1 Thessalonians 3:1

“Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone”

“Wherefore”: Connecting this section back to the previous verses. “The sense of verse. is: In view of the fact that our immediate attempt to return to you was frustrated by Satan, and that, nevertheless, we could not stand or endure the separation any longer” (Hendriksen p. 82).

“We”: Quite. bit of discussion centers around this simple word. The question being, does Paul include Silas in this "we"? After leaving Thessalonica, Paul, Silas and eventually Timothy are found in Berea (Acts 17:10; Acts 17:14). Silas and Timothy remain in Berea, while Paul is sent to Athens (1 Thessalonians 17:15). From the Thessalonian letter we learn that at least Timothy was able to reach Paul in Athens (Acts 17:15), but was soon sent back to Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:1). From Acts 18:1 we also learn that both Timothy and Silas eventually met up with Paul in Corinth (1 Thessalonians 18:5). Now the "we" in 1 Thessalonians 3:1 may include Silas, but if it does Silas quickly left after Timothy, for both Silas and Timothy met up with Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:5). And 1 Thessalonians 3:5 seems to indicate that the "we" of 1 Thessalonians 3:1 is an editorial "we", for Paul says, "when. could endure it no longer,. also sent ". “The best solution may be to assume that the thought is expressed loosely and that Paul means ‘We' (all three of us, or Timothy and myself) resolved that. should be left at Athens alone and that Timothy should be sent to you” (Marshall p. 90).

“No longer forbear”: “Endure it no longer” (Wey). “Paul's repeated efforts to revisit Thessalonica were made more frustrating by the lack of news about the church there. So the suspense grew until we could stand it no longer. Something simply had to be done to relieve the tension” (Stott p. 64). “His longing for some personal communication from the Thessalonians became intolerable” (Vincent p. 32). “We thought it good”: Compare with 1 Thessalonians 3:5 “I also sent”. “I determined willingly” (Con). This is in contrast to the accusation that Paul did not care about them. He was intensely worried about their welfare, and he believed that they could use the valuable assistance and fellowship of Timothy, rather than himself. “Left behind in Athens alone”: Which was not an easy situation for Paul. In. city surrounded with idolatry and skeptics, Paul found himself alone, yet he would rather be in that situation, than worrying about the church in Thessalonica. “He could bear another bout of loneliness better than. further period of suspense over the Thessalonians” (Stott p. 64). Which means that Paul would rather be alone than worry about the Thessalonians being alone and without spiritual support. Morris notes, “We must not think that it was easy for him to stay and preach in Athens. Many of its inhabitants were cultured people. Not. few were cynical and ready to mock at such. gospel as Paul preached. Paul was not insensitive, and he did not relish the prospect of working alone in such. place. For the good of the work he realized that it was necessary for Timothy to go, but this verse gives us. glimpse of what it cost him” (p. 99).

We need to realize that Christianity is. religion that will cost us something. We cannot have the religion of Jesus Christ, without forming close attachments to our brethren (Romans 12:15) The person who becomes. Christian must be willing to be hurt, willing to have anxiety for the souls of others, willing to become emotionally involved. Paul placed the needs of the body of Christ, ahead of his own (2 Corinthians 12:15).