1 Thessalonians
3 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
3 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it
best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker
in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by
these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept
telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you
well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I
sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter
had tempted you and that our labours might have been in vain.
Timothy’s encouraging report
6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and
has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always
have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long
to see you.7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our
distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really
live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God
enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God
because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly
that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord
Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow
for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be
blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus
comes with all his holy ones.
Matthew
Henry's Commentary
Verses
11-13
In
these words we have the earnest prayer of the apostle. He desired to be
instrumental in the further benefit of the Thessalonians; and the only way to
be so while at a distance was by prayer for them, together with his writing or
sending to them. He desired that their faith might be perfected, which he could
not be the proper cause or author of; for he pretended not to dominion over
their faith, nor to have the donation of it, and he therefore concludes with
prayer for them. Observe,
I.
Whom he prays to, namely, God and Christ. Prayer is a part of religious
worship, and all religious worship is due unto God only. Prayer is here made to
God, even the Father and our Father; and also to Christ, even our Lord Jesus
Christ. Therefore Jesus Christ our Lord is God, even as God our Father is God.
Prayer is to be offered to God as our Father. So Christ taught his disciples to
pray; and so the Spirit of adoption prompts them to pray, to cry, Abba Father.
Prayer is not only to be offered in the name of Christ, but offered up to
Christ himself, as our Lord and our Saviour.
II.
What he prays for, with respect to himself and his fellow-labourers, and on
behalf of the Thessalonians.
1.
He prays that himself and fellow-labourers might have a prosperous journey to
them by the will of God, that their way might be directed to them, 1 Thess.
3:11. The taking of a journey to this or that place, one would think, is a
thing depending so much on a man’s own will, and lies so much in his own power,
that Paul needed not by prayer to go to God about it. But the apostle knew that
in God we live, and move, and have our being, that we depend upon God in all
our motions and actions, as well as for the continuance of life and being, that
divine Providence orders all our affairs and that it is owing thereto if we
prosper therein, that God our Father directs and orders his children whither
they shall go and what they shall do, that our Lord Jesus Christ in a
particular manner directs the motions of his faithful ministers, those stars
which he holds in his right hand. Let us acknowledge God in all our ways, and
he will direct our paths.
2.
He prays for the prosperity of the Thessalonians. Whether he should have an
opportunity of coming to them or not, yet he earnestly prayed for the prosperity
of their souls. And there are two things he desired for them, which we should
desire for ourselves and friends:—(1.) That they might increase and abound in
love (1 Thess. 3:12), in love to one another and in love to all men. Note,
Mutual love is required of all Christians, and not only that they love one
another, but that they also have a charitable disposition of mind and due
concern for the welfare of all men. Love is of God, and is the fulfilling of
the gospel as well as of the law. Timothy brought good tidings of their faith,
yet something was lacking therein; and of their charity, yet the apostle prays
that this might increase and abound. Note, We have reason to desire to grow in
every grace, and have need of the Spirit’s influence in order to growth in
grace; and the way to obtain this is by prayer. We are beholden to God not only
for the stock put into our hands at first, but for the improvement of it also.
And to our prayer we must add endeavour. To excite this in the Thessalonians
the apostle again mentions his love, his abounding love, towards them. The more
we are beloved, the more affectionate we should be.
(2.) That they might be established unblamable
in holiness, 1 Thess. 3:13. This spiritual benefit is mentioned as an effect of
increasing and abounding love: To the end that he (the Lord) may establish your
hearts. Note, The more we grow and abound in grace, and particularly in the
grace of love, the more we are established and confirmed in it. Note also,
Holiness is required of all those who would go to heaven, and therein we must
be unblamable; that is, we must act in every thing so that we may not in the
least contradict the profession we make of holiness. Our desire should be to
have our hearts established in holiness before God, and be preserved safe, to
the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ; and that we may be unblamable before God,
even the Father, now, and be presented blameless before the throne of his
glory, when the Lord Jesus shall come with all his saints. Note, [1.] The Lord
Jesus will certainly come, and come in his glory. [2.] When he comes, his
saints will come with him: They shall appear with him in glory. [3.] Then the
excellency as well as the necessity of holiness will appear, because without
this no hearts shall be established at that day, nor shall any one be
unblamable, or avoid everlasting condemnation.
Asbury
Bible Commentary
III.
First Prayer (3:11-13)
Here
Paul introduces the themes of holiness, love, and the Lord's return. He addresses
his prayer both to God and Christ. The worship of the early church, including
instances like this when prayer is offered to Jesus, laid the foundations for
the later Trinitarian doctrine.
The
focus comes in the second petition: that love would increase and overflow. Love
must be expressed within and without the community of believers. Once again
Paul cites the missionaries' example.
The
intimate tie between love and holy living is central both to Pauline and
Wesleyan thought. Love, the source of holy living, prevents a legalistic
holiness that is impervious to the situations of others. Equally, a settled
holiness of heart is necessary if the Christian is to demonstrate love in
action. Christian holiness is both freedom from sin and the presence of love
(see McCown, 27; Bruce, 72).
Paul
prays that they would be found blameless and holy at Jesus' coming. But this
does not mean holiness must await the final judgment. Because Paul expected the
Lord's return in the immediate future, he urges them to prepare themselves now.
Holiness could not wait. It also has a future consummation, at the Lord's
coming. Holiness is both present reality and future hope.
The Bible Panorama
1 Thessalonians 3
V 1–5: TRIBULATION The Thessalonians have gone through tribulation and afflictions.
Paul sent Timothy to them to encourage them, edify them, and let them know that
such trials are normal for the Christian church. Paul is concerned that Satan
may tempt them to compromise or abandon their faith because of their
tribulations.
V 6–8: TIMOTHY Timothy
returned to Paul with good news of their progress, especially in faith and
love. They remember Paul, and want to see him and his fellow workers. Paul is
also going through afflictions, and this news comforts him. He lives for the
joy of seeing his converts stand and glorify Christ.
V 9–11: THANKS He describes the joy and rejoicing which lead him to thank God for
the Thessalonians. His round-the-clock prayer emphasis is that he may see them
and help them in their faith in Christ. He continues to pray that God will
direct his way to them.
V 12–13: TIES Meanwhile Paul prays that their love will strengthen towards one
another and that they will be established in holiness. He reminds them that
Christ is coming again with His saints.
We train our
people to stay."
That was the
incredible answer to my question on what happens when persecution becomes too
much for the church planter. Just over a week ago since I returned from the
church planting movement in the sub-continent and that answer remains in my
thoughts.
1 Thessalonians 3
Paul had told them persecution was coming and it came.
Now he was concerned about their reaction to it.
What did they do? They remained steadfast.
This is the joy of the third chapter.
Is it tough today?
We are so conditioned now for the next chapter. Prophesies are about the next season. Destinies are in our mind.
For those persecuted: we train our people to stay.
Life isn't always about moving on.
Sometimes it is about digging in and staying.
1 Thessalonians 3
Paul had told them persecution was coming and it came.
Now he was concerned about their reaction to it.
What did they do? They remained steadfast.
This is the joy of the third chapter.
Is it tough today?
We are so conditioned now for the next chapter. Prophesies are about the next season. Destinies are in our mind.
For those persecuted: we train our people to stay.
Life isn't always about moving on.
Sometimes it is about digging in and staying.
7923
fellowship, in the gospel
A
mutual participation in the blessings of God’s grace. Believers are united with
one another on the basis of their common reception of the benefits of
salvation.
Fellowship
and the community of God’s people
God
calls out a community of people, for fellowship with himself Dt 7:6 See also Ex
19:5-6; 1Pe 2:5,9-11
God
will bless a people united in fellowship Mt 18:19-20; 2Ch 7:14; Jer 31:23-25;
1Co 11:29-34 Wrong relationships between God’s people hinder the flow of his
blessing.
God
will restore fellowship with his scattered people Mic 2:12 See also Isa
11:12-13; Jer 3:18; Jer 31:1; Jer 50:4-5
Sharing
in God’s grace
Fellowship
in a common blessing Ps 106:4-5 See also Nu 10:32; Jos 22:19
Fellowship
in a common salvation Jude 3 See also 1Co 9:23 sharing in the blessings of the
gospel; Php 1:7 sharing in God’s grace; Tit 1:4 sharing a common faith; Heb 3:1
sharing a common calling; 1Pe 5:1 sharing a common hope; 2Pe 1:4 sharing the
divine nature; 1Jn 1:7 sharing in sanctification
Fellowship
in a common inheritance Col 1:12 See also Ro 8:17; 1Pe 3:7
Fellowship
in God’s family Heb 2:11 See also Mal 2:10; Mt 6:9 pp Lk 11:2 the family prayer
in which believers together address God as Father; Mt 12:49-50 pp Mk 3:34-35 pp
Lk 8:21; Mt 23:8-9
Fellowship
between Jew and Gentile Eph 3:6 See also Ro 11:17; Ro 15:27; Eph 2:16-18
Fellowship
in holding a common truth
2Th
2:15 See also Ps 119:63; 1Co 11:2; 1Co 15:2-3; 2Ti 2:2; 2Ti 3:14; Tit 2:15
Fellowship
in union with Christ
1Co
10:16-17; Eph 2:19-22 See also Ro 12:5; 1Co 12:12,27; Eph 4:4-5; Col 1:15; 1Pe
2:4-5
Fellowship
through the Holy Spirit
1Co
12:13 See also Eze 36:27-28; 2Co 13:14; Eph 4:3; Php 2:1
Some
Key Scriptures on Fellowship
1.
God calls out a
community of people, for fellowship with himself
1
Peter 2:4-10New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
The
living Stone and a chosen people
4
As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by humans but chosen by God and
precious to him – 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a
spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:
‘See,
I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and
the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.’[b]
7
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe
‘The
stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,’[c]
8
and,
‘A
stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.’[d]
They
stumble because they disobey the message – which is also what they were
destined for.
9 But you
are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special
possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of
darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are
the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received
mercy.
2.
God will bless a people
united in fellowship
Matthew
18:18-20New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
18
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be[a] bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth will be[b] loosed in heaven.
19
‘Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they
ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.’
3.
Fellowship in a common
blessing
Psalm
106:1-5New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
1
Praise the Lord.[a]
Give
thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures for ever.
2
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord
or fully declare his praise?
3
Blessed are those who act justly,
who always do what is right.
4
Remember me, Lord, when you show favour to your people,
come to my aid when you save them,
5
that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may share in the joy of your nation
and join your inheritance in giving praise.
4.
Fellowship in a common
salvation
1
Corinthians 9:19-27New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
Paul’s
use of his freedom
19
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,
to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the
Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself
am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having
the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s
law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To
the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people
so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of
the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
The
need for self-discipline
24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the
prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the
games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last;
but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever. 26 Therefore I do not run
like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27
No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have
preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
5.
Fellowship in a common
inheritance
Colossians
1:3-13New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
Thanksgiving
and prayer
3 We
always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4
because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have
for all God’s people – 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up
for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of
the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit
and growing throughout the whole world – just as it has been doing among you
since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from
Epaphras, our dear fellow servant,[a] who is a faithful minister of Christ on
our[b] behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
9 For this
reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.
We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all
the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[c] 10 so that you may live
a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every
good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all
power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and
patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[d]
to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For
he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom
of the Son he loves,
6.
Fellowship in holding a
common truth
2
Thessalonians 2:13-17New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
Stand
firm
13 But we ought always
to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose
you as firstfruits[a] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit
and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
15
So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings[b] we
passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
16 May our Lord Jesus
Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us
eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen
you in every good deed and word.
The
Biblical Meaning of Fellowship from Bible.org
As
we go back into history and dig deep into the original languages of the Bible,
we will discover seven significant facts that help us to understand God’s
intended meaning of the word, fellowship.
The
first fact concerns the meaning of the Greek root. Our English word,
“fellowship” is the translation of the Greek word, “koinonia.” This Greek word
is derived from the root, “koinos,” which was a prefix in ancient Greek. If you
were to add this prefix to words meaning “living,” “owning a purse,” “a
dispute,” and “mother,” you would get words meaning “living in community
together,” “owning a purse in common,” “a public dispute,” and “having a mother
in common.” So we see that the root of the word, “fellowship,” means “to hold
something in common.”
Our
second fact relates to the usage of the word, “fellowship.” The Greek word,
“koinonia,” was used to describe corporations, labor guilds, partners in a law
firm, and the most intimate of marriage relationships. From the usage of the
word, we can conclude that fellowship is a word denoting a relationship that is
dependent on more than one individual. It is an interdependent relationship.
A
third fact is that “fellowship” was never used to describe man’s relationship
to God before the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell the church. It is an
exclusively post-pentecost relationship.
A
fourth fact about the meaning of “fellowship” can be gleaned by comparing it to
its New Testament synonyms. These are words which have overlapping but not the
identical meaning of koinonia. The four synonyms of koinonia in the New
Testament are philos, which means “related by love for outward
characteristics”; hetairos, meaning a sharer in a common enterprise; sunergos,
meaning a fellow-worker; and metochos, a participant. Each of these words
denotes a unity which is expressed outwardly. This is true of fellowship but by
contrast, fellowship is also an inner unity. This inner aspect of fellowship
may be seen in verses such as 1 Corinthians 1:9:
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