1 Thessalonians 3 3

1 Thessalonians 3:3 kjv

That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

1 Thessalonians 3:3 nkjv

that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

1 Thessalonians 3:3 niv

so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.

1 Thessalonians 3:3 esv

that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.

1 Thessalonians 3:3 nlt

and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles.

1 Thessalonians 3 verses

1 Thessalonians 3 3 Meaning

First Thessalonians 3:3 conveys Paul’s earnest desire that the Thessalonian believers remain steadfast in their faith, undisturbed by the intense afflictions they faced. It establishes the foundational truth that suffering is not an unexpected misfortune for Christians but an ordained and understood aspect of their life in Christ, a predetermined part of the path set before them and all who follow Him. This understanding serves as the bedrock for their endurance.

1 Thessalonians 3 3 Context

Chapter 3 of 1 Thessalonians reveals Paul’s deep pastoral anxiety for the young Thessalonian believers. He had left them suddenly due to persecution (Acts 17:5-10) and was greatly concerned that the afflictions they faced might weaken their new faith. This concern prompted him to send Timothy to encourage and establish them (v. 2, 5). Verse 3 provides the core reason why they should not be disturbed by these trials: suffering is not a sign of divine displeasure or an accident but a preordained, inherent part of the Christian calling.

Historically, Thessalonica was a bustling Roman colony where loyalty to the Empire was paramount. Christians, with their allegiance solely to Christ and their refusal to participate in emperor worship or pagan rituals, often faced social ostracism, economic hardship (boycotts), and even physical persecution stirred up by those loyal to the traditional system, sometimes incited by Jewish opposition. This verse stands as a powerful counter-narrative to common pagan beliefs that often associated suffering with divine displeasure or misfortune, reframing it as a divinely appointed pathway for true believers, a mark of genuine discipleship aligned with Christ's own experiences.

1 Thessalonians 3 3 Word analysis

• "so that" (εἰς τὸ - eis to): A purpose clause, indicating the desired outcome or intent behind Paul sending Timothy and the general reason for his concern.
• "no one" (μηδένα - mēdena): Emphasizes the universal scope of Paul's prayer and intent; he wants none of them to be shaken.
• "would be shaken" (σαίνεσθαι - sainesthai): From the Greek verb sainō. Originally, it describes a dog wagging its tail, either in fawning affection or excitement. Here, in the context of afflictions, it takes on the meaning of being disturbed, upset, unsettled, disheartened, or drawn away from steadfastness. It suggests emotional agitation that could lead to spiritual destabilization or desertion from faith.
• "by these afflictions" (ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσιν ταύταις - en tais thlipsesin tautais):
  • "afflictions" (θλίψεσιν - thlipsesin): From thlipsis. Denotes intense pressure, tribulation, distress, or anguish. It refers to the external hardships and persecutions experienced by the Thessalonian believers (e.g., social hostility, economic boycott, physical harassment) that caused significant internal pressure and emotional distress.
  • "these" (ταύταις - tautais): Points specifically to the trials they were currently enduring, which Paul had personally witnessed and for which he feared.
• "For" (γάρ - gar): A causal conjunction, introducing the reason or justification for Paul’s instruction and his concern. It links the command not to be shaken to the theological truth that follows.
• "you yourselves know" (αὐτοὶ γὰρ οἴδατε - autoi gar oidate):
  • "yourselves" (αὐτοὶ - autoi): An emphatic pronoun. Paul is appealing to their own direct, personal knowledge and understanding. He had likely taught them this truth when he was among them. It suggests a shared experience or an understanding they had already attained.
  • "know" (οἴδατε - oidate): From oida, implying an intuitive, experiential, or deep-seated knowledge, not just intellectual assent. They had learned this truth, possibly through Paul's teaching and certainly through their own initial encounters with opposition.
• "that we are destined" (ὅτι εἰς τοῦτο κείμεθα - hoti eis touto keimetha):
  • "destined" (κείμεθα - keimetha): From keimai, meaning "to lie," "to be laid," or "to be appointed." In this perfect passive indicative form, it conveys a state of being laid down, fixed, or appointed. It powerfully signifies divine appointment, predetermination, or an unchangeable fate. It's not a random occurrence but a sovereign design.
  • "we" (implied in keimetha): This first-person plural signifies that this "destiny" applies not just to the Thessalonians but to Paul, his fellow apostles, and all believers—it's a universal Christian truth.
  • "for this" (εἰς τοῦτο - eis touto): Directly refers back to "these afflictions." Their destiny is specifically for or unto the very suffering they are experiencing.

1 Thessalonians 3 3 Bonus section

The seemingly contradictory original meaning of sainō (to fawn/wag tail) adds a subtle layer to "would be shaken." While commonly understood as disturbed, it might also carry the undertone of not being seduced or flattered by temporary ease, thereby departing from the path when hardships cease for a moment, or of being so overwhelmed as to become emotionally unstable, losing composure rather than showing courage. The perfect passive indicative of keimetha for "destined" implies a state that has been laid down and remains laid down. It’s an established, permanent truth—a foundational fact of Christian life. This truth protects believers from shame or guilt when they face difficulties, confirming their genuine calling. It aligns perfectly with Jesus's own statements that His disciples would suffer, which He often prefaced with "If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you" (John 15:18). This verse serves as a foundational apologetic for early Christian suffering, validating their experience through theological truth.

1 Thessalonians 3 3 Commentary

First Thessalonians 3:3 is a pivotal statement reflecting Paul’s pastoral heart and robust theology of suffering. It reveals that the ultimate aim of his care, particularly through Timothy's mission, was to prevent any of the new believers from becoming disillusioned or unstable due to persecution. The severe nature of the "afflictions" (thlipsis – intense pressure) they faced was a real threat to their nascent faith. Paul grounds their perseverance in a profound truth: these trials are not random calamities or signs of God’s disfavor, but an essential, preordained component of Christian discipleship. The phrase "you yourselves know that we are destined for this" acts as a powerful reminder, drawing upon teaching they had already received and likely verified by their lived experience. The term "destined" (keimetha) conveys that this path is divinely appointed and immovable for all who follow Christ, including the apostles themselves. This understanding transforms suffering from a shocking obstacle into an expected element of their shared spiritual journey, akin to how Christ himself was destined to suffer. This knowledge provides stability, guards against bitterness, and strengthens their resolve by ensuring that their current struggles align with God’s sovereign plan for their growth and identification with His Son. It calls believers to view adversity not as an alien attack but as part of a purposeful design, purifying faith and revealing genuine allegiance to the Lord.

For practical usage, this verse calls believers to:

• Expect Suffering: Do not be surprised when hardships arise in faith.
• Reframe Suffering: See trials not as random but as part of a divine path that conforms us to Christ.
• Find Stability in Truth: Lean on the knowledge of God’s design rather than personal feelings of confusion or despair during tough times.