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1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 | Verse-by-Verse & Rightly Divided | Dr. Randy White

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by Randy White Ministries Saturday, Aug 23, 2025

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 | Session 6




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.

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