But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire, because we wanted to come to you—indeed, I, Paul, once and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn’t it even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming? For you are our glory and our joy.
Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith; that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task. For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know. For this cause I also, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.
Questions
- “But Satan hindered us.” What’s Satan hindering you from doing?
- How are you creating a “hope, joy and crown of rejoicing” for yourself?
- Can we experience the same level of glory and joy that Paul and Timothy experienced as evangelists and apostles without being evangelists and apostles?
- Timothy was described as “God’s servant in the Good News of Christ.” What’s our own personal responsibility as God’s servants?
- What are you doing to establish others and comfort them in their faith?
- Paul clearly points out that he and Timothy were appointed to suffer and be afflicted in their role of spreading the gospel. Yet, that affliction is supposed to be extended to all Christ followers. How are you suffering today for the cause of Christ? How are you afflicted? Is this something we should seek out or does it naturally come with the job title?
- Do you love anyone so dearly that you must know about their faith and growth in Christ?
