Tag: stego

1 Thessalonians 3:1 – Family Ties

Posted on by Will

Therefore, no longer enduring it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,

Truth to Learn

Christians are all part of the same loving family.

 

Behind the Words

The words “enduring it” are translated from the Greek verb stegō. This word literally means “to cover.” It can mean “to conceal” or “to cover with silence,” that is, “to forbear” or “to endure.”

“We thought it good” is the translation of the verb eudokeō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and dokeō, meaning “to think.” Thus, this word means “to think good of.”

Kateleipō is the word translated “to be left.” It is composed of kata, meaning “down” but used here as an intensifier and leipō, meaning “to leave” or “to forsake.” Thus, kataleipō means “to utterly leave behind.”

“Alone” is translated from monos, which means “without others” or “alone.”

 

Meaning Explained

In chapter two of this letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul spent considerable time and effort defending what appears to be accusations leveled against him and his companions. One of those accusations was that Paul had abandoned the Thessalonian church and that he had made no attempts to return there.

You may recall in our discussion of verse seventeen that we alluded to the fact that Paul had to be secretly ushered out of town as a result of the turmoil that was caused by people who had come from Philippi. Paul has already explained that he had repeatedly planned on returning to Thessalonica but that he had been hindered by Satan.

He has used fatherly and motherly metaphors to explain to these dear Christian brothers and sisters the anguish he had experienced as a result of his separation from them. He even referred to such separation as being like that of an orphan deprived of his or her father and mother. Therefore, because he had been prevented from returning to Thessalonica, Paul tells his beloved friends there what he did instead.

He tells them here that he endured the pain of separation as long as he could. This is a very revealing comment from the Apostle. After all, we know from his letter to the church in Philippi, written some ten or twelve years after this letter, that Paul learned to be content with whatever God provided for him. He told the Philippians:

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in: (Philippians 4:11)

Now he tells the Thessalonians that he was not content; he could no longer endure the separation from them and the lack of news about them. Therefore, he tells them that his plan is to be left alone at Athens and (as we learn in the next verse) to send Timothy to them.

 

Application

One of the wonderful aspects of the Christian life is that we get to make friends with people from all walks of life, who share our love for the Lord. And, since we are all children of our Heavenly Father, they often become as dear as true brothers and sisters. Are you involved enough in your church to make close friends like this? If not, you’re missing out on a rich blessing.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 3:5 – Faith Strengthening Trials

Posted on by Will

For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

Truth to Learn

Trials and temptations can be good for us.

Behind the Words

“No longer” is translated from the Greek word mēketi, which is made up of mē, a particle of negation and eti, meaning “still” or “yet.” This word primarily means “not anymore.”

The word translated “endure” is stegō, which we saw in the first verse of this chapter literally means “to cover.” It can also mean “to forbear” or “to endure.”

Mēpōs is the Greek word translated “lest by some means.” It is made up of mē, a particle of negation and pōs, meaning “somehow” or “by some means.”

The word “tempter” is based on the verb peiradzō, which is derived from peira, meaning “a test, temptation, or trial.” In the Greek this is written as ho pairadzōn, which literally means “the tempting one.”

“Had tempted” is from the same verb, peiradzō. It is expressed here in the imperfect tense, indicating past continuous or repeated action.

Meaning Explained

Earlier in this chapter Paul told the Thessalonian Christians that he could no longer endure his forced separation from them and his inability to personally return to them. As a result, he said that he stayed in Athens and sent Timothy there to ensure that they were firmly grounded in the faith and to act as a coach to help them succeed in the building of their faith.

Now he tells them another reason for his sending Timothy. He says he wanted to know for sure how strong their faith was. You may recall that the Thessalonian Christians were being persecuted by their fellow countrymen in the same manner as Paul. Paul was well aware that Christians suffering persecution will either grow stronger in their faith or weaker in their faith.

Whenever we are suffering persecution for exhibiting our faith in God, our enemy Satan knows that we are very vulnerable to temptations. The most destructive temptations we face at times like these involve thinking that God has deserted us or doesn’t care about us. This is particularly true of young Christians who haven’t yet learned the value of difficulties. These difficulties force us to rely on faith to get through; they make us stronger.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:18 we learned that the name Satan means “accuser” or “adversary.” We also learned that one of his actions against us is to “hinder” us from doing the work of our ministry. Now we learn that Satan also tempts us in order to weaken our faith. The more we learn about him and his methods, the better prepared we are to resist him. Keep in mind what James said:

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2, 3)

Application

Don’t despair when you encounter opposition to your ministry. God allows this to strengthen you. Also, don’t think that because you are tempted to sin when you are weak that God doesn’t care. God loves His children and wants us to grow stronger. Remember that trials and testing can be good for us!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 3:1 – Family Ties

Posted on by Will

Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,

Truth to Learn

Christians are all part of the same loving family.

Behind the Words

The words “we could no longer endure it” are translated from the Greek verb stegō. This word literally means “to cover.” It can mean “to conceal” or “to cover with silence,” that is, “to forbear” or “to endure.”

“We thought it good” is the translation of the verb eudokeō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and dokeō, meaning “to think.” Thus, this word means “to think good of.”

Kateleipō is the word translated “to be left.” It is composed of kata, meaning “down” but used here as an intensifier and leipō, meaning “to leave” or “to forsake.” Thus, kataleipō means “to utterly leave behind.”

“Alone” is translated from monos, which means “without others” or “alone.”

Meaning Explained

In chapter two of this letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul spent considerable time and effort defending what appears to be accusations leveled against him and his companions. One of those accusations was that Paul had abandoned the Thessalonian church and that he had made no attempts to return there.

You may recall in our discussion of verse seventeen that we alluded to the fact that Paul had to be secretly ushered out of town as a result of the turmoil that was caused by people who had come from Philippi. Paul has already explained that he had repeatedly planned on returning to Thessalonica but that he had been hindered by Satan.

He has used fatherly and motherly metaphors to explain to these dear Christian brothers and sisters the anguish he had experienced as a result of his separation from them. He even referred to such separation as being like that of an orphan deprived of his or her father and mother. Therefore, because he had been prevented from returning to Thessalonica, Paul tells his beloved friends there what he did instead.

He tells them here that he endured the pain of separation as long as he could. This is a very revealing comment from the Apostle. After all, we know from his letter to the church in Philippi, written some ten or twelve years after this letter, that Paul learned to be content with whatever God provided for him. He told the Philippians:

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: (Philippians 4:11)

Now he tells the Thessalonians that he was not content; he could no longer endure the separation from them and the lack of news about them. Therefore, he tells them that his plan is to be left alone at Athens and (as we learn in the next verse) to send Timothy to them.

Application

One of the wonderful aspects of the Christian life is that we get to make friends with people from all walks of life, who share our love for the Lord. And, since we are all children of our Heavenly Father, they often become as dear as brothers and sisters. Are you involved enough in your church to make close friends like this? If not, you’re missing out on a rich blessing.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved