Suffering Tribulation 1 Thessalonians 3:4

Although Paul and his companions thought it best for Paul to remain in Athens, they sent Timothy to the Thessalonians to comfort and establish them in their faith. Paul didn't want the Thessalonians to be “moved by” the “afflictions” which were “appointed”, and in chapter three and verse four of his letter, Paul reminds the Thessalonians how he told them how he would “suffer tribulation” where we read:

For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation;

even as it came to pass, and you know.

The verse begins, “For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation;” Paul began this verse with the words, “For verily” which means “as, indeed and no doubt and truly” “when we were with you” or “at the time and as long as Paul and his companions among, near and towards the Thessalonians” “we told you before” which is the Greek phrase “prolegō hymin prolegō” and means “said before or predicted” “that we should” or “that Paul and his companions would ” “ suffer tribulation” which means “be presses, straightened, compressed, troubled, afflicted and distressed”. Paul had already experienced troubles and difficulties as he shared the gospel of Jesus Christ, so he knew in advance that “tribulation” was ahead.

The verse goes on to say, “even as it came to pass, and you know.” Paul continued, “even as” or “also, even and indeed just as, in proportion and in the degree” “it came to pass” which means “came into existence, began, happened, appeared in history and came upon the stage” “and you know” or “perceive, notice, discern, discover, inspect, examine, see and experience”. Paul knew the Thessalonians were familiar with “suffering tribulation”, and as they saw and heard of the afflictions of Paul and his companions, they knew exactly about that which he wrote.

When we think through these words of Paul, we might wonder why he was to “suffer tribulation” in the first place. Shouldn't the Lord protect him and his entourage from “afflictions” and “troubles”? Jesus said, “In the world you shall have tribulation”, however He did not end his commentary there as he said, “but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”. Paul knew he was destined for “suffering tribulation”, and yet he still shared the gospel of Jesus Christ. His care and concern for the Thessalonians knowing these things provides more evidence for how much cared for their concerns rather than his own. Perhaps our prayer should be to ask the Lord Jesus to place within our hearts the same resolve Paul had for sharing the gospel and caring for others, and should we have to “suffer tribulation” because of it, so be it, and may the Lord God Almighty give us the power of His Holy Spirit to endure whatever afflictions come our way.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians how he wanted to know their “faith” , so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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