Paul's Exhortations to the Thessalonian Church Volume 15

Paul Sends Timothy to Establish & Strengthen them in their Faith Part 2

1 Thessalonians 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. KJV

Paul now continues on in his letter reminding them of one of the main reasons Brother Timothy was indeed sent back to them (at the sacrifice of Paul's comfort) and it was for the comfort and consolation of them the new Thessalonian believers. Paul knew how fierce the devil would continue being in trying every method to instill fear into the hearts of the new believers in Thessalonica, for he had already shown himself to them at the very beginning of Paul, Silas, and Timothy arriving into the city to preach the Gospel of Christ as we already documented in the last two studies/commentaries (Acts 17:1-9), therefore, Timothy's task is to set their minds at ease concerning this opposition against them as Paul first says here with these words, "That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto." (1 Thessalonians 3:3) (KJV). This message was not knew to these believers in Thessalonica, because Paul had imparted, informed, and instructed them of this very fact concerning their faith in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and the response they would receive from many who are still outside of faith in Christ.

Paul wants Timothy there in order to encourage, exhort, and exalt them into such strong and abiding enduring faith that they not allow anyone to move them away from their belief in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul uses here a little English phrase 'should be moved' to describe his feelings in this regard and this little English phrase is translated by one Greek word saino meaning to shake (figuratively disturb): - move. Paul uses the English word 'afflictions' to declare what method the devil is trying to use to move them away from Christ and this English word is translated by the Greek word thlipsis meaning pressure (literally or figuratively): - afflicted, anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble. In other words, the Apostle Paul has sent Timothy to them to keep them from allowing the devil (through his two legged devils coming against them with physical afflictions and persecutions that would make them afraid to stand for our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ.

Timothy was to instruct them on how to respond to said opposition exactly as Paul had instructed the Roman believers to do with these words, "Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest {and} proper {and} noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God's] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good." (Romans 12:17-21) (Amplified Bible). Paul now reminds them that it is the 'will of God' for them/us to encounter such opposition to the Gospel of Christ with the use of the little English phrase 'we are appointed' which is translated by one Greek word keimai and this word is the middle voice of a primary verb meaning to lie outstretched (literally or figuratively): - be (appointed, laid up, made, set), lay, lie.

In other words, since they/we are now part of the Body of Christ, then we can expect the devil (who hates Christ) to come against those of us who are His with the physical expression of that hatred for Him through the use of human instruments in applying the pressure, punishment, and persecution against and upon the object of his hatred, even as Paul declared to the believers in Philippi when he said to them, "For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ's sake not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him, but also to suffer in His behalf." (Philippians 1:29) (Amplified Bible) and also because this is exactly how our Lord Jesus Himself was treated as He (Christ) reminded us with these words, "If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would treat you with affection {and} would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world [no longer one with it], but I have chosen (selected) you out of the world, the world hates (detests) you. Remember that I told you, A servant is not greater than his master [is not superior to him]. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word {and} obeyed My teachings, they will also keep {and} obey yours. But they will do all this to you [inflict all this suffering on you] because of [your bearing] My name {and} on My account, for they do not know {or} understand the One Who sent Me." (John 15:18-21) (Amplified Bible).

"The Greek is literally said of dogs wagging the tail in fawning on one. Therefore Tittmann explains it, 'That no man should, amidst his calamities, be allured by the flattering hope of a more pleasant life to abandon his duty.' So Elsner and Bengel, 'cajoled out of his faith.' In afflictions, relatives and opponents combine with the ease-loving heart itself in flatteries, which it needs strong faith to overcome. We always candidly told you so. None but a religion from God would have held out such a trying prospect to those who should embrace it, and yet succeed in winning converts." JFB Commentary

"The Apostles were so far from flattering people with an expectation of worldly prosperity in religion that, on the contrary, they told them plainly they must count upon trouble in the flesh. And herein they followed the example of their great Master, the Author or our faith. Besides, it might prove a confirmation of their faith, when they perceived that it only happened to them as was predicted before. To know their faith, that so he might inform the Apostles whether they remained stedfast under all their sufferings, whether their faith failed or not, because, if their faith did not fail, they would be able to stand their ground against the tempter and all his temptations: their faith would be a shield, to defend them against all the fiery darts of the wicked, Ephesians 6:16." Matthew Henry

"We are quickly approaching the arrival of 'Fall' and with its arrival comes Football Season. In the game of Football, the object of the game is to stop your opponent from reaching the goal line to score a touchdown, well just like in this game, we Christians have an opponent (the devil) and he will constantly, continuously, and consistently oppose every Christian who lifts up the Name of Jesus Christ and the Word of God, therefore, we just like every offense in football must navigate through the defence in order to reach the end zone just as the Apostle Paul declared to the Christian converts in the cities of Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch with these words concerning our perseverance, 'When they had preached the good news (Gospel) to that town and made disciples of many of the people, they went back to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch, Establishing {and} strengthening the souls {and} the hearts of the disciples, urging {and} warning {and} encouraging them to stand firm in the faith, and [telling them] that it is through many hardships {and} tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.' (Acts 14:21-22) (Amplified Bible)." Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…