"And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith."
1 Thessalonians 3:2
Part 1
“And sent Timotheus our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-laborer in the gospel of Christ,”
Paul had great concern for the believers in Thessalonica, he told them that he wanted to be with them as they were going through a time of trial (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18). Since he could not be with them, he sent Timothy, his “son in the faith” to be there. He described Timothy as a “brother,” “God’s minister,” and “fellow-worker.” And then he gives his two reasons for sending Timothy.
“To establish you,”
Paul was concerned not only that the Thessalonians knew the Lord personally, but that their faith was well established. What good would it do them to make a quick profession of faith, but then to fall away soon afterward when the persecution got hot? The Greek word that is translated “establish” means “to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix…to strengthen, make firm”[1] (Thayer). God uses people to help establish new believers in the faith.
“God is said to ‘stablish’: He is the true establisher: ministers are His’ instruments.’” [2]
“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
“To the end, he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints” (1 Thessalonians 3:13).
The Lord told Peter that he should be busy about strengthening (establishing) the other disciples in the faith.
“But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32).
This establishing in the faith is a part of discipleship. As we lead men and women to Jesus Christ, don’t just put them in the nursery with all the other baby believers, no, take the time to build them up in the faith.
“To strengthen you; to make you firm…. This was to be done by presenting such considerations as would enable them to maintain their faith steadfastly in their trials” (Barnes).
Who are you discipling? In your evangelistic fervency, don’t neglect this critical need in the young believer’s life. Come back tomorrow as we see the second reason Paul sent Timothy to the Thessalonians.
[1] J.H. Thayer, Thayer’s Greek Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Jamison, Fausset, and Brown. Jamison-Fausset-Brown’s Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.