1 Thessalonians 3:5

Text (1 Thessalonians 3:5)

5 For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.

Translation and Paraphrase

5.

Because of this (tribulation which I knew would befall you), I also, when I could no longer conceal (and endure) (my fears about what might have happened to you) sent (Timothy unto you), so that I could know (how) your faith (had held out), lest by any means the tempter (Satan) had (successfully) tempted you, and our toil (among you) had become in vain (because you had fallen away from the faith).

Notes (1 Thessalonians 3:5)

1.

The fears of a true minister that Satan may have destroyed the faith of his converts can be an overpowering burden to him. Paul's fears about the Thessalonians were so intense that he could not even preach in Corinth, until Timothy and Silas arrived with the reassuring news from Thessalonica. Acts 18:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:6-7.

2.

This verse is so closely joined to the preceding verses that it cannot be understood without reading them, but when those verses are read along with this one, this one becomes very plain.

The cause which made Paul send Timothy to learn about their faith, is the tribulation (mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4) which he knew would befall them and indeed had.

3.

Paul was mainly concerned about the faith of the Thessalonians. He sent Timothy to learn about their faith, 1 Thessalonians 3:7. Their faith was his main concern rather than their physical welfare or even their survival. There is a rather obvious point in this for us.

4,

Of course, the tempter is Satan. 1 Thessalonians 2:18. Satan's temptations could have turned the Thessalonians away from the faith.

5.

Satan tempts us by any means. Some of his methods are smooth and slick. Some of them are iron-fisted and cruel. Satan can tempt people by incontinency. 1 Corinthians 7:5. Satan beguiles and corrupts us from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3.

6.

When Satan's temptations are successful, the preacher's labor is in vain, (The word labor used here is kopos. For its meaning, see notes on 1 Thessalonians 1:3, par. 2.) Paul often expressed the fear that his work might be in vain.

Galatians 2:2Let by any means I should run, or had run in vain.

1 Corinthians 3:15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Philippians 2:16That I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

7.

The fact that Paul's work among the Thessalonians would have been in vain if Satan had successfully tempted them, shows that people CAN be lost, even after they are once saved.

No one can deny that the Thessalonians were saved. They were elect. 1 Thessalonians 1:4. They had the joy of the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 1:6.

As long as they remained saved, Paul's work among them could not have been in vain. The fact that Paul feared that his work among them might be in vain proves that they could become lost again. They were elect, but not unconditionally elect.

STUDY SUGGESTION

Turn now to the Did You Learn? questions at the end of chapter 3 [see Chapter Comments], and see if you can answer questions 10 to 18.