1 Thessalonians 3:1

1. For διο Β has the impossible διοτι, probably through transcriptional assimilation to μηκετι.

ηυδοκησαμεν, in אBP. Cf. ηυδοκουμεν, the reading of B in 1 Thessalonians 2:8; also Romans 15:26-27; 1 Corinthians 10:5, where WH adopt ηυδ- from אB*, אA, and AB*C respectively; and 1 Corinthians 1:21, where these editors retain ευδ, C alone of the uncials having ηυδ.; in Galatians 1:15, A alone has ηυδ. Outside of Paul, the augment in this verb is ill-attested.

1. Διὸ μηκέτι στέγοντες. Wherefore no longer bearing (it)—viz. the pain of bereavement, the hindering of their return (1 Thessalonians 2:17 f.), and the concern the Apostles felt for their converts left under a storm of persecution (1 Thessalonians 3:3) and with a still imperfect faith (1 Thessalonians 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:10). Διό has a like comprehensive reference in 1 Thessalonians 3:11. On μή with participles, see Lightfoot ad loc.; the clause does not state a bare fact, as οὐκέτι στέγοντες would have done, but the fact which motived the action taken; cf. Winer-Moulton, pp. 606 ff. On στέγω, repeated in 1 Thessalonians 3:5, see Lightfoot again. Kindred to Latin tego, to cover, the verb means both to hold in one’s feelings (Plato Gorgias 493 c), and to hold out against the pressure of circumstances: either sense is appropriate here; the latter accords with 1 Corinthians 9:12; 1 Corinthians 13:7—the other N.T. exx.—and with later Greek usage, exemplified by Philo in Flaccum 974 c (§ 9), μηκέτι στέγειν δυνάμενοι τὰς ἐνδείας.

ηὐδοκήσαμεν καταλειφθῆναι ἐν Ἀθήναις μόνοι, we thought good (or determined) to be left behind in Athens alone: censuimus ut (Calvin), or optimum duximus ut (Estius) Athenis soli relinqueremur. For the force of the plural we, and for the movements of the missionary party at this time, see Introd., pp. xx. f. Εὐδοκέω implies not the bare determination (ἔδοξεν ἡμῖν), but a conclusion come to heartily and with goodwill (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 5:8, &c.)—often used of God’s “good pleasure” in His saving acts and choices (Luke 12:32, &c.). Κατα- adds intensity to λείπω; the simple verb however only occurs intransitively in the N.T. Μόνοι indicates that Timothy was missed; Paul and Silas were “lonely” without him: cf. Philippians 2:20; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2 ff; 2 Timothy 4:9 ff., indicating the value set upon Timothy’s company. To give up Timothy, their ὑπηρέτης (cf. Acts 13:5), was a sacrifice; both the older men, probably, found a comfort in his presence which they could not in the same way give to each other. Timothy, as well as Silas, must previously have rejoined St Paul at Athens, according to the instructions of Acts 17:15.