Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: 1 Thessalonians 3:1 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
1Th 3:1	Strong Concordance	Wherefore [1352] when we could [4722] no longer [3371] forbear [4722], we thought it good [2106] to be left [2641] at [1722] Athens [116] alone [3441];
	King James	Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
PROOF OF HIS DESIRE AFTER THEM IN HIS HAVING SENT TIMOTHY: HIS JOY AT THE TIDINGS BROUGHT BACK CONCERNING THEIR FAITH AND CHARITY: PRAYERS FOR THEM. (Th1 3:1-13) Wherefore--because of our earnest love to you (Th1 2:17-20). forbear--"endure" the suspense. The Greek is literally applied to a watertight vessel. When we could no longer contain ourselves in our yearning desire for you. left at Athens alone--See my Introduction. This implies that he sent Timothy from Athens, whither the latter had followed him. However, the "we" favors ALFORD'S view that the determination to send Timothy was formed during the hasty consultation of Paul, Silas, and Timothy, previous to his departure from Berea, and that then he with them "resolved" to be "left alone" at Athens, when he should arrive there: Timothy and Silas not accompanying him, but remaining at Berea. Thus the "I," Th1 3:5, will express that the act of sending Timothy, when he arrived at Athens, was Paul's, while the determination that Paul should be left alone at Athens, was that of the brethren as well as himself, at Berea, whence he uses, Th1 3:1, "we." The non-mention of Silas at Athens implies that he did not follow Paul to Athens as was at first intended; but Timothy did. Thus the history, Act 17:14-15, accords with the Epistle. The word "left behind" (Greek) implies that Timothy had been with him at Athens. It was an act of self-denial for their sakes that Paul deprived himself of the presence of Timothy at Athens, which would have been so cheering to him in the midst of philosophic cavillers; but from love to the Thessalonians, he is well content to be left all "alone" in the great city.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

PROOF OF HIS DESIRE AFTER THEM IN HIS HAVING SENT TIMOTHY: HIS JOY AT THE TIDINGS BROUGHT BACK CONCERNING THEIR FAITH AND CHARITY: PRAYERS FOR THEM. (Th1 3:1-13)

Wherefore--because of our earnest love to you (Th1 2:17-20).

forbear--"endure" the suspense. The Greek is literally applied to a watertight vessel. When we could no longer contain ourselves in our yearning desire for you.

left at Athens alone--See my Introduction. This implies that he sent Timothy from Athens, whither the latter had followed him. However, the "we" favors ALFORD'S view that the determination to send Timothy was formed during the hasty consultation of Paul, Silas, and Timothy, previous to his departure from Berea, and that then he with them "resolved" to be "left alone" at Athens, when he should arrive there: Timothy and Silas not accompanying him, but remaining at Berea. Thus the "I," Th1 3:5, will express that the act of sending Timothy, when he arrived at Athens, was Paul's, while the determination that Paul should be left alone at Athens, was that of the brethren as well as himself, at Berea, whence he uses, Th1 3:1, "we." The non-mention of Silas at Athens implies that he did not follow Paul to Athens as was at first intended; but Timothy did. Thus the history, Act 17:14-15, accords with the Epistle. The word "left behind" (Greek) implies that Timothy had been with him at Athens. It was an act of self-denial for their sakes that Paul deprived himself of the presence of Timothy at Athens, which would have been so cheering to him in the midst of philosophic cavillers; but from love to the Thessalonians, he is well content to be left all "alone" in the great city.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Wherefore - See Th1 2:18. This particle (διὸ dio) is designed here to refer to another proof of his affection for them. One evidence had been referred to in his strong desire to visit them, which he had been unable to accomplish Th1 2:18, and he here refers to another - to wit, the fact that he had sent Timothy to them. We could no longer forbear - That is, when I could not Th1 3:5, for there is every evidence that Paul refers to himself only though he uses the plural form of the word. There was no one with him at Athens after he had sent Timothy away Act 17:15; Act 18:5, and this shows that when, in Th1 2:6, he uses the term apostles in the plural number, he refers to himself only, and does not mean to give the name to Timothy and Silas. If this be so, Timothy and Silas are nowhere called "apostles" in the New Testament. The word rendered here "could forbear" (στέγοντες stegontes), means, properly, "to cover, to conceal;" and then to hide or conceal anger, impatience, weariness, etc.; that is, to hold out as to anything, to bear with, to endure. It is rendered suffer in Co1 9:12; beareth, Co1 13:7; and forbear, Th1 3:1, Th1 3:5. It is not elsewhere used in the New Testament. It means that he could no longer bear up under, hide, or suppress his impatience in regard to them - his painful emotions - his wish to know of their state; and he therefore sent Timothy to them. We thought it good - I was willing to suffer the inconvenience of parting with him in order to show my concern for you. To be left at Athens alone - Paul had been conducted to Athens from Berea, where he remained until Silas and Timothy could come to him; Act 17:15. It appears from the statement here that Timothy had joined him there, but such was his solicitude for the church at Thessalonica, that he very soon after sent him there, and chose to remain himself alone at Athens. Why he did not himself return to Thessalonica, is not stated. It is evidently implied here that it was a great personal inconvenience for him thus to part with Timothy, and to remain alone at Athens, and that he evinced the strong love which he had for the church at Thessalonica by being willing to submit to it. What that inconvenience consisted in, he has not stated, but it is not difficult to understand, (1) he was among total strangers, and, when Timothy was gone, without an acquaintance or friend. (2) the aid of Timothy was needed in order to prosecute the work which he contemplated. He had requested that Timothy should join him as soon as possible when he left Berea Act 17:15, and he evidently felt it desirable that in preaching the gospel in that city he should have all the assistance he could obtain. Yet he was willing to forego those comforts and advantages in order to promote the edification of the church at Thessalonica.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Forbear (στέγοντες) Lit. no longer forbearing. See on Co1 9:12 : lxx, Sir. 8:17. For Class. parall. Soph. O. C. 15; Elec. 1118; Eurip. Hippol. 844; Ion 1412. He means that his longing for some personal communication from the Thessalonians became intolerable. To be left - alone (καταλειφθῆναι - μόνοι) Implying, as we sent (Th1 3:2) and I sent (Th1 3:5), the previous presence of Timothy with him at Athens.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
We - Paul and Silvanus. Could bear no longer - Our desire and fear for you.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Wherefore, when we could no longer, etc. - The apostle was anxious to hear of their state, and as he could obtain no information without sending a messenger express, he therefore sent Timothy from Athens; choosing rather to be left alone, than to continue any longer in uncertainty relative to their state.

Top

¹⁴ And [1161] then [5119] immediately [2112] the brethren [80] sent away [1821] Paul [3972] to go [4198] as it were [5613] to [1909] the sea [2281]: but [1161] [5037] Silas [4609] and [2532] Timotheus [5095] abode [5278] there [1563] still [5278].
¹⁵ And [1161] they that conducted [2525] Paul [3972] brought [71] him [846] unto [2193] Athens [116]: and [2532] receiving [2983] a commandment [1785] unto [4314] Silas [4609] and [2532] Timotheus [5095] for to [2443] come [2064] to [4314] him [846] with all speed [5613] [5033], they departed [1826].

¹ Wherefore [1352] when we could [4722] no longer [3371] forbear [4722], we thought it good [2106] to be left [2641] at [1722] Athens [116] alone [3441];

⁵ For this [5124] cause [1223], when I [2504] could [4722] no longer [3371] forbear [4722], I sent [3992] to [1519] know [1097] your [5216] faith [4102], lest by some means [3381] [4458] the tempter [3985] have tempted [3985] you [5209], and [2532] our [2257] labour [2873] be [1096] in [1519] vain [2756].

¹⁷ But [1161] we [2249], brethren [80], being taken [642] from [575] you [5216] for [4314] a short [5610] time [2540] in presence [4383], not [3756] in heart [2588], endeavoured [4704] the more abundantly [4056] to see [1492] your [5216] face [4383] with [1722] great [4183] desire [1939].
¹⁸ Wherefore [1352] we would [2309] have come [2064] unto [4314] you [5209], even [3303] I [1473] Paul [3972], once [2532] [530] and [2532] again [1364]; but [2532] Satan [4567] hindered [1465] us [2248].
¹⁹ For [1063] what [5101] is our [2257] hope [1680], or [2228] joy [5479], or [2228] crown [4735] of rejoicing [2746]? [2228] Are not [3780] even [2532] ye [5210] in the presence [1715] of our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] at [1722] his [846] coming [3952]?
²⁰ For [1063] ye [5210] are [2075] our [2257] glory [1391] and [2532] joy [5479].

¹ Wherefore [1352] when we could [4722] no longer [3371] forbear [4722], we thought it good [2106] to be left [2641] at [1722] Athens [116] alone [3441];
² And [2532] sent [3992] Timotheus [5095], our [2257] brother [80], and [2532] minister [1249] of God [2316], and [2532] our [2257] fellowlabourer [4904] in [1722] the gospel [2098] of Christ [5547], to [1519] establish [4741] you [5209], and [2532] to comfort [3870] you [5209] concerning [4012] your [5216] faith [4102]:
³ That no man [3367] should be moved [4525] by [1722] these [5025] afflictions [2347]: for [1063] yourselves [846] know [1492] that [3754] we are appointed [2749] thereunto [1519] [5124].
⁴ For [1063] verily [2532], when [3753] we were [2258] with [4314] you [5209], we told [4302] you [5213] before [4302] that [3754] we should [3195] suffer tribulation [2346]; even [2532] as [2531] it came to pass [1096], and [2532] ye know [1492].
⁵ For this [5124] cause [1223], when I [2504] could [4722] no longer [3371] forbear [4722], I sent [3992] to [1519] know [1097] your [5216] faith [4102], lest by some means [3381] [4458] the tempter [3985] have tempted [3985] you [5209], and [2532] our [2257] labour [2873] be [1096] in [1519] vain [2756].
⁶ But [1161] now [737] when Timotheus [5095] came [2064] from [575] you [5216] unto [4314] us [2248], and [2532] brought [2097] us [2254] good tidings [2097] of your [5216] faith [4102] and [2532] charity [26], and [2532] that [3754] ye have [2192] good [18] remembrance [3417] of us [2257] always [3842], desiring greatly [1971] to see [1492] us [2248], as [2509] we [2249] also [2532] to see you [5209]:
⁷ Therefore [1223] [5124], brethren [80], we were comforted [3870] over [1909] you [5213] in [1909] all [3956] our [2257] affliction [2347] and [2532] distress [318] by [1223] your [5216] faith [4102]:
⁸ For [3754] now [3568] we live [2198], if [1437] ye [5210] stand fast [4739] in [1722] the Lord [2962].
⁹ For [1063] what [5101] thanks [2169] can we [1410] render [467] to God [2316] again [467] for [4012] you [5216], for [1909] all [3956] the joy [5479] wherewith [3739] we joy [5463] for [1223] your sakes [5209] before [1715] our [2257] God [2316];
¹⁰ Night [3571] and [2532] day [2250] praying [1189] exceedingly [1537] [4053] [5228] that [1519] we might see [1492] your [5216] face [4383], and [2532] might perfect [2675] that which is lacking [5303] in your [5216] faith [4102]?
¹¹ Now [1161] God [2316] himself [846] and [2532] our [2257] Father [3962], and [2532] our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], direct [2720] our [2257] way [3598] unto [4314] you [5209].
¹² And [1161] the Lord [2962] make [4121] you [5209] to increase [4121] and [2532] abound [4052] in love [26] one [240] toward [1519] another [240], and [2532] toward [1519] all [3956] men, even [2532] as [2509] we [2249] do toward [1519] you [5209]:
¹³ To the end [1519] he may stablish [4741] your [5216] hearts [2588] unblameable [273] in [1722] holiness [42] before [1715] God [2316], even [2532] our [2257] Father [3962], at [1722] the coming [3952] of our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] with [3326] all [3956] his [846] saints [40].

¹⁵ And [1161] they that conducted [2525] Paul [3972] brought [71] him [846] unto [2193] Athens [116]: and [2532] receiving [2983] a commandment [1785] unto [4314] Silas [4609] and [2532] Timotheus [5095] for to [2443] come [2064] to [4314] him [846] with all speed [5613] [5033], they departed [1826].

¹ Wherefore [1352] when we could [4722] no longer [3371] forbear [4722], we thought it good [2106] to be left [2641] at [1722] Athens [116] alone [3441];

⁷ Beareth [4722] all things [3956], believeth [4100] all things [3956], hopeth [1679] all things [3956], endureth [5278] all things [3956].

¹² If [1487] others [243] be partakers [3348] of this power [1849] over you [5216], are not [3756] we [2249] rather [3123]? Nevertheless [235] we have [5530] not [3756] used [5530] this [5026] power [1849]; but [235] suffer [4722] all things [3956], lest [3363] we should [1325] [5100] hinder [1464] the gospel [2098] of Christ [5547].

⁶ Nor [3777] of [1537] men [444] sought [2212] we glory [1391], neither [3777] of [575] you [5216], nor [3777] yet of [575] others [243], when we might [1410] have been [1511] burdensome [1722] [922], as [5613] the apostles [652] of Christ [5547].

⁵ And [1161] when [5613] [5037] Silas [4609] and [2532] Timotheus [5095] were come [2718] from [575] Macedonia [3109], Paul [3972] was pressed [4912] in the spirit [4151], and testified [1263] to the Jews [2453] that Jesus [2424] was Christ [5547].

¹⁸ Wherefore [1352] we would [2309] have come [2064] unto [4314] you [5209], even [3303] I [1473] Paul [3972], once [2532] [530] and [2532] again [1364]; but [2532] Satan [4567] hindered [1465] us [2248].

² And [2532] sent [3992] Timotheus [5095], our [2257] brother [80], and [2532] minister [1249] of God [2316], and [2532] our [2257] fellowlabourer [4904] in [1722] the gospel [2098] of Christ [5547], to [1519] establish [4741] you [5209], and [2532] to comfort [3870] you [5209] concerning [4012] your [5216] faith [4102]: