I Thessalonians 3
Dear RTB’ers,
Reminder: The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea… (Acts 17:10) Paul had spent only three weeks in Thessalonica. That was enough time to win a few converts and to begin relationships, but his sudden, unexpected departure put an end to his teaching and created in him a real longing for those whom he had left behind. He went to Berea and Athens, spending enough time in those cities to preach and win a few converts, then went on to Corinth. In spite of ministry successes in Berea and Athens and Corinth, Paul’s Thessalonians have not been far from his mind or his heart. So he sends Timothy to check on them. Those few relationships that he had developed in Thessalonica must have been strong indeed!
Paul’s prayers and concerns answered: But now that Timothy has come to us from you … we have been comforted about you through your faith. (vv. 6-7) And Paul continues to pray for them: we pray … night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith… (v. 10) Yes, he will see them face-to-face (Acts 20:1-3), but it will have been after about a five-year separation.
Blessings!