Paul
Paul Sends Timothy to Thessalonica
When Paul could no longer bear the uncertainty about the faith in Thessalonica, he stayed alone in Athens and sent Timothy to strengthen the church and encourage them in their trials. Timothy returned with good news of their firm faith and love, which comforted Paul in his own distress.
1 Thessalonians 3,1-8
1So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind alone in Athens,
Διὸ μηκέτι στέγοντες εὐδοκήσαμεν καταλειφθῆναι ἐν Ἀθήναις μόνοι,
2and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you in your faith,
καὶ ἐπέμψαμεν Τιμόθεον, τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἡμῶν καὶ ⸀συνεργὸν τοῦ ⸀θεοῦ ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, εἰς τὸ στηρίξαι ὑμᾶς καὶ παρακαλέσαι ⸀ὑπὲρ τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν
3so that no one would be shaken by these troubles. For you yourselves know that this is what we are appointed to.
τὸ μηδένα σαίνεσθαι ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσιν ταύταις. αὐτοὶ γὰρ οἴδατε ὅτι εἰς τοῦτο κείμεθα·
4In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we would be afflicted—and so it happened, as you know.
καὶ γὰρ ὅτε πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἦμεν, προελέγομεν ὑμῖν ὅτι μέλλομεν θλίβεσθαι, καθὼς καὶ ἐγένετο καὶ οἴδατε.
5That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, afraid that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might prove to be in vain.
διὰ τοῦτο κἀγὼ μηκέτι στέγων ἔπεμψα εἰς τὸ γνῶναι τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν, μή πως ἐπείρασεν ὑμᾶς ὁ πειράζων καὶ εἰς κενὸν γένηται ὁ κόπος ἡμῶν.
6But now Timothy has come to us from you, bringing good news of your faith and love, and reporting that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, just as we long to see you.
Ἄρτι δὲ ἐλθόντος Τιμοθέου πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀφʼ ὑμῶν καὶ εὐαγγελισαμένου ἡμῖν τὴν πίστιν καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην ὑμῶν, καὶ ὅτι ἔχετε μνείαν ἡμῶν ἀγαθὴν πάντοτε ἐπιποθοῦντες ἡμᾶς ἰδεῖν καθάπερ καὶ ἡμεῖς ὑμᾶς,
7For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith,
διὰ τοῦτο παρεκλήθημεν, ἀδελφοί, ἐφʼ ὑμῖν ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ ⸂ἀνάγκῃ καὶ θλίψει⸃ ἡμῶν διὰ τῆς ὑμῶν πίστεως,
8because now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
ὅτι νῦν ζῶμεν ἐὰν ὑμεῖς στήκετε ἐν κυρίῳ.