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.
Original Language Analysis
διὰ
cause
G1223
διὰ
cause
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
1 of 24
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
κἀγὼ
when I
G2504
κἀγὼ
when I
Strong's:
G2504
Word #:
3 of 24
so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.
στέγων
could
G4722
στέγων
could
Strong's:
G4722
Word #:
5 of 24
to roof over, i.e., (figuratively) to cover with silence (endure patiently)
ἔπεμψα
I sent
G3992
ἔπεμψα
I sent
Strong's:
G3992
Word #:
6 of 24
to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term
εἰς
in
G1519
εἰς
in
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γνῶναι
know
G1097
γνῶναι
know
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
9 of 24
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστιν
faith
G4102
πίστιν
faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
11 of 24
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
πειράζων
have tempted
G3985
πειράζων
have tempted
Strong's:
G3985
Word #:
14 of 24
to test (objectively), i.e., endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πειράζων
have tempted
G3985
πειράζων
have tempted
Strong's:
G3985
Word #:
17 of 24
to test (objectively), i.e., endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
in
G1519
εἰς
in
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
19 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
γένηται
be
G1096
γένηται
be
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
21 of 24
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 4:3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.2 Corinthians 2:11Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.Isaiah 49:4Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.Ephesians 4:14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;1 Corinthians 7:5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.Philippians 2:16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Historical Context
Satan's role as tempter is consistent biblical teaching (Matt 4:3; 1 Cor 7:5; Rev 12:9). He exploits persecution to induce apostasy, as Jesus's parable teaches: 'When tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended' (Mark 4:17). Paul's anxiety about the tempter's success wasn't paranoia but spiritual realism—many conversions prove superficial under testing (Matt 7:21-23; Luke 8:13; Heb 6:4-6). The Thessalonians' perseverance despite Satan's tempting and persecution's pressure vindicated both God's electing grace and Paul's faithful ministry.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Satan exploit trials and persecution to tempt believers toward apostasy?
- What evidence demonstrates that your faith is genuine (persevering despite testing) rather than superficial (collapsing under pressure)?
- How do you balance confidence in God's preserving grace with sober awareness of apostasy's possibility?
Analysis & Commentary
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—dia touto kagō mēketi stegōn epempsa eis to gnōnai tēn pistin hymōn, mē pōs epeirase hymas ho peirazōn kai eis kenon genētai ho kopos hēmōn (διὰ τοῦτο κἀγὼ μηκέτι στέγων ἔπεμψα εἰς τὸ γνῶναι τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν, μή πως ἐπείρασεν ὑμᾶς ὁ πειράζων καὶ εἰς κενὸν γένηται ὁ κόπος ἡμῶν). Ho peirazōn (ὁ πειράζων, 'the tempter') is Satan's title, the one who tests/tempts to destroy faith. Paul feared Satan exploited persecution to undermine the Thessalonians' faith.
And our labour be in vain (eis kenon genētai ho kopos hēmōn, εἰς κενὸν γένηται ὁ κόπος ἡμῶν, 'our labor become in vain')—kenon (empty/fruitless) indicates wasted effort. Paul's concern wasn't personal reputation but fruit's reality. Temporary emotional response or intellectual assent isn't genuine conversion; persevering faith proves authenticity (Matt 13:20-21). The tempter's goal is apostasy—using persecution's pressure to cause believers to abandon faith. Paul sent Timothy to assess whether the Thessalonians' faith was genuine (persevering despite affliction) or superficial (collapsing under pressure). Timothy's good report (v. 6) proved their conversion's authenticity.