Year of the Bible
1 Thessalonians 3
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Commentary on the First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapter 3:
Paul, Silvannus, and Timothy share the circumstances that led to the writing of this letter, explaining that they wanted to make a visit personally, but since they could not Timothy was sent to continue to form the community in the faith and bring a report back (vs. 1-2, 6). Timothy’s report is very positive (vs. 6-10), filling them all with joy as fellow believers! They recognize the reality that the Lord always has more for us as disciples, encouraging the Thessalonians to allow God to increase their love for one another and all of humanity (vs. 11) and letting them know that in the future there will be more teaching to fill in the gaps “lacking” in their understanding of the faith (vs. 10).
The First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapter 3:
1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the gospel of Christ, to establish you in your faith and to exhort you, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. You yourselves know that this is to be our lot. 4 For when we were with you, we told you before hand that we were to suffer affliction; just as it has come to pass, and as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent that I might know your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and that our labor would be in vain.
Timothy’s Good Report
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith; 8 for now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we render to God for you, for all the joy which we feel for your sake before our God, 10 praying earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you; 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all men, as we do to you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts un-blamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
*Daily Lectio Divina Question:
Keeping the faith can be hard when we're separated from our mentors, coaches, or loved ones. And our hope can grow dim when there is a lack of communication. Lord, give me a grateful heart for my brothers and sisters in faith. If any of them are struggling amidst afflictions, how can I be a source of encouragement and hope? Tell someone you're grateful for them today.
Biblical Commentary provided by the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan. Join a Catholic Biblical School of Michigan class this September at Holy Family in Grand Blanc or online.
Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2006).
Permission to use the RSV-2CE given for Bishop's Year of the Bible by Ignatius Press. Many thanks to Ignatius for this.
If you're looking for a good Catholic edition of the Bible, look no further.
1 Por esta razón, incapaces de aguantar
más, preferimos quedarnos solos
en Atenas 2 y os enviamos a Timoteo,
nuestro hermano y colaborador de Dios
en el Evangelio de Cristo, para confirmaros
y animaros en vuestra fe, 3 para
que nadie flaquee en esas tribulaciones.
Bien sabéis que eso es lo que nos espera;
4 pues ya cuando estábamos entre vosotros
os predecíamos que íbamos a sufrir
tribulaciones, como sabéis que ha sucedido.
5 Y por eso yo, incapaz de aguantar
más, le envié para informarme de vuestra
fe, preocupado por si os hubiera seducido
el tentador y nuestro trabajo hubiera
resultado infecundo.
6 Pero ahora Timoteo, que acaba de
regresar de ahí, nos ha traído buenas
noticias de vuestra fe y de vuestra caridad,
de que guardáis siempre buen recuerdo
de nosotros y deseáis vernos,
como también nos sucede a nosotros.
7 Por eso hemos recibido de vuestra parte,
hermanos, gracias a vuestra fe, un
gran consuelo en medio de todas nuestras
adversidades y tribulaciones: 8 ahora
sí vivimos, ya que permanecéis firmes
en el Señor. 9 ¿Y cómo podremos
dar gracias suficientes a Dios por toda
la alegría que nos proporcionáis y con
la que nos gozamos por vosotros ante
nuestro Dios? 10 Le rogamos noche y día,
sin cesar, que podamos veros y completar
lo que falta a vuestra fe.
11 Que Dios mismo, nuestro Padre, y
nuestro Señor Jesús, dirija nuestro camino
para poder veros; 12 y que el Señor
os colme y os haga rebosar en la caridad
de unos con otros y en la caridad
hacia todos, como es la nuestra hacia
vosotros, 13 para que se confirmen vuestros
corazones en una santidad sin tacha
ante Dios, nuestro Padre, el día de
la venida de nuestro Señor Jesús con todos
sus santos. Amén.
Pregunta de Lectio Divina del día de hoy
Mantener la fe puede ser difícil cuando estamos separados de nuestros consejeros, coaches o seres queridos. Y nuestra esperanza puede oscurecerse cuando hay falta de comunicación. Señor, dame un corazón agradecido por mis hermanos y hermanas en la fe. Si alguno de ellos está luchando en medio de aflicciones, ¿cómo puedo ser una fuente de ánimo y esperanza? Dile a alguien que estás agradecido por esta persona hoy.
La Biblia de Navarra
Permiso para usar esta versión de la primera edición de la Biblia de Navarra
para el Año de la Biblia del Obispo
dado por Ediciones Universidad de Navarra, S.A. (EUNSA).