Font Size
1 Thessalonians 3
Expanded Bible
1 Thessalonians 3
Expanded Bible
3 When we could ·not wait any [endure it no] longer, we decided it was best to stay in Athens alone 2 and send Timothy to you. Timothy, our brother, ·works with us [is our coworker] for God ·and helps us tell people the Good News about [L in the Gospel of] Christ. We sent him to strengthen and ·encourage [comfort; or exhort] you in your faith 3 so none of you would be ·upset [disturbed; shaken] by these ·troubles [trials]. [L For] You yourselves know that we ·must face these troubles [L are destined/appointed for this]. 4 [L For] Even when we were with you, we told you [L in advance] we all would have to ·suffer [be persecuted; suffer hardship/affliction], and you know it has happened. 5 Because of this, when I could ·wait [endure it] no longer, I sent Timothy to you so I could learn about your faith. I was afraid ·the devil [L the tempter] had tempted you, and perhaps our hard work would have been ·wasted [in vain; for nothing].
6 But Timothy now has come back to us from you and has brought us good news about your faith and love. He told us that you always remember us in a good way and that you ·want [long] to see us just as much as we ·want [long] to see you. 7 So, brothers and sisters, ·while we have much [L in all of our] ·trouble [distress] and ·suffering [trials; persecution], we are ·encouraged [comforted; reassured] about you because of your faith. 8 ·Our life is really full [L For now we live/are alive (again)] ·if you stand [since you are standing] ·strong [firm; fast] in the Lord. 9 ·We cannot thank God enough [L For what thanks can we give to God…?] for all the joy we feel ·in God’s presence [before our God] because of you. 10 Night and day we continue praying ·with all our heart [most earnestly] that we can see you again and ·give you all the things you need [L strengthen/supply what is lacking] to make your faith strong.
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus ·prepare [clear; direct] the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love grow more and ·multiply [abound; overflow] for each other and for all people ·so that you will love others as we love you [or just as our love abounds for you]. 13 ·May your hearts [L …so that your hearts may] be made strong so that you will be holy and ·without fault [blameless] before our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his ·holy ones [T saints; or holy angels].
1 Thessalonians 3
New International Version
1 Thessalonians 3
New International Version
3 So when we could stand it no longer,(A) we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.(B) 2 We sent Timothy,(C) who is our brother and co-worker(D) in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ,(E) to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.(F) For you know quite well that we are destined for them.(G) 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.(H) 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer,(I) I sent to find out about your faith.(J) I was afraid that in some way the tempter(K) had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.(L)
Timothy’s Encouraging Report
6 But Timothy(M) has just now come to us from you(N) and has brought good news about your faith and love.(O) He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.(P) 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm(Q) in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you(R) in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?(S) 10 Night and day we pray(T) most earnestly that we may see you again(U) and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11 Now may our God and Father(V) himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other(W) and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless(X) and holy in the presence of our God and Father(Y) when our Lord Jesus comes(Z) with all his holy ones.(AA)
Expanded Bible (EXB)
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.