Fathers

1 Thessalonians 3

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Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith, that no one would be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task. For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know. For this cause I also, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain. But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you, for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you, to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus 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 ↗