
When we could wait no longer, we decided it was best to stay in the city of Athens alone.
English Revised Version
Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone;
New Revised Standard
Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we decided to be left alone in Athens;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Wherefore, no longer concealing our anxiety, we were well-pleased to be left in Athens, alone,
Douay-Rheims Bible
For which cause, forbearing no longer, we thought it good to remain at Athens alone.
Lexham English Bible
Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we determined to be left behind in Athens alone,
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Wherfore, sence we coulde no longer forbeare, we thought it good to remaine at Athens alone.
Easy-to-Read Version
We could not come to you, but it was very hard to wait any longer. So we decided to send Timothy to you and stay in Athens alone. Timothy is our brother. He works with us for God to tell people the Good News about Christ. We sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage you in your faith.
New American Standard Bible
Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to be left behind, alone at Athens,
Good News Translation
Finally, we could not bear it any longer. So we decided to stay on alone in Athens
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For which thing we suffriden no lengere, and it pleside to vs to dwelle aloone at Atenys;

Contextual Overview

1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; 2 And 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: 3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 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. 5 For 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.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

when: 1 Thessalonians 3:5, 1 Thessalonians 2:17, Jeremiah 20:9, Jeremiah 44:22, 2 Corinthians 2:13, 2 Corinthians 11:29, 2 Corinthians 11:30

we thought: Acts 17:15

Reciprocal: 2 Timothy 1:4 - desiring

Cross-References

Genesis 3:13
And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Ecclesiastes 4:10
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Isaiah 27:1
In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.
Matthew 4:3
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Matthew 4:6
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Matthew 4:9
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
2 Corinthians 11:14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
1 Peter 3:7
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Wherefore when we could no longer forbear,.... Or "bear", as the word properly signifies; or "bear that", as the Ethiopic version reads; that is, "that desire", as the Arabic version renders it; that ardent and longing desire of seeing them again, expressed in the latter part of the preceding chapter; which was as fire in their bones, and was retained with great pain and uneasiness; but now they could hold it no longer, and like Jeremiah, Jeremiah 20:9 were weary with forbearing, and could not stay; or it was like a burden, which they stood up under as long as they could, even Paul, Silas, and Timothy, but now it became insupportable:

we thought it good to be left at Athens alone: that is, Paul and Silas, or Paul only, speaking of himself in the plural number; for he seems to have been alone at Athens, at least at last; he considering everything, thought it most fit and advisable when at Athens, where he waited for Silas and Timothy, having ordered them to come thither to him from Berea, Acts 17:14 either to send orders to Berea for Timothy to go from thence to Thessalonica, to know the state of affairs there, and Silas elsewhere; or if they came to him to Athens, of which Luke gives no account, he immediately dispatched Timothy to Thessalonica, and Silas to some other part of Macedonia, for from thence they came to him at Corinth, Acts 18:5 such was his desire of knowing how things were at Thessalonica, that he chose rather to be left alone at Athens, disputing with the unbelieving Jews, and Heathen philosophers of the Epicurean and Stoic sects, sustaining all their scoffs and jeers alone; and was content to be without his useful companions, Silas and Timothy, who might have been assisting to him at Athens, in hope of hearing of his dear friends at Thessalonica.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Wherefore - See 1 Thessalonians 2:18. This particle (διὸ dio) is designed here to refer to another proof of his affection for them. One evidence had been referred to in his strong desire to visit them, which he had been unable to accomplish 1 Thessalonians 2:18, and he here refers to another - to wit, the fact that he had sent Timothy to them.

We could no longer forbear - That is, when I could not 1 Thessalonians 3:5, for there is every evidence that Paul refers to himself only though he uses the plural form of the word. There was no one with him at Athens after he had sent Timothy away Acts 17:15; Acts 18:5, and this shows that when, in 1 Thessalonians 2:6, he uses the term apostles in the plural number, he refers to himself only, and does not mean to give the name to Timothy and Silas. If this be so, Timothy and Silas are nowhere called “apostles” in the New Testament. The word rendered here “could forbear” (στέγοντες stegontes), means, properly, “to cover, to conceal;” and then to hide or conceal anger, impatience, weariness, etc.; that is, to hold out as to anything, to bear with, to endure. It is rendered suffer in 1 Corinthians 9:12; beareth, 1 Corinthians 13:7; and forbear, 1Th 3:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:5. It is not elsewhere used in the New Testament. It means that he could no longer bear up under, hide, or suppress his impatience in regard to them - his painful emotions - his wish to know of their state; and he therefore sent Timothy to them.

We thought it good - I was willing to suffer the inconvenience of parting with him in order to show my concern for you.

To be left at Athens alone - Paul had been conducted to Athens from Berea, where he remained until Silas and Timothy could come to him; Acts 17:15. It appears from the statement here that Timothy had joined him there, but such was his solicitude for the church at Thessalonica, that he very soon after sent him there, and chose to remain himself alone at Athens. Why he did not himself return to Thessalonica, is not stated. It is evidently implied here that it was a great personal inconvenience for him thus to part with Timothy, and to remain alone at Athens, and that he evinced the strong love which he had for the church at Thessalonica by being willing to submit to it. What that inconvenience consisted in, he has not stated, but it is not difficult to understand,

(1) He was among total strangers, and, when Timothy was gone, without an acquaintance or friend.

(2) The aid of Timothy was needed in order to prosecute the work which he contemplated. He had requested that Timothy should join him as soon as possible when he left Berea Acts 17:15, and he evidently felt it desirable that in preaching the gospel in that city he should have all the assistance he could obtain. Yet he was willing to forego those comforts and advantages in order to promote the edification of the church at Thessalonica.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER III.

St Paul informs them how, being hindered himself from visiting

them, he had sent Timothy to comfort them, of whom he gives a

high character, 1, 2.

Shows that trials and difficulties are unavoidable in the present

state, 3, 4.

Mentions the joy he had on hearing by Timothy of their

steadiness in the faith, for which he returns thanks to God;

and prays earnestly for their increase, 5-10.

Prays also that God may afford him an opportunity of seeing

them, 11.

And that they may abound in love to God and one another, and

be unblamable in holiness at the coming of Christ, 12, 13.

NOTES ON CHAP. III.

Verse 1 Thessalonians 3:1. Wherefore, when we could no longer, c.] The apostle was anxious to hear of their state, and as he could obtain no information without sending a messenger express, he therefore sent Timothy from Athens choosing rather to be left alone, than to continue any longer in uncertainty relative to their state.


 
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