1 Thessalonians 3:5

1 Thessalonians 3:5

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

a. NLT: That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless.

b. NIV: For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

    

c. YLT: Because of this also, I, no longer forbearing, did send to know your faith, lest he who is tempting did tempt you, and in vain might be our labour.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: That is the reason that, when I could bear [the suspense] no longer, I sent that I might learn [how you were standing the strain, and the endurance of] your faith, [for I was fearful] lest somehow the tempter had tempted you and our toil [among you should prove to] be fruitless and to no purpose.

e. Worrell Translation: For this reason, I also, no longer enduring it, sent, that I might know your faith, lest by some means the tempter tempted you, and our labor should be in vain

f. Wuest Translation: Because of this, when I also could bear it no longer, I sent [him] that I might come to know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had solicited you to do evil  and my labor would turn out to be in vain.

1. “For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith…”

a. For this [Strong: 5124 touto too'-to neuter singular nominative or accusative case of 3778; that thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).]

b. cause [Strong: 1223 dia dee-ah' a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.]

c. when I [Strong: 2504 kago kag-o' from 2532 and 1473; so also the dative case kamoi kam-oy', and accusative case kame kam-eh' and (or also, even, etc.) I, (to) me:--(and, even, even so, so) I (also, in like wise), both me, me also.]

d. could…forbear [Strong: 4722 stego steg'-o from 4721; to roof over, i.e. (figuratively) to cover with silence (endure patiently):--(for-)bear, suffer.]

e. no longer [Strong: 3371 meketi may-ket'-ee from 3361 and 2089; no further:--any longer, (not) henceforth, hereafter, no henceforward (longer, more, soon), not any more.]

f. I sent [Strong: 3992 pempo pem'-po apparently a primary verb; to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas hiemi (as a stronger form of eimi) refers rather to the objective point or terminus ad quem, and 4724 denotes properly, the orderly motion involved), especially on a temporary errand; also to transmit, bestow, or wield:--send, thrust in.]

g. to [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

h. know [Strong: 1097 ginosko ghin-oce'-ko a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.]

i. your [Strong: 5216 humon hoo-mone' genitive case of 5210; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).]

j. faith [Strong: 4102 pistis pis'-tis from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

1). Paul’s deep concern was that the persecution inflicted on these literally ‘infant believers’ would be too much for them. So he felt he could no longer wait for an opportunity to go himself (Paul attempted to do so twice, but there was too much satanic opposition, 1 Thessalonians 2:18), so he sent Timothy and Silas.

2). Amplified Bible Classic: That is the reason that, when I could bear [the suspense] no longer, I sent that I might learn [how you were standing the strain, and the endurance of] your faith, [for I was fearful]…”

2. “…lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.”

a. lest [Strong: 3361 me may a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]

b. by some means [Strong: 3381 mepos may'-pos or me pos may poce from 3361 and 4458; lest somehow:--lest (by any means, by some means, haply, perhaps).]

c. by some means [Strong: 4458 pos poce adverb from the base of 4225; an enclitic particle of indefiniteness of manner; somehow or anyhow; used only in composition:--haply, by any (some) means, perhaps.]

d. the tempter [Strong: 3985 peirazo pi-rad'-zo from 3984; to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline:--assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try.]

e. have tempted [Strong: 3985 peirazo pi-rad'-zo from 3984; to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline:--assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try.]

          

f. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

g. our [Strong: 2257 hemon hay-mone' genitive case plural of 1473; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.]

h. labour [Strong: 2873 kopos kop'-os from 2875; a cut, i.e. (by analogy) toil (as reducing the strength), literally or figuratively; by implication, pains:--labour, + trouble, weariness.]

i. be [Strong: 1096 ginomai ghin'-om-ahee a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.]

j. in [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

k. vain [Strong: 2756  kenos ken-os' apparently a primary word; empty (literally or figuratively):--empty, (in) vain.]

1). While the enemy was keeping Paul from getting back to Thessalonica, Paul knew the enemy was working on their end also throwing temptation their way in order to destroy their faith.

a). 2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2). In the parable of the Sower, Jesus warned that persecution and tribulation would come because of the word of God. We must not let it destroy our faith.

a). Mark 4:16, 17 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

3). Paul warned on a number of occasions in agreement with the Scriptures that persecution would come to believers.

a). 2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

b). Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.