ENCOURAGEMENT AT LAST (VV. 6–8)

1 THESSALONIANS 3:6 – BLACK

• Timothy’s return brought Paul the reassurance he longed for.

• Report contained “good tidings” of their faith and love.

• Despite persecution, they had not abandoned belief.

• Their affection for Paul remained strong.

• They desired to see him as much as he desired to see them.

• News was a great relief—Paul feared his labor might be in vain.

• Word Study: “Good tidings” (εὐαγγελίζω / euangelizō)

• Root of English “evangelize,” “evangelical.”

• Compound: EU (“good”) + ANGELLŌ (“announce, bring news”).

• Basic meaning: “to announce good news.”

• Related term: EUANGELION = “gospel.”

• Old English GŌDSPEL (“good story/news”) → evolved into “gospel.”

1 THESSALONIANS 3:7–8 – BLACK

• Their perseverance gave Paul comfort in his own afflictions.

• “Now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.”

• Their faith renewed his vitality.

• Their perseverance confirmed his ministry was fruitful.

• Their endurance proved God’s sustaining work and made his sacrifices worthwhile.

PAUL’S THANKSGIVING AND DESIRE FOR THEIR MATURITY (VV. 9–10)

1 THESSALONIANS 3:9 – BLACK

• Paul shifts from relief to thanksgiving.

• Rhetorical question: what thanks could adequately express his joy before God?

• Joy rooted in their steadfast faith, not mere personal comfort.

• Thanksgiving is God-centered—overflowing into worship.

1 THESSALONIANS 3:10 – BLACK

• Constant prayer “night and day” for reunion with them.

• Desire: to “perfect that which is lacking” in their faith.

• Greek KATARTIZŌ = to complete, arrange, shape into final form.

• Not merely adding knowledge, but shaping into a finished work.

• Goal: Thessalonians become spiritually well-formed—

• Grounded in doctrine

• Steadfast in hope

• Reflecting Christ’s character

PAUL’S PRAYER FOR DIRECTION (V. 11)

1 THESSALONIANS 3:11 – BLACK

• Prayer moves from thanksgiving to petition.

• “God himself, even our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ” — emphasis on personal involvement.

• Greek KAI = “even” (apposition, not addition).

• Father and Son joined as equal agents of divine guidance.

• Doctrinal weight:

• Distinction yet harmony between Father and Son.

• Prayer directed to both without contradiction.

• Consistent Pauline pattern:

• 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 – Father and Son comfort believers.

• Galatians 1:1 – Apostleship by Christ and the Father.

• Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3 – Grace and peace from both.

• 2 Corinthians 13:14 – Father, Son, Spirit in blessing.

PAUL’S PRAYER FOR GROWTH AND HOLINESS (VV. 12–13)

1 THESSALONIANS 3:12 – BLACK

• Prayer: that the Lord cause their love to overflow.

• Scope:

• Toward one another (within the church).

• Toward all men (beyond the church).

• Love modeled after Paul’s own ministry among them.

1 THESSALONIANS 3:13 – BLACK

• Purpose: hearts established “unblameable in holiness.”

• Before “God, even our Father”—ultimate accountability.

• Fulfilled “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”

• Refers to the Second Coming, not the rapture.

• “Saints” best understood as covenant people of Israel, consistent with prophetic expectation.

• Zechariah 14:5 – Lord comes with saints.

• Deuteronomy 33:2 – Lord comes with ten thousands of saints.

• Jude 14 – Enoch’s prophecy of the Lord coming with saints.

• Transitional aspect of 1 Thessalonians:

• Language consistent with kingdom hope for Jewish believers.

• Prepares for later revelation of the Body of Christ’s distinct hope.