1 Thessalonians 3:2 kjv
And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
1 Thessalonians 3:2 nkjv
and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
1 Thessalonians 3:2 niv
We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God's service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
1 Thessalonians 3:2 esv
and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,
1 Thessalonians 3:2 nlt
and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God's co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith,
1 Thessalonians 3 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Thessalonians 3:2 | To establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith: | Paul's purpose for sending Timothy |
| Acts 14:22 | Strengthening the souls of the disciples, | Apostles encouraging new believers |
| Romans 1:11 | That I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, | Paul's desire to minister to others |
| 1 Corinthians 1:10 | That ye all speak the same thing, | Unity in the church |
| 1 Corinthians 16:10 | Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: | Instructions concerning Timothy |
| Ephesians 4:12 | For the perfecting of the saints, | Purpose of ministry |
| Philippians 2:19 | But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, | Paul planning to send Timothy |
| Colossians 1:23 | If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, | Enduring in faith |
| 2 Timothy 1:7 | For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; | Strength through the Spirit |
| 2 Timothy 3:14 | But continue thou in those things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, | Steadfastness in learning |
| Hebrews 12:12 | Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; | Encouragement to persevere |
| James 1:2 | My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; | Joy in trials |
| 1 Peter 5:10 | But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a little while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. | God's role in strengthening believers |
| Genesis 26:24 | And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake. | God's presence and promise to Isaac |
| Psalm 27:14 | Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. | Encouragement to wait on the Lord |
| Psalm 37:23 | The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: | God's guidance for the righteous |
| Isaiah 40:31 | But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. | Renewal of strength in waiting |
| Jeremiah 29:11 | For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. | God's plan for His people |
| Matthew 18:20 | For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. | Christ's presence in community |
| John 14:16 | And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; | The Holy Spirit as Comforter |
| Romans 8:39 | Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. | Unfailing love of God |
| 1 Corinthians 2:5 | That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. | Faith based on God's power |
| Galatians 5:22 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, | Fruit of the Spirit |
| Ephesians 3:17 | That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; | Christ dwelling in hearts |
| Philippians 4:13 | I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. | Strength through Christ |
| Colossians 1:9 | That ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; | Spiritual understanding |
| 1 Timothy 4:16 | Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. | Self-exhortation and doctrine |
| Hebrews 6:11 | And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: | Assurance of hope |
| Revelation 3:2 | Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: | Strengthening what remains |
1 Thessalonians 3 verses
1 Thessalonians 3 2 Meaning
The verse signifies sending Timothy to strengthen and encourage the Thessalonian believers in their faith. It expresses Paul's concern for their spiritual well-being and his desire for them to stand firm amidst trials. It also reflects the close fellowship and apostolic care within the early church.
1 Thessalonians 3 2 Context
Paul, imprisoned or facing significant challenges, sent Timothy to the church in Thessalonica. This was likely in response to news or concerns about their spiritual state. The Thessalonian believers had faced persecution and internal difficulties, impacting their steadfastness. Paul's mission for Timothy was to ascertain their condition and to minister to them, specifically to bolster their faith and offer encouragement. This reflects the pastoral care and the importance of church leadership in navigating spiritual and external pressures.
1 Thessalonians 3 2 Word analysis
"To establish you" (Gk. stereosai): To make firm, to strengthen, to settle, to confirm. This speaks to a foundational aspect of faith, making it resilient against doubt or opposition.
"and" (Gk. kai): Connects the two purposes for Timothy's visit: establishing and comforting.
"to comfort you" (Gk. paraklesai): To call to one's side, to encourage, to console, to exhort. This implies not just solace but also active strengthening and exhortation.
"concerning your faith" (Gk. tes pisteos hymon): Pertaining to their belief in Christ and adherence to the Gospel. Paul was concerned about the endurance and integrity of their faith.
"To establish and to comfort": These two verbs represent essential pastoral functions. Establishment implies strengthening the foundations, while comfort involves providing encouragement and relief from distress. Both are crucial for spiritual maturity and perseverance.
"Concerning your faith": This phrase specifies the area of concern and ministry. Timothy's purpose was directly related to their belief system and its impact on their lives.
1 Thessalonians 3 2 Bonus section
The act of sending Timothy reflects the early church's itinerant ministry and the importance of personal connection in spiritual formation. The terminology used, "establish" and "comfort," resonates with Old Testament themes of God's covenantal faithfulness and His provision for His people in times of hardship. The focus on "faith" as the core concern highlights that despite external challenges, the internal conviction and trust in God were paramount. This action also underscores the interconnectedness of believers and the shared responsibility for mutual strengthening within the body of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 3 2 Commentary
Paul viewed the Thessalonian believers as a spiritual family and therefore invested in their growth and endurance. Timothy, as a trusted coworker, was sent to provide pastoral support. His mission was twofold: to firm up their belief in the face of adversity and to offer reassurance and encouragement. This underlines the vital role of encouragement and solid doctrine in the life of the church, especially when believers are under trial. It highlights Paul's deep affection and responsibility for the spiritual well-being of those to whom he ministered.