1 Thessalonians 3:6-13--Timothy's Encouraging Report

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
English Standard Version

Timothy's Encouraging Report
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you-- 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

​11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

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Lat time we talked about how Paul was concerned for his spiritual children that he had left them in a vulnerable state and that one of the many spiritual predators out there would try to devour them.  He was so concerned for them that he sent Timothy to check on them, lead them, and encourage them, even though Timothy was helping to take care of Paul at this point.  It was a huge sacrifice for Paul to give up the person that was taking care of him to take care of this church that needed some face-to-face encouragement.

Apparently, Timothy's mission was a success, and he has returned to Paul with good news from the church in Thessalonica.  They had not forgotten Paul or his team, and they have been praying for them.  This makes Paul and his team want to visit them even more.  Although Paul sent Timothy to the church to comfort and encourage them, it is the church that has been able to comfort and encourage Paul.  Paul is certain that they are standing fast in the Lord, and for this he gives thanks that their faith has not been lost, has not wavered and has not been shaken.  

All they can do to thank God for this gift they have received is to continue to pray earnestly for the members of this local assembly.  Night and day, they pray "most earnestly" for them that they may see them face-to-face and be able to help supply anything that is lacking in their faith (have a chance to really disciple them and help them grow to spiritual maturity).  Paul then prays for them in that moment that God would direct their paths to cross again, and that the Holy Spirit would make their love for each other increase so that it is as strong as the love that Paul has for each one of them.  Then Paul asks the Lord to establish their hearts so that they would be blameless in holiness (that they would be perfectly set apart as chosen instruments for the Lord's service, not to be used in any "common" or "profane" way) at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, with His heavenly angels, for His saints.  That's a powerful prayer request, and something that was should be prepared to pray for each other as well--both individually and corporately.