1 Thessalonians shows us an intimate side of Paul, where he expresses his deep and genuine love for the believers in Thessalonica.

Having been driven out not long after establishing the church there, I imagine that Paul must have felt like a father who was separated from his very young child, a child who was still impressionable to any kinds of external influences, a child who may not even be able to stand, let alone defend himself. In this chapter, we see a transition in Paul’s emotions – from worry to comfort to rejoicing, all while being centred on the same thing: the faith of the believers.

Paul’s worry for the believers’ faith

From verses 1-5, we see that in the midst of his own suffering, Paul’s worry was not for himself. He seemed to be prepared to face tribulations, and ready to endure the suffering he would face (1 Thess 3:3-4). Instead, he was anxious about not knowing the state of the Thessalonian believers’ faith – whether they had grown, they had been tempted or if they had already fallen away.

“For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.” (1 Thess 3:5)

This reveals Paul’s heart towards pastoring the flock of God: it doesn’t stop at planting the seed. He started the initial work of establishing the church in Thessalonica, but he didn’t settle and stop there. He knew that his labour would be in vain if the believers were tempted and fell away in the faith. From this, we can learn that caring for our brethren is an ongoing journey which includes checking in on them and ensuring that no one is led astray, so that the labour of love we have sown will not be in vain.

Paul’s comfort and joy: the believers’ faith

“Therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.” (1 Thess 3:7-8)

After receiving the good news about the believers’ faith and love, Paul was comforted. Once again, in his suffering, it was not any physical aid or relief from the difficulties that comforted Paul, but the assurance that the believers were standing in their faith. He knew clearly that his primary responsibility was to care for them and ensure that they could stand in their faith, ready to meet the Lord (1 Thess 3:13).

As I was reading and reflecting on this chapter, I was especially touched by verse 9: “For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,” (1 Thess 3:9) Not only was Paul comforted by their faith, it also brought him such great and abundant joy that he was deeply grateful to God for it.

When was the last time that we rejoiced so greatly because of someone else’s faith?

In a recent discussion with some youth about what brings them joy in their faith, someone shared that it was seeing the younger brethren grow in their faith and in their service towards God. That reminded me of this joy that Paul experiences, and it is something we can all experience too! When we see growth in others’ faith, let us be joyful about it, and allow it to strengthen our own.

Paul’s prayer for the believers’ faith

Finally, Paul prays for the believers – that God would allow him to meet them so that he could build them up in their faith (1 Thess 3:10), and that God would help them grow in love and godly virtues, establishing their hearts blameless and ready to meet the Lord (1 Thess 3:12–13).

This is the heart of a shepherd that we should aspire to have, a heart that places the spiritual wellbeing of our brothers and sisters in Christ as a priority. This hymn, Lord, Lay Some Soul upon My Heart (Hymn 508), beautifully reflects this desire to love and nurture the souls entrusted to our care.

Lord, lay some soul upon my heart, and love that soul through me;

And may I bravely do my part to win that soul for Thee

…

To win some soul for Thee alone will be my constant prayer;

That when I’ve reached the great white throne I’ll meet that dear one there

May we, like Paul, allow God to work through us to love and strengthen others, so that ultimately we might all rejoice together before our God when we finally meet Him.