1 Thessalonians 3 — Greek text and reception
Each card preserves the Greek reading and its textual and reception notes. This source provides a Greek study edition; Hebrew counterparts and Hebrew–Greek classifications are not supplied.
1 Thessalonians 3
Timothy’s mission and report
Verse 3:1
Greek–English Translation
Therefore, when we could bear it no longer, we were pleased to be left alone in Athens,
Textual and Reception Notes
Text [G]: The inability to bear the separation leads to the decision to remain alone in Athens. The plural we is preserved; this verse alone does not settle the movements of every named associate. Reception: R11.
Verse 3:2
Greek–English Translation
and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you concerning your faith,
Textual and Reception Notes
Text [G]: The source calls Timothy synergon tou theou, God’s fellow worker. The unusual designation is retained without replacing God with Paul or importing a minister reading. Reception: R11.
Verse 3:3
Greek–English Translation
so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.
Textual and Reception Notes
Text [G]: Saínesthai is rendered be shaken in the affliction context. The statement that we are appointed to this explains why affliction should not surprise them; it does not command seeking persecution. Reception: R11.
Verse 3:4
Greek–English Translation
For even when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were going to suffer affliction, just as it also happened, as you know.
Textual and Reception Notes
Text [G]: Repeated advance warning is recalled by told you beforehand. The subsequent occurrence and the recipients’ knowledge confirm that suffering did not arrive contrary to the messengers’ teaching. Reception: R11.
Verse 3:5
Greek–English Translation
For this reason, when I too could bear it no longer, I sent to learn of your faith, lest somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor should become empty.
Textual and Reception Notes
Text [G]: The source changes from we in 3:1 to I here. Reception: R12.
Verse 3:6
Greek–English Translation
But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have a good remembrance of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you.
Textual and Reception Notes
Text [G]: Timothy brings good news (euangelisamenou) about faith and love; the verb is used for this welcome report. The sentence also preserves reciprocal longing and the community’s continuing good remembrance. Reception: R13.
Verse 3:7
Greek–English Translation
For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith,
Textual and Reception Notes
Text [G]: Distress (anankē) and affliction (thlipsis) are distinguished. The messengers receive comfort through the recipients’ faith, reversing the direction of encouragement in Timothy’s commission. Reception: R13.
Verse 3:8
Greek–English Translation
because now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
Textual and Reception Notes
Text [G]: Now we live expresses renewed vitality conditioned on the community’s standing firm in the Lord. The verse is not a claim that Paul had literally died and returned to life. Reception: R13.
Verse 3:9
Greek–English Translation
For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice because of you before our God,
Textual and Reception Notes
Text [G]: The rhetorical question asks what thanksgiving can be returned to God. Joy and rejoice repeat the same word family; the joy is because of the recipients and before God. Reception: R14.
Verse 3:10
Greek–English Translation
as night and day we pray most earnestly to see your face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
Textual and Reception Notes
Text [G]: Most earnestly conveys the intensified adverb hyperekperissou. Supplying what is lacking (katartisai) concerns completing or putting right the deficiencies in their faith, without cancelling the praise in 3:6–9. Reception: R14.
Prayer for growing love
Verse 3:11
Greek–English Translation
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.
Textual and Reception Notes
Text [G]: The two named subjects, our God and Father and our Lord Jesus, govern a singular wish-form verb. Their names and the single petition are preserved without grammatical expansion. Reception: R15.
Verse 3:12
Greek–English Translation
And may the Lord make you increase and overflow in love for one another and for all, just as we also do for you,
Textual and Reception Notes
Text [G]: Increase and overflow are two coordinated wishes. Love extends both to one another and to all; the messengers’ love for the community supplies the stated comparison. Reception: R15.
Verse 3:13
Greek–English Translation
so as to establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.
Textual and Reception Notes
Text [G]: Saints renders hagioi, holy ones. The phrase itself does not specify whether its eschatological company is exclusively human; no later list of canonized saints is supplied. G has no final Amen here. Reception: R15.
Text [G]: NA28 closes the verse with [ἀμήν] in brackets (SBLGNT omits); the rendering above follows SBLGNT, and NA28 would add "Amen."R15