Bible Study
September 16, 2025 (CSB)
1 Thessalonians 3:1 – 5 (CSB)
“Efforts Bring Forth Results”
“Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens. 2 And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 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. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.”
Paul after his conversion was a completely changed man. Conversion changes us all but Paul went about destroying Christians even watching at the stoning of Stephen. We have no indication Pau threw a stone but we know he was complicit by holding the coats of the stoners. What a transformation God did in his life.
Now Pual is suffering from the separation of being away from the church so he sends Timothy in his place. Paul’s primary concern was not with anything but the spiritual life of those he ministered to. One of the many components of faith is our doctrine by that I mean what do I believe and how to I support it.
Paul knew what it was to be afflicted and here we see he says to remain steadfast when they come upon us. Afflictions come to everyone the believer has a greater source available through the Holy Spirit to aid us in all things challenges we face.
Paul identified Satan as one who hinders us in 2:18 and here he refers to him as the tempter. Satan will tempt and try us trying to get us to fail in our spiritual walk – we must resist as we hold the key to resisting or submitting.
In 2:1 we see Paul’s ministry was not in vain in fact it was fruitful where people were being saved and a vibrant reproducing church had been founded.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 