3:1,2
We now get some narrative of what happened after Paul and his companions left Thessalonica. They had to leave, but there was still a deep concern in their hearts for the Thessalonians and they could not rest. So Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica. Paul then describes Timothy’s credentials. It is possible that some said Paul was fobbing them off with an underling, that he didn’t really count the Thessalonians as being that important. Nothing could be further from the truth, and Timothy was a highly valued co-worker. Timothy was sent to “strengthen and encourage” them in their faith.
3:3,4
The church in Thessalonica had been birthed in trouble, and Paul was concerned that they might not be coping. So he sent Timothy to help them through the situation. There was nothing unusual about the trials, and Paul had made no secret of this when he was with them. He had warned them that persecution was part of the deal, and this is how things turned out. Today Christians in many parts of the world experience real persecution. In the West for a long time there was virtually no persecution (though there has been in the past), but the environment is now changing. If persecution does become the norm again we need to be prepared.
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