Bible Strands
1 Thessalonians 3:7
For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Thessalonian church, reporting Timothy’s recent return with news of their faith and love. He addresses them as brothers while he remains in a state of active distress and persecution.
The words — παρεκλήθημεν (pareklēthēmen) literally means "we were encouraged" or "reassured." It is governed by διὰ (dia, "because of") τοῦτο (touto, "this"), creating a direct causal link to the faith reported in the preceding visit.
The thread — The text ties pastoral reassurance to congregational faith, a pattern repeated in 2 John 1:4 where the author rejoices at believers walking in truth, and aligns with the mutual comfort described in 2 Corinthians 1:4. It stands alongside the apostolic condition detailed in 1 Corinthians 4:9, which describes leaders as a public spectacle and prisoners appointed for death.
Why it lands — The passage states that reported faith functions as concrete relief for leaders under persecution, not by eliminating hardship but by sustaining endurance. It requires readers to treat their spiritual standing as a tangible resource for those who shepherd them.
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
Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
- 2 John 1:4 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.
- 1 Corinthians 4:9 For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.
- 2 Corinthians 7:6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,
- 2 Corinthians 11:23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am speaking as if I were out of my mind.) I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:8 For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord.
- Acts 17:4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women.
- 2 Timothy 3:10 You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance,
- 2 Corinthians 7:13 On account of this, we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were even more delighted by the joy of Titus. For his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.