1 Thessalonians 3:7 – Because of Your Faith

7 therefore we were consoled, brethren, over you in all our necessity and affliction, through your faith,

Paul had sent Timothy to Thessalonica to console the believers for the sake of their faith (verse 2). Now the reverse takes place. Timothy returns with good news, and Paul and his coworkers are consoled in turn. The faith they had been so eager to strengthen thus became consolation for them.

That consolation came “in all our necessity and affliction.” Paul and his coworkers were also under severe pressure. Moreover, Timothy did not come to report that the affliction of the Thessalonians was over. On neither side had the difficult circumstances disappeared. And yet there was every reason for consolation.

And what consoled Paul? “Through your faith.” This was precisely what had concerned him and why he had sent Timothy. Now it appeared that their faith had stood firm. In this Paul also saw the operation of the word they had received from him. He himself was no longer with them, but the word continued to operate unabated in those who believed (2:13). Not the disappearance of affliction, but faith that stood firm in it, was Paul’s reason for consolation. What he wanted to strengthen in the Thessalonians thus became strength for himself.

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