Bible Strands
1 Thessalonians 3:2
We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Thessalonian church from a period of forced separation, explaining that he dispatched Timothy after being unable to remain in Athens. He addresses the congregation directly to clarify why a trusted coworker was sent to them.
The words — The text records ἐπέμψαμεν (epempsamen), meaning "we sent," and διάκονον (diakonon), meaning "servant" or "minister." These terms establish Timothy’s role as a formally appointed agent of the apostolic mission.
The thread — This pattern of deploying coworkers to fortify believers appears in Acts 14:22 and Philippians 2:19, where Paul similarly sends trusted figures to sustain congregational faith. The practice continues in Ephesians 6:21 through the parallel dispatch of Tychicus.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to acknowledge that faith endurance is maintained through intentional human mediation rather than solitary effort. It calls the audience to actively receive and cooperate with the structured pastoral care provided by appointed workers.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
Cross-references
- Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
- Ephesians 6:21 Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing.
- Philippians 2:19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I learn how you are doing.
- Acts 16:1 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where he found a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman and a Greek father.
- Acts 17:14 The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.
- Romans 16:21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen.
- 1 Corinthians 16:10 If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.
- 2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
- 2 Corinthians 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed among you by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in Him it has always been “Yes.”
- 2 Corinthians 8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.