Fathers

1 Thessalonians 3

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Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; 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: That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 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. 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. But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

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What the Fathers say

1 Thessalonians 3:10

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

If above he testified to their "standing," then how does he now say: "what was lacking in your faith"? They did not benefit from all the teaching, and they were lacking, perhaps, knowledge about the resurrection and other similar matters. Also, there were many false teachers, which is why he said: "what was lacking." Where he feared for the faith itself, he says: "we sent Timothy to establish you" (v. 2); but here he says: "to supply," which pertains more to teaching than to establishing. …

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

And let not the admonition of the most blessed apostle by any means lose its place in your hearts: "If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." He does not say, More than ye have received; but, "Other than ye have received." For had he said the former, he would be prejudging himself, inasmuch as he desired to come to the Thessalonians to supply what was lacking in their faith. …

Tractates On John 98.7 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when Paul says, night and day, the third effect of their relationship is explained. First, he points out the frequency of his prayer; secondly, he shows what he desires while praying (3:11). So Paul insists: We give thanks for things past; nevertheless we do not fail to pray also for future concerns, indeed, we do so night and day, that is, in adversity and prosperity. "Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan" (Ps. 55:17). …

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians ↗