1 Thessalonians 3:3

“that no man be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that here unto we are appointed”

“That”: The hoped for end result of Timothy's mission. “No man”: God is concerned about the salvation of just one soul (Luke 15:7; 2 Peter 3:9). “Be moved”: The word translated "moved" (“disturbed” NASV), means: “Was used at first of dogs wagging their tail, and so came to mean to ‘flatter, fawn upon, and therefore deceive'” (Stott p. 65). “Here Paul seems to have in mind the possibility that, while the Thessalonians were in the midst of their troubles, some of their enemies, by fair words, should turn them out of the right way. There had appeared to be an easy way out of their troubles” (Morris p. 101). Hendriksen notes that the unbelieving Gentiles may have been saying something like, “We can fully understand how it was that you were led astray by these enthusiastic foreigners. You were led to believe that they had your interest at heart. But their sudden departure and failure to return clearly proves that they are not concerned about you at all. Moreover, the things that have happened to you since their coming shows that the gods are not pleased with you (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Why exchange that which is tried and tested for something novel? Rejoin our ranks, the ranks of those who have always admired and respected you, and we'll promise you that we'll never mention the subject again” (pp. 84-85). We must not forget that error can be very persuasive (Romans 16:18). We also need to be aware that suffering, trials and tribulations can "soften" us up to believing something that is not true. When we are suffering, we tend to be willing to listen to presentations that flatter us, such as “Look at all your going through, you deserve some latitude in serving God”. We seem to start thinking that suffering gives us the right to engage in sin, disobey God, modify the rules, or that suffering releases us from accountability, that is, “God didn't come through for me, therefore. don't owe Him anything”.

One writer noted, “When things do not go well, especially for an extended time, when our heart is filled with more pain than joy, the temptation to let our desire for relief become. demand is strongest People desperate for relief eagerly grab onto strategies for relief they might recognize as foolish in moments of more sober reflection. Unremitting struggle tends to blur our lines of moral distinctions. Things that are clearly wrong become less offensive to our conscience when they provide our only hope for relief. When we demand relief for our thirst now, we're in danger of slipping from. biblical ethic into. morality of pragmatism: whatever eases our pain is justified”. [Note:. Inside Out. Larry Crabb. pp. 138,139, 142,143.]

“For yourselves know”: Many of our problems could be solved, if we just applied what we already know. “That hereunto we are appointed”: Carefully note that "appointed" is not in the sense that precise sufferings are predestined, rather that Christianity and trials often go together, because the world hates the message God has brought (John 3:19; John 16:33; John 15:18). Sufferings should not take Christian's by surprise, because the message in the Bible is clear, the faithful Christian will face opposition (Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 3:12). “It is very interesting to learn that. regular topic of Paul's instruction to converts was the inevitability of suffering” (Stott p. 65). “If. person knows that something unpleasant is part of his destiny, something that is inevitable, then he will brace himself to meet it and will not think that it is. sign that he is on the wrong track or be taken by surprise by it” (Marshall p. 92). See Matthew 5:11; Matthew 10:17; 1 Peter 1:6; 1 Peter 3:13; 1 Peter 4:12; Revelation 2:10. Part of the preachers' task is to jog the memory of his listeners (Galatians 5:19; 2 Peter 1:12).