1 Thessalonians 3:1

When we could no longer forbear

(μηκετ στεγοντες). Στεγω is old verb to cover from στεγη, roof (Mark 2:4), to cover with silence, to conceal, to keep off, to endure as here and 1 Corinthians 9:12; 1 Corinthians 13:7. In the papyri in this sense (Moulton and Milligan's Vocabulary). Μηκετ usual negative with participle in the Koine rather than ουκετ.We thought it good

(ηυδοκησαμεν). Either literary plural as in 1 Thessalonians 2:18 or Paul and Silas as more likely. If so, both Timothy and Silas came to Athens (Acts 17:15), but Timothy was sent ( we sent , επεμψαμεν, verse 1 Thessalonians 3:2) right back to Thessalonica and later Paul sent Silas on to Beroea or Thessalonica (verse 1 Thessalonians 3:5,I sent

, επεμψα). Then both Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia to Corinth (Acts 18:5).Alone

(μονο). Including Silas.God's minister

(διακονον του θεου). See on Matthew 22:13 for this interesting word, here in general sense not technical sense of deacon. Some MSS. havefellow-worker

(συνεργον). Alreadyapostle

in 1 Thessalonians 2:7 and nowbrother, minister

(and possiblyfellow-worker

).