1 Thessalonians 3:5

Contextual Overview

¹We 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. ¹ Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, ¹ Wherfore sence we coulde no lenger forbeare it pleased vs to remayne at Athens alone ¹ Therefore, when we couldn't stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone, ¹ Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to be left behind, alone at Athens, ¹ When we could not wait any longer, we decided it was best to stay in Athens alone ¹ Therefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone; ¹ Wherefore, when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; ¹ Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, ¹ Therefore, when we couldn't stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

when: 1 Thessalonians 3:1

I sent: 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 1 Thessalonians 3:6, Acts 15:36, 2 Corinthians 7:5-7

lest: Matthew 4:3, 1 Corinthians 7:5, 2 Corinthians 2:11, 2 Corinthians 11:2, 2 Corinthians 11:3, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Galatians 1:6-9, Ephesians 4:14, James 1:13, James 1:14

and our: 1 Thessalonians 2:1, Isaiah 49:4, Galatians 2:2, Galatians 4:11, Philippians 2:16

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 17:18 - look Song of Solomon 7:12 - let us see Daniel 6:19 - General Luke 6:49 - against Luke 8:13 - which Luke 14:28 - counteth John 15:4 - Abide Romans 11:22 - if thou 1 Corinthians 15:58 - is not 2 Corinthians 11:29 - is weak Philippians 3:11 - by Colossians 1:23 - ye continue Colossians 4:8 - I have Revelation 2:26 - keepeth

Cross-References

Genesis 2:17
but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

Genesis 2:17
but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die.

Genesis 2:17
but you must not eat the fruit from the tree which gives the knowledge of good and evil. If you ever eat fruit from that tree, you will die!"

Genesis 2:17
but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will surely die."

Genesis 2:17
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest of it thou shalt surely die.

Genesis 2:17
but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat of it you will surely die."

Genesis 2:17
but [only] from the tree of the knowledge (recognition) of good and evil you shall not eat, otherwise on the day that you eat from it, you shall most certainly die [because of your disobedience]."

Genesis 2:17
forsothe ete thou not of the tre of kunnyng of good and of yuel; for in what euere dai thou schalt ete therof, thou schalt die bi deeth.

Genesis 2:17
and of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou dost not eat of it, for in the day of thine eating of it -- dying thou dost die.'

Genesis 2:17
but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear,.... Or "bear" the above vehement desire of seeing them, or of hearing from them. Here the apostle speaks in the singular number, and seems to intimate, as if what was said before of the like kind is to be understood singly of him; for these words are a repetition and summary of the foregoing, with some diversity:

I sent to know your faith; how it stood, whether it was staggering through these afflictions, or firm; whether it was weak or strong, what was wanting in it; and whether it grew and increased. The Arabic version adds, "and charity"; for of this, as well as of faith, Timothy brought an account, as appears from the following verse.

Lest by some means the tempter; Satan, so called from his common and constant employ in tempting men to sin; see Matthew 4:3

have tempted you with success, and got an advantage over them, improving these afflictions to such a purpose as to move them from the hope of the Gospel, and relinquish the profession of it; for otherwise there was no question to be made but he had tempted them, or solicited them to it; for none of the saints are free from his temptations; the apostle himself was not, nor indeed our Lord Jesus Christ: but the apostle's fears were, lest he should so have tempted them as to have gained upon them, and have persuaded them to have turned their backs upon the Gospel, and not expose their name and credit, and hazard the toss of worldly substance, and even life itself, for the sake of it.

And our labour be in vain: in preaching the Gospel among them; not with respect to God, to whom the word never returns void and empty; nor with regard to the apostles, whose judgment was with the Lord, and their work with their God, who will of his own grace reward them; but with respect to the Thessalonians, to whom, should Satan gain his point, it would be of no use and service, for which the concern was. The Ethiopic version reads, "and your labour be in vain": in receiving the apostles, embracing and professing the Gospel, and suffering for it; see Galatians 3:4 but the common reading is best, and agrees with what the apostle elsewhere says, Galatians 4:11.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For this cause - Since I knew that you were so liable to be persecuted, and since I feared that some might be turned from the truth by this opposition.

When I could no longer forbear - See the notes at 1 Thessalonians 3:1.

I sent to know your faith - That is, your fidelity. or your steadfastness in the gospel.

Lest by some means - Either by allurements to apostasy, set before you by your former pagan friends; or by the arts of false teachers; or by the severity of suffering. Satan has many methods of seducing people from the truth, and Paul was fearful that by some of his arts he might be successful there.

The tempter - Satan; for though the Jews were the immediate actors in those transactions, yet the apostle regarded them as being under the direction of Satan, and as accomplishing his purposes. He was, therefore, the real author of the persecutions which had been excited. He is here called the “Tempter,” as he is often (compare Matt. iv.), and the truths taught are:

(1) That Satan is the great author of persecution; and,

(2) That in a time of persecution - or of trial of any kind - he endeavors to tempt people to swerve from the truth, and to abandon their religion. In persecution, people are tempted to apostatize from God, in order to avoid suffering. In afflictions of other kinds, Satan often tempts the sufferer to murmur and complain; to charge God with harshness, partiality, and severity, and to give vent to expressions that will show that religion has none of its boasted power to support the soul in the day of trial; compare Job 1:9-11. In all times of affliction, as well as in prosperity, we may be sure that “the Tempter” is not far off, and should be on our guard against his wiles.

And our labour be in vain - By your being turned from the faith; notes, Galatians 4:11.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Thessalonians 3:5. For this cause — Knowing that you would be persecuted, and knowing that your apostasy was possible, I sent to know your faith-whether you continued steadfast in the truth, lest you might have been tempted by Satan to consult your present ease, and abandon the Gospel, for which you suffered persecution.