“Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker[a] in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.”
Two things summarize Timothy’s agenda. First, to establish the faith of those who wavered. Second, his mission was to exhort others to press on without being moved by the afflictions. Such tests are the proof of one’s faith and genuineness of love. They were “destined” for it (v. 3) and had been forewarned before it came so they would be prepared as much as possible. Not only was Paul forwarned as an apostle (cf. Acts 9:16), but all godly people will suffer (2 Tim. 3:12).
Paul had left Thessalonica in a very distressing situation, as seen in Acts 17. It appears Paul would have stayed if not for the insistence of brethren to flee. Since leaving them, he is left in suspense, not knowing what has become of them. It was so pressing on his mind that he sent Timothy to “know of their faith, lest by some means the tempter tempted them and his labor be in vain” (v. 5). The last memory of them was during a trying time and he is left to imagine the outcome of their hardships.
Timothy sent Paul an encouraging report of their faith and love and that they remembered them kindly (v. 6). That report brought Paul a big boost of encouragement in the midst of all their distress and affliction. News of this kind is more refreshing than a cool breeze sweeping down on a hot summer day. When we question the fruit of our labor and wonder if it’s in vain, we are comforted to see our children in the faith enduring the trials and hardships of life and confirming their love and longing to be reunited. Such a report was worth all the pain, insults, and distresses placed upon them. He expresses it like this: “Now, we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? (verses 8-10). John writes, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth (3 John 1:4).