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 3:2

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

Such was the care of the holy apostle Paul for his disciples, that when he himself was detained by some difficult circumstances, he would send others to visit his disciples. This is what he did then as well, sending Timothy. And he speaks of him with such praise, not so much exalting him as honoring them by the fact that one so indispensable at such a time he drew away for their sake from the work of ministry as a "fellow worker in the Gospel."

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

And we sent Timothy, who was the one most in accord with the Apostle: "I have no one like him, who will be genuinely anxious for your welfare" (Phil. 2:20). "I sent to you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord" (1 Cor. 4:17). Our brother, sustained by charity. "A brother helped by a brother is like a strong city" (Prov. 18:19), and God's servant, for he is an important person in the Church: "Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one" (2 Cor. 11:23). …

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians ↗