Longing and Joy

Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica ended abruptly when the unbelieving Jews instigated the people of the city against the missionaries. Because of this strong opposition, the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night (Acts 17:5-10). Since the church in Thessalonica was a very young church, Paul was intensely concerned for the believers and longed to return to them. In this passage, he relates his earnest desire to see the believers and the exceeding joy after hearing the good news about them.

1. “Taken away” (2:17) literally means “orphaned.”
2. “Crown” (2:19): “Not a royal crown, but a wreath used on festive occasions or as the prize in the Greek games.” ¹
3. “Coming” (2:19; 3:13): “Here the noun is parousia, which in extrabiblical Greek sometimes meant a ruler’s visit to a certain place. Parousia comes from two words: ‘to be’ and and ‘present.’ It may point to the moment of arrival to initiate a visit or it may focus on the stay initiated by the arrival.” ²
4. “Left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy” (3:1): Because of the persecution in Berea, the brethren there sent Paul to Athens while Silas and Timothy stayed behind (Acts 17:13-15). After Silas and Timothy joined Paul again in Athens, Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica to strengthen the church there.
5. “Establish” (3:2): “In Greek classical literature the word was generally used in the literal sense of putting a buttress on a building. In the NT it is mainly used figuratively, as here.” ³
6. “I” (3:5): “Paul uses the Greek emphatic pronoun (elsewhere used only in 2:18) to bring out his deep concern.” ⁴
7. “Exceedingly” (3:10): “Translates a strong and unusual Greek compound word (found elsewhere in the NT only in 5:13; Eph 3:20) that brings out Paul’s passionate longing.” ⁵