Anxiety in Athens
1Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens.a 2And we sent Timothy,b our brother and God’s coworkerc in the gospel of Christ,d to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, 3so that no one will be shaken by these persecutions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed toe this. 4In fact, when we were with you, we told you previously that we were going to suffer persecution, and as you know, it happened. 5For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.
Encouraged by Timothy
6But now Timothy has come to usf from you and brought us good news about your faith and love and reported that you always have good memories of us, wanting to see us, as we also want to see you.g 7Therefore, •brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you through your faith. 8For now we live, if you stand firmh in the Lord. 9How can we thank God for you in return for all the joyi we experience before our God because of you, 10as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to facej and to complete what is lacking in your faith?k
Prayer for the Church
11Now may our God and Fatherl Himself, and our Lord Jesus,m direct our way to you. 12And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with loven for one anothero and for everyone, just as we also do for you. 13May He make your hearts blamelessp in holinessq before our God and Father at the comingr of our Lords Jesus with all His •saints. •Amen.t
Footnotes:
a. 3:1 Ac 17:15
b. 3:2 Ac 16:1; 1Tm 1:2
c. 3:2 Other mss read servant
d. 3:2 Php 1:27
e. 3:3 Or are destined for
f. 3:6 Ac 18:5
g. 3:6 1Co 11:2; Php 1:8
h. 3:8 Rm 14:4; 1Co 16:13; Php 1:27
i. 3:9 Jn 15:11; 2Co 6:10; Php 1:18
j. 3:10 1Th 2:17
k. 3:10 Col 1:24
l. 3:11 Jn 8:42; Php 4:20
m. 3:11 Ac 20:21
n. 3:12 Lk 7:42
o. 3:12 Rm 13:8
p. 3:13 Lk 1:6
q. 3:13 Rm 1:4; 1Co 7:14; 2Co 7:1
r. 3:13 1Th 1:10; 1Jn 2:28
s. 3:13 Rv 11:8
t. 3:13 Other mss omit Amen.