1 Thessalonians 3:6 - Meaning and Application

Here we see Paul’s great satisfaction when Timothy returned with good news from the Thessalonians. From this report, we can notice several things.

First, Timothy brought a good report about their faith, that is, about how steady they remained in believing the gospel (1 Thessalonians 3:6). They had not been shaken in their minds or turned away from their Christian profession. Their love also continued, both their love for the gospel and for the ministers of the gospel. They remembered the apostles warmly and with affection, and they did so constantly.

The apostles’ names were dear to them. They treasured the thoughts of the apostles and the teaching they had received from them. They strongly wanted to see the apostles again and receive more spiritual help from them. And there was no lack of love on the other side, because Paul himself was eager to see them. It is a happy thing when ministers and their people have this kind of mutual love. It helps religion grow and supports the success of the gospel. Since the world hates believers, they should love one another.

Second, Paul tells us how much comfort this report gave him (1 Thessalonians 3:7, 1 Thessalonians 3:8). He says, “Therefore, brothers, we were comforted in all our affliction and distress.” This good news was enough to balance out all the troubles he was facing. He could bear suffering, persecution, and attacks from outside more easily when he saw the good results of his ministry and the faithfulness of those he had led to Christ.

It also eased his inner distress. He had been worried that he might have worked in vain, but now that fear was greatly reduced when he learned about their faith and perseverance. This news gave him fresh life and energy for the work of the Lord. He was not only comforted, but greatly rejoiced. He could say, “Now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 3:8). It would have been deeply painful for the apostles if those who professed faith had become unstable or turned away. Nothing encouraged them more than steadiness in the believers.

Third, this good report led Paul to thanksgiving and prayer for them. He was full of joy and full of praise to God (1 Thessalonians 3:9). When we are most cheerful, we should be most thankful. What brings us joy should also move us to give thanks. That is one way to rejoice before God and to give our joy a spiritual purpose.

Paul speaks as if he could hardly put into words how thankful he was to God, or how much he rejoiced for their sake. Still, he was careful that God should receive the glory for the comfort he gained from their welfare. His heart was enlarged with love for them and with gratitude to God, and he wanted to express both as well as he could. Our thankfulness to God is still weak in this life, but in heaven we will give thanks far better than we can now.

He also prayed for them night and day, that is, evening and morning, or very often throughout the day and night (1 Thessalonians 3:10). Even in the middle of daily work or rest, he lifted his heart to God in prayer. This is how we should pray always. His prayer was earnest and intense. When we are most thankful, we should also be most given to prayer. Those for whom we give thanks still need our prayers.

Even the people who are our greatest comfort in this world must remain objects of our care, because this is a world of temptation and weakness. Paul still saw something lacking in their faith, and he wanted to come and help complete what was missing. The best people still have something lacking in their faith. Sometimes the lack is in what they know or believe, because they do not yet understand all the truths of God fully. Sometimes it is in the clarity and confidence of their faith, because some darkness and doubt remain. And sometimes it is in the effects of faith, because its fruits are not yet as clear or complete as they should be.

For that reason, the ministry of the word and the ordinances, that is, the public means of grace Christ has given to the church, are helpful and should be desired and used to strengthen what is lacking in our faith.