What does 1 Thessalonians 3:6 mean?
Paul was prevented from returning to the Thessalonian Christians (1 Thessalonians 2:18), and so he sent Timothy (1 Thessalonians 3:1–2). This was both to strengthen them and to investigate whether or not they'd been able to withstand persecution (1 Thessalonians 3:5). Paul's concern was that the Devil might have hindered the Thessalonian believers from making further progress in the faith. This fear vanished when Timothy arrived from Thessalonica. Timothy brought a glowing report of the believers' spiritual growth. They were abounding in faith that worked, love that toiled hard, and hope that was unflinching (1 Thessalonians 1:3). They were faithfully imitating Paul and his fellow missionaries and the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:6). Also, they were faithful messengers of God's Word (1 Thessalonians 1:8).In 1 Thessalonians 3:6 Paul refers to their trust in the Lord and love for Paul as good news. He also rejoiced in the fact that the Thessalonians thought kindly of him and wanted to see him as much as he wanted to see them. It is evidence of believers' love for the Lord and one another that absence from each other makes the heart grow fonder. They look forward to fellowshipping together at the first opportunity.