Standing Fast in the Lord

What stands out for me in this passage is how much Paul loves Gtod, Jesus and the church at Thessalonica. In spite of all the persecution he has faced, he has been worried about the fledgling church....so much so that he haLed to send Timothy to check on them. And the joy he feels at Timothy's good report of their continued faith and love just pours out of him in these verses. In spite of the personal distress and affliction he is experiencing, he is comforted at Timothy's good news. Indeed he says that now he can go on living now that he knows that they are standing firm in their faith despite their own persecution. He still longs to see them face to face so that he can fill in any gaps in their faith. He does not want them to waiver at all. Paul had been concerned that all the persecution might have caused the church at Thessalonica to fall away, to walk away from the faith. He himself was under attack and being chased from city to city, so when Timothy brought him the news that the church was holding steady, this encouraged him and helped his faith. I know that my faith can encourage and sustain me when times are tough, but it's also encouraging to realize that my demonstrated faith in adverse circumstances can encourage another believer going through his/her own tough times. It was their faith in God and love for one another that was so refreshing and comforting for Paul. Persecution, attack, suffering, trials---these things are going to come. Believers, however, encourage and support one another through their faith and their love. Paul can take the floggings and the imprisonments as long as he knows they are "standing fast in the Lord." My hard times should draw me closer to God and to other believers!

Phrase

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

esv

Paul is Comforted Through Their Faith

But now that Timothy has come

to us

Destination

from you,

Separation

and {he} has brought us the good news

of your faith

Contents

and love

and {he also} reported

that you (1) always remember us kindly

Content #1

and (2) long to see us,

Content #2

as we long to see you—

Comparison

for this reason, brothers,

Ground

in all our distress and affliction

Context

we have been comforted

about you

Reference

through your faith.

Manner

For now we live,

if you are standing fast

Condition

in the Lord.

Standard

Paul Prays to See Them

For what thanksgiving can we return

to God

Source

for you,

for all the joy

Content

that we feel

for your sake

Advantage

before our God,

Locative

as we pray most earnestly

Comparison #1

night and day

Temporal

that we may see you

Content #1

face to face

and {that we may} supply

Content #2

what is lacking

in your faith?

Benediction

Now may our God and Father himself, and

{may} our Lord Jesus, direct our way

to you,

and may the Lord make you increase

and abound

in love

for one another

Reference #1

and for all,

Reference #2

as we do

for you,

Reference #3

so that he may establish your hearts blameless

in holiness

before our God

and Father,

Explanation

at the coming

of our Lord Jesus

Subjective

with all his saints.

Accompaniment

phrasing

Comments

About Biblearc · Online courses · Report abuse

Disclaimer: The opinions and conclusions expressed on this page are those of the author and may or may not accord with the positions of Biblearc or Bethlehem College & Seminary.

Biblearc app Path Courses Courses Learning Resources Login / Free Account Subscription
Glories Authors Groups Donate Gift certificates Ownership, thanks, copyrights and terms