Bible Strands
1 Thessalonians 3:6
But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Thessalonian church while enduring distress and persecution, immediately after describing his decision to send Timothy to verify the believers' spiritual condition.
The words — ἄρτι (arti) translates as "just now," marking the immediate timing of Timothy’s arrival, while ἐλθόντος (elthontos) is a genitive participle meaning "when he came" or "upon his return."
The thread — The report of faith and love functions as life-giving relief, paralleling the "good news from a distant land" in Proverbs 25:25 and the messengers who "bring good tidings" in Isaiah 52:7.
Why it lands — The verse states that Timothy brought news of the community's faith, love, and preserved memories, then notes the mutual longing for face-to-face fellowship. It requires the reader to verify that pastoral encouragement rests on observable communal faithfulness rather than private assurance, demanding active preservation of love and doctrinal practice.
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
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:
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 11:2 Now I commend you for remembering me in everything and for maintaining the traditions, just as I passed them on to you.
- Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
- Proverbs 25:25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
- Acts 18:5 And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3 and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 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.
- Philippians 1:8 God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
- Acts 18:1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
- 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.
- Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love.