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1 Thessalonians 3:1. And therefore, unable to bear it any longer, we decided to remain alone in Athens, That is: chosen and preferred. 1 Thessalonians 3:2. and they sent Timothy our brother and servant of God and our fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, Such is the concern of the holy Apostle Paul for his disciples that when he himself was held back by some embarrassing circumstances, he sent others to visit his disciples. He did the same then, sending Timothy. And he speaks of him with such praise, not so much exalting him as giving them honor by the fact that he diverted something so necessary at such a time for them from the work of serving as a “worker of the gospel.” to confirm you and comfort you in your faith, Since the Thessalonians were embarrassed that their teacher was subjected to temptation, they needed confirmation and consolation in order not to lag behind the faith. For the temptations of the teacher are no small embarrassment for the disciples, just as the wounds of the leader are for the warriors. 1 Thessalonians 3:3. so that no one will be shaken in these tribulations: The Apostle points out here what benefit the statement on behalf of Saint Timothy had to bring them. This, he says, so that they do not become confused, that is, do not lose heart and do not relax in view of my temptations. For the devil, when he seizes a favorable time for temptation, shakes the unstable with a reminder of the former peace, so that they lag behind what was the cause of sorrows. Some said that σαίνεθαι “to hesitate, to be embarrassed” - is put instead of ταράττεσθαι - “to get excited” - a metaphor taken from dogs that, when caressing, wag their tails. for you yourself know that this is how we are destined. Let us hear that Christians are destined to grieve: for he did not say this about the apostles alone. So, when we are appointed to this, what is new if we experience tribulation? Therefore, we must remain unperturbed not only by past temptations, but also by future ones. This should be more typical of us. 1 Thessalonians 3:4. For even then, as we were with you, we predicted to you that we would suffer, as it happened, and you know. Great consolation for the students was when the teacher told them about sorrows in advance. For subsequently they were not embarrassed by them as if they were unexpected. That is why Christ said to the apostles: “I told you these things before they happened, so that you might believe” (John 14:29). Not only did Paul tell them this, but many other things also came true. 1 Thessalonians 3:5. Therefore, I, unable to bear it any longer, sent O Pavel! if you predicted to them that you would endure sorrow, and that they should not worry about this sorrow, then why are you sending again? It turns out that you don't fully trust them yet. Out of great love, he says, I do this. For those who love also fear for what is safe. At the same time, there were many temptations, and an excessive number of disasters frightened me. That’s why I didn’t say: noticing something in you, I sent, but “no longer enduring” something that comes from love. Here some ask: why does the one who ascended to the third heaven, who heard unspeakable verbs (2 Cor. 12:6), not know what happened to the Thessalonians, but sends Timothy to “inquire about the faith” of them? We can say that the saints who lived before and after Christ did not know everything. For Elisha also did not know about the Shunammite wife (2 Kings 4:8). And Elijah thought that he was left alone, while there were seven thousand others (1 Kings 19:10). And before them, Samuel receives instructions not to pay attention to the face of his elder brother David (2 Samuel 16:7). So the apostles did not know everything. And this was according to the special care of God, so that neither they themselves would be exalted, nor others would think too much about them, and so that subsequent Christians could not say that they performed feats of virtue, being higher than people, and therefore they themselves would give in to carelessness; on the contrary, so that we know that they did not always hope for God’s help, but accomplished feats through their own labors. lest the tempter tempt you “I,” he says, “didn’t imagine that you wavered, except because you were exposed to temptations. You see that confusion in sorrows is the work of the devil, and especially when some are tempted due to the fact that others experience misfortune. This is what he did to Job, embarrassing his wife because he was suffering. However, the devil tempts without knowing whether he will prevail, as can be seen from the example of Job; however, being shameless, he attacks, and if he sees any weakness, he remains and waits; if he sees force, he retreats. and our labor did not become in vain. If they turned aside, O Paul, what is it to you? Your work will not remain without full reward from God. However, he says, because of strong love, I would consider my work lost. 1 Thessalonians 3:6. Now, when Timothy came to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love, I, he says, expected this, but the opposite happened. Notice Paul's great joy! He didn’t say: news, but: “good news.” He considered their firmness in faith to be such a great blessing. And he rejoiced at their love, because it was a sign of their faith. and that you always have a good memory of us, wanting to see us, just as we do you. That is, you remember us with praise and approval. Listen, students, and learn to always keep good memories of your teachers. For by doing this you will benefit yourself, not them. It is a very great consolation and joy for the Thessalonians that Paul knows that he is loved by them - this will inflame their love even more. 1 Thessalonians 3:7. then we, in all our sorrow and need, were comforted by you, brethren, Amazing thing! Paul expresses gratitude to them for not being shaken. We, he says, no longer feel sorrows, but have been comforted not in just one sorrow, but in every one. For joy about you has become a counterbalance to all our needs. You, he says, supported me. Meanwhile, in reality it was the other way around: he himself, without yielding to temptations, strengthened them, and gave them praise. For you, he says, did not allow me to feel my temptations. 1 Thessalonians 3:8. for now we are alive as you stand in the Lord. He did not say: we have been comforted, but: “we are alive,” showing that he considers their stumbling to be death for himself, and their success, standing and establishment in Christ – life. 1 Thessalonians 3:9. What gratitude can we give to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice over you before our God, Such, he says, is our joy over you that we are not even able to adequately thank God for you. We consider your success a gift from God. For such a high feeling is not characteristic of the human soul and not of human effort. That is why, although we are obliged to thank Him, we do not find it worthy of gratitude. 1 Thessalonians 3:10. night and day praying earnestly to see your face Notice the strengthening in the expression! “Praying with all earnestness” to see them, just as a farmer, hearing that the field he cultivates is replete with fruits, impatiently desires to see it with his own eyes. and complete what was lacking in your faith? If above he testified to their “standing,” then how does he now say: “what was lacking in your faith?” They did not take advantage of all the teachings, and they perhaps lacked information about the resurrection and other similar things. There were also many false teachers, which is why he said: “what was missing.” Where he feared for the faith itself, he says: “they sent Timothy to strengthen you” (v. 2); And here he says: “add”, which relates more to doctrine than to statement. For we call imperfect that which lacks a little. 1 Thessalonians 3:11. May our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our path to you. If the apostle already includes his prayer in the letter, then this shows that he also prayed in himself to see them. At the same time, he justifies himself that he is far from them not out of negligence, as if to say: May God Himself put an end to the temptations that from everywhere prevent us from going to you on the straight road. 1 Thessalonians 3:12. And may the Lord fill you and fill you with love for each other and for everyone, You see the uncontrollable impulse of love in the fact that he prays for them, so that the Lord will fulfill and fill them with love. And not only to each other, but to everyone. For this is where love for God is revealed, that it strives to embrace everyone. If you love one and not the other, then this is human love. how we are filled with you, On our side, he says, it already exists; We ask that in the future there will be on your part. Have us as a measure and example of love. 1 Thessalonians 3:13. to establish your hearts blameless in holiness before God and our Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. Amen. 3 The apostle shows that love benefits themselves, and not those who are loved. “May the Lord fill you with love,” he says, “to strengthen your hearts.” By “Lord” we mean the Spirit, as Basil the Great interpreted it. For who else will establish you blameless before God and the Father at the coming of Christ, if not the Spirit entirely? He did not say: he will strengthen you, but: “hearts.” For from the heart come evil thoughts” (Matthew 15:19). You can be evil without doing any evil, such as: being envious, treacherous, vindictive, holding a false teaching. So, then, a person is truly blameless when he cleanses his heart; then he also has holiness. For, although chastity is primarily called holiness, just as fornication and adultery are also called uncleanness, in general every sin is uncleanness, and every virtue is holiness. The Apostle wants them to be blameless before God and the Father, as now (this is real virtue before God, and not before people, since human judgment is shaky), so at the coming of Christ: for He will judge us before the face of His Father. So, he says, may you be blameless, like all the saints. The words “Amen” from the blessed one. Theophylact is missing. 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