1 Thessalonians 3 · Robertson's Word Pictures
1When we could no longer forbear (meket stegontes). Stego is old verb to cover from stege, roof (Mr 2:4 ), to cover with silence, to conceal, to keep off, to endure as here and 1Co 9:12; 13:7 . In the papyri in this sense (Moulton and Milligan's Vocabulary). Meket usual negative with participle in the Koine rather than ouket.
We thought it good (eudokesamen). Either literary plural as in 2:18 or Paul and Silas as more likely. If so, both Timothy and Silas came to Athens (Ac 17:15f. ), but Timothy was sent ( we sent , epempsamen, verse 2) right back to Thessalonica and later Paul sent Silas on to Beroea or Thessalonica (verse 5,
I sent , epempsa). Then both Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia to Corinth (Ac 18:5 ).
Alone (mono). Including Silas.
God's minister (diakonon tou theou). See on Mt 22:13 for this interesting word, here in general sense not technical sense of deacon. Some MSS. have
fellow-worker (sunergon). Already
apostle in 2:7 and now
brother, minister (and possibly
fellow-worker ).
3That no man be moved (to medena sainestha). Epexegetical articular infinitive in accusative case of general reference. Saino is old word to wag the tail, to flatter, beguile and this sense suits here (only N.T. example). The sense of "moved" or troubled or disheartened is from siainestha the reading of F G and found in the papyri.
We are appointed (keimetha). Present middle, used here as passive of tithem. We Christians are set
hereunto (eis touto) to be beguiled by tribulations. We must resist.
4We told you beforehand (proelegomen umin). Imperfect active, we used to tell you beforehand. Old verb, rare in N.T. (only in Paul).
That we are to suffer persecution (ot mellomen thlibestha). Mello and present passive infinitive. Not mere prediction, but God's appointed will as it turned out in Thessalonica.
5That I might know (eis to gnona). Paul's common idiom (verse 2), eis to and the infinitive of purpose (second aorist ingressive active of ginosko, come to know).
Lest by any means the tempter had tempted you (me pos epeirasen umas o peirazon). Findlay takes this as a question with negative answer, but most likely negative final clause with me pos about a past action with aorist indicative according to the classic idiom as in Ga 2:2 (me pos--edramon) and Ga 4:11 after verb of fearing (Robertson, Grammar, p. 988). It is a fear that the thing may turn out to be so about the past.
Should be (geneta). Here the usual construction appears (aorist subjunctive with me pos) about the future.
6Even now (art). Just now, Timothy having come (elthontos Timotheou, genitive absolute). Why Silas is not named is not clear, unless he had come from Beroea or elsewhere in Macedonia.
Glad tidings of (euangelisamenou). First aorist middle participle of the verb for evangelizing (gospelizing).
Good remembrance (mneian). Same word used by Paul 1:2.
Longing to see us (epipothountes emas idein). Old and strong verb, epi-, directive, to long after. Mutual longing that pleased Paul ("we also you").
7Over you (eph' umin). Ep with the locative, the basis on which the "comfort" rests.
In (ep). Locative case again with ep.
Distress (ananke).
Physical necessity , common sense in late Greek, choking (ancho, angor), and
crushing trouble (thlipsis, thlibo).
8If ye stand fast (ean umeis stekete). Condition of first class, ean and present active indicative (correct text, not stekete subj.) of steko, late form from perfect esteka of istem, to place.
9Render again unto God (to theo antapodouna). Second aorist active infinitive of double compound verb ant-apodidom, to give back (apo) in return for (ant). Old verb rare in N.T., but again in 2Th 1:6 .
For you (per umon). Around (concerning) you, while in verse 2 uper (over is used for "concerning your faith."
For (ep). Basis again as cause or ground for the joy.
Wherewith we joy (e chairomen). Probably cognate accusative en with chairomen attracted to locative chara (Mt 2:10 ).
10Exceedingly (uperekperissou). Double compound adverb, only in 1Th 3:10; 5:13 (some MSS. -os). Like piling Ossa on Pelion, perissos, abundantly, ek perissou, out of bounds, uperekperissou, more than out of bounds (overflowing all bounds).
And perfect (ka katartisa). First aorist active articular infinitive of purpose (eis to idein--ka) of katartizo, to mend nets (Mt 4:21 ) or men (Ga 6:1 ) repair. Chiefly late.
That which is lacking in (ta usteremata). The shortcomings, the lacks or left-overs (Col 1:24 ). From ustereo (usteron), to be late.
11Our God and Father himself (autos o theos ka pater emon). Note one article with both substantives for one person.
And our Lord Jesus (ka o Kurios emon Iesous). Separate article here with Iesous. In Tit 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1 only one article (not two) treating "our God and Saviour Jesus Christ" as one just like "our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" in 2 Peter 1:11; 2:20; 3:18 .
Direct our way (kateuthuna ten odon emon). First aorist optative (acute accent on penult, not circumflex first aorist active infinitive) of kateuthuno, old verb to make straight path. Singular verb also, though both God and Christ mentioned as subject (unity in the Godhead). Apart from me genoito ( may it not come to pass ) the optative in a wish of the third person is found in N.T. only in 1Th 3:11,12; 5:23; 2Th 2:17; 3:5,16; Ro 15:5,13 .
12The Lord (o Kurios). The Lord Jesus. Paul prays to Christ.
Make you to increase (umas pleonasa). First aorist active optative (wish for future) of pleonazo, late verb from pleon (more),
to superabound .
And abound (perisseusa). First aorist active optative (wish for future) of perisseuo from perissos, old verb, to be over (common in N.T.). It is hard to see much difference between the two verbs.
13To the end he may stablish (eis to sterixa). Another example of eis and the articular infinitive of purpose. Same idiom in 3:2. From sterizo, from sterinx, a support.
Unblameable (amemptous). Old compound adjective (a privative and verbal of memphoma, to blame). Rare in N.T. Predicate position here. Second coming of Christ again.
1 Thessalonians 4