1 Thessalonians 3:5

For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and that our labor might have been in vain.

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Thessalonian believers while physically separated from them, writing after confirming that his earlier warnings about persecution have occurred and just before Timothy returns with a report.

The words — στέγων (stegōn) means enduring, and ἔπεμψα (epempsa) means I sent, marking the moment Paul’s personal restraint breaks and he acts to verify their spiritual standing.

The thread — The figure of the tempter appears in Matthew 4:3 as the direct opponent of Jesus, in 2 Corinthians 2:11 as the source of schemes believers must recognize, and in James 1:13 where God is explicitly stated as the one who does not tempt anyone.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to examine their own faith under pressure, acknowledge active spiritual opposition, and recognize that pastoral effort depends on the believer’s continued trust.

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

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.

Cross-references

James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.
Matthew 4:3 The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
2 Corinthians 2:11 in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Isaiah 49:4 But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength in futility and vanity; yet My vindication is with the LORD, and My reward is with My God.”
Galatians 1:6 I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.
Philippians 2:16 as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
1 Corinthians 7:5 Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you through your lack of self-control.
2 Corinthians 7:5 For when we arrived in Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were pressed from every direction—conflicts on the outside, fears within.
2 Corinthians 11:2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.