What gives us joy? What encourages us? For the Apostle Paul it was the news that those whom he had taught about Christ were standing firm in their faith. Paul had been thrown out of the city of Thessalonica after a very short time. Satan had prevented his return. He was worried that the new believers would be tempted and would not have the strength to remain faithful to Christ. Since he could not go himself, Paul sent Timothy to see how the church at Thessalonica was doing. In his first inspired letter to the Thessalonians, chapter 3, verses 6 through13 he writes, “But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you; for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God; night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you; and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you, to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”
Timothy’s report about the followers of Christ in Thessalonica was a great relief to Paul. He calls it ‘glad news.’ Paul mentions two reasons why it was good news. One reason was in regard to their faith. In spite of all the trouble and persecution they had experienced, they were standing firm. Nothing had been able to shake them. Timothy’s report made it plain, however, that in spite of standing firm, their faith was not as complete as it needed to be. This was only to be expected. After all, Paul had been forced out of the city after a very short time. He had not had the time to give them much teaching. This was one reason Paul was so anxious to return to Thessalonica. He wanted to supply what was lacking in the faith of the believers.
The other good news Timothy’s report contained was about the love which the followers of Christ in Thessalonica had. This love expressed itself in the good memories they had of Paul and his time among them. Even though Paul’s ministry among them had resulted in bringing persecution down on them, they appreciated what he had done for them and still cherished his memory and longed to see him again.
Having heard such good things, it is no wonder that Paul was encouraged. Though he, himself was experiencing distress and persecution, he could thank God and rejoice about the faith and love among the believers at Thessalonica. His efforts and work among them had not been in vain.
Though Paul rejoices and thanks God for the faith and love shown by the followers of Christ at Thessalonica, it is interesting to note that he does not mention their hope. It is true that in chapter 1, verse 3, Paul wrote that they did have hope in Christ, but hope is not mentioned in the report which Timothy brought back. The three qualities of faith, hope and love should be dominant characteristics of the followers of Christ. For example, Scripture says, “Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) In another place it says, “…always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you…” (1 Peter 3:15) Jesus told His disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Since this is so, why doesn’t Paul commend the followers of Christ at Thessalonica for their hope? From chapter 4 of this letter the reason seems to be that they had a serious misunderstanding about Jesus’ return and what happens to believers after they die. Though they believed that Jesus would come again and take His followers to heaven, they apparently thought that only those believers who were still physically alive at the time of Christ’s return would get to enjoy heaven. They did not understand that all who die in Christ will rise again and will live with Him forever. If this is an accurate description, then it is easy to see why the followers of Christ at Thessalonica had little hope. As Paul writes in another place, “If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.” (1 Corinthians 15:19) Later in this letter Paul will try to correct the believers in Thessalonica regarding their misunderstanding.
Paul closes this section of his letter with a prayer. His prayer is that God will make it possible for him to visit the believers once again. In addition to this, he prays that the believer’s love, not only for each other, but for everyone will increase. Followers of Christ should certainly love one another, but their love should also extend to those outside the faith.
Paul also prays that the believers will be holy and blameless before God. While this involves actions, as Paul will point out in the next chapter, it is interesting that he links holiness and being blameless to their hearts being strengthened (verse 13). In biblical usage, the term ‘heart’ does not usually refer to the part of our body which pumps our blood but, rather, to that part of our moral being which contains our will and intentions. In other words, Paul is praying that the followers of Christ at Thessalonica will not only do the right things, but that they will do them for the right reason. They will do what is right not merely because they are commanded to do so, but because they want to. It is also worth noting in this passage that holiness is linked to love. This is an important principle which we can use to evaluate actions. The world has debased the word ‘love’ by using it to describe lust and all kinds of ungodly practices. That which is truly love, however, will always lead a person towards holiness. If it does not, then it is not love.