1 Thessalonians 3:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.

NIV: For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.

NASB: for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

CSB: For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

NLT: It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.

KJV: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

NKJV: For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

Seeing the Thessalonian believers standing firm in the Lord filled Paul's life with joy and a sense of fulfillment. The word for "standing" derives from the Greek word, stekete, a military term that describes soldiers firmly holding their ground against an enemy. The believers at Thessalonica were holding their ground against attacks from the Devil and his forces. False teachers were trying to detour them from the truth, and persecution was fierce. Nevertheless, they stood firm. They grasped the anchor of hope firmly so they would not drift away from the faith (see Hebrews 6:19).

Firmly planted in the faith and holding onto the anchor of hope, they were doing what Paul exhorted the Corinthian Christians to do. They were "steadfast, immovable" and "always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). In a similar exhortation, Paul wanted the Philippian believers to stand firm "in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel" (Philippians 1:27). Collectively, Christians can be stronger than an individual believer in standing against the Devil and his forces.

First Thessalonians 3:6–10 expresses Paul's thanks for Timothy's good news regarding the Thessalonian believers. They showed faith and love and remembered Paul kindly. Also, they wanted to see him again, just as he wanted to see them. This good report cheered Paul in the midst of his trials. The fact that the believers were standing firm in the Lord gave Paul a new lease on life. He felt that he could not thank God enough for all the joy news of the Thessalonians' resolute faith and love had brought him. He was praying consistently both night and day that God would enable him to see the Thessalonians again. He was sure his visit would make it possible for him to nurture their young faith.

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.