1 Thessalonians 3:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.

NIV: In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.

NASB: For even when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it happened, as you know.

CSB: In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened.

NLT: Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come — and they did, as you well know.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.

In this verse Paul reminds the Christians at Thessalonica that, while he was with them, he said repeatedly they would experience persecution. Just as he had predicted, persecution had struck, and they were fully aware of the fact. Some of them were convinced that these hardships and sufferings were signs they had entered the Tribulation. They were wrong of course, as Paul will go one to explain in chapters 4 and 5.

Peter describes believers' trials as a good thing, because they prove the genuineness of our faith and bring praise, glory, and honor at Jesus' coming (1 Peter 1:6–7). Writing on the same theme, James states: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2–4). Such a positive attitude would enable the Thessalonians to see God's purpose in trials and keep them unmoved by their afflictions (1 Thessalonians 3:3).

First Thessalonians 3:1–5 tells the Thessalonian Christians that Paul willingly stayed alone in Athens in order to dispatch Timothy to Thessalonica to help them progress in their faith. He reminds them that they should not be surprised when persecution strikes them. Persecution is part of the Christian experience. He had predicted such affliction when he was in Thessalonica. Now that he was absent from them he was concerned that the Devil might have tempted them, thereby disrupting what Paul's ministry had begun.

In chapter 3, Paul completes his discussion of the current state of the church in Thessalonica. After sending Timothy, Paul has received confirmation that the believers there are standing firm in their faith. Their devotion to the gospel is surviving, despite the persecutions which Paul predicted would arise. Paul once again thanks the Thessalonians for their faithfulness and prays for their continual growth.

Chapter 3 concludes Paul's comments about the condition of the Thessalonian church. These began in chapter 1 and were given more details in chapters 2 and 3. Here, Paul expresses his joy that the Thessalonians are enduring persecution faithfully, and he prays that they will continue to grow. In the following chapters, Paul will address some of the concerns plaguing the Thessalonians, including worries about the end times.

The apostle Paul's second missionary journey included a visit to the prominent Greek city of Thessalonica. This stood alongside a major land route and boasted a busy seaport. A number of individuals believed Paul's message (Acts 17:1–4), but an angry mob forced Paul to leave the city after his brief stay. Later, while in Athens, Paul received a glowing report: the believers at Thessalonica were growing spiritually and serving God fervently. However, they had questions about the Lord's return, including what happens to a believer who dies before that day. And, as all churches do, they had some areas in which they were falling short. In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, written about AD 51, he addresses these developments. Paul expresses gratitude for the Thessalonian believers' spiritual progress, and frequently makes references to Christ's impending return.

Accessed 9/8/2024 12:00:28 AM