1 Thessalonians 3:6
But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
Original Language Analysis
ἐλθόντος
came
G2064
ἐλθόντος
came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
3 of 31
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
5 of 31
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
ἀφ'
from
G575
ἀφ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
7 of 31
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εὐαγγελισαμένου
brought
G2097
εὐαγγελισαμένου
brought
Strong's:
G2097
Word #:
10 of 31
to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστιν
faith
G4102
πίστιν
faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
13 of 31
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγάπην
charity
G26
ἀγάπην
charity
Strong's:
G26
Word #:
16 of 31
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
19 of 31
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἔχετε
ye have
G2192
ἔχετε
ye have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
20 of 31
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἐπιποθοῦντες
desiring greatly
G1971
ἐπιποθοῦντες
desiring greatly
Strong's:
G1971
Word #:
25 of 31
to dote upon, i.e., intensely crave possession (lawfully or wrongfully)
ἰδεῖν
to see
G1492
ἰδεῖν
to see
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
27 of 31
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
Cross References
1 Corinthians 11:2Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.Isaiah 52:7How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!Acts 18:5And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.Proverbs 25:25As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.1 Thessalonians 1:3Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;Philippians 1:8For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
Historical Context
Timothy's return to Paul (now in Corinth, Acts 18:5) probably occurred 6-12 months after Paul left Thessalonica. Paul had endured months of anxious uncertainty, fearing persecution destroyed the young church. Timothy's report was literally 'good news' (euangelion)—the gospel had taken deep root, producing persevering faith and practical love despite ongoing affliction. This validation of Paul's ministry brought joy comparable to conversion itself. The mutual longing for reunion demonstrates authentic Christian community transcending mere organizational affiliation.
Questions for Reflection
- How do faith and love together demonstrate genuine Christianity in ways neither alone would?
- What evidence demonstrates that your Christian relationships are mutual and deep ('good remembrance... desiring greatly to see') rather than one-sided or superficial?
- How does the report about distant believers bring you joy comparable to Timothy's report bringing Paul?
Analysis & Commentary
But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you—arti de elthontos Timothou pros hēmas aph' hymōn kai euangelisamenou hēmin tēn pistin kai tēn agapēn hymōn (ἄρτι δὲ ἐλθόντος Τιμοθέου πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀφ' ὑμῶν καὶ εὐαγγελισαμένου ἡμῖν τὴν πίστιν καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην ὑμῶν, 'but now Timothy having come to us from you and having brought good news of your faith and love'). Euangelizō (εὐαγγελίζω, 'to bring good news/evangelize') typically describes gospel proclamation; here it describes good news about the Thessalonians.
Timothy reported three things:
This report brought immense relief: persecution hadn't destroyed faith, Paul's forced departure hadn't broken relationship, and the church thrived despite his absence. Their persevering faith and love proved conversion's genuineness and the Spirit's sufficiency for sanctification.