1 Thessalonians 3:1

King James Version (KJV)

Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Wherefore, when we could no longer, etc. - The apostle was anxious to hear of their state, and as he could obtain no information without sending a messenger express, he therefore sent Timothy from Athens; choosing rather to be left alone, than to continue any longer in uncertainty relative to their state.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Wherefore - See 1 Thessalonians 2:18. This particle ( διὸ dio) is designed here to refer to another proof of his affection for them. One evidence had been referred to in his strong desire to visit them, which he had been unable to accomplish 1 Thessalonians 2:18, and he here refers to another - to wit, the fact that he had sent Timothy to them.

We could no longer forbear - That is, when I could not 1 Thessalonians 3:5, for there is every evidence that Paul refers to himself only though he uses the plural form of the word. There was no one with him at Athens after he had sent Timothy away Acts 17:15; Acts 18:5, and this shows that when, in 1 Thessalonians 2:6, he uses the term apostles in the plural number, he refers to himself only, and does not mean to give the name to Timothy and Silas. If this be so, Timothy and Silas are nowhere called “apostles” in the New Testament. The word rendered here “could forbear” ( στέγοντες stegontes), means, properly, “to cover, to conceal;” and then to hide or conceal anger, impatience, weariness, etc.; that is, to hold out as to anything, to bear with, to endure. It is rendered suffer in 1 Corinthians 9:12; beareth, 1 Corinthians 13:7; and forbear, 1 Thessalonians 3:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:5. It is not elsewhere used in the New Testament. It means that he could no longer bear up under, hide, or suppress his impatience in regard to them - his painful emotions - his wish to know of their state; and he therefore sent Timothy to them.

We thought it good - I was willing to suffer the inconvenience of parting with him in order to show my concern for you.

To be left at Athens alone - Paul had been conducted to Athens from Berea, where he remained until Silas and Timothy could come to him; Acts 17:15. It appears from the statement here that Timothy had joined him there, but such was his solicitude for the church at Thessalonica, that he very soon after sent him there, and chose to remain himself alone at Athens. Why he did not himself return to Thessalonica, is not stated. It is evidently implied here that it was a great personal inconvenience for him thus to part with Timothy, and to remain alone at Athens, and that he evinced the strong love which he had for the church at Thessalonica by being willing to submit to it. What that inconvenience consisted in, he has not stated, but it is not difficult to understand,

(1) he was among total strangers, and, when Timothy was gone, without an acquaintance or friend.

(2) the aid of Timothy was needed in order to prosecute the work which he contemplated. He had requested that Timothy should join him as soon as possible when he left Berea Acts 17:15, and he evidently felt it desirable that in preaching the gospel in that city he should have all the assistance he could obtain. Yet he was willing to forego those comforts and advantages in order to promote the edification of the church at Thessalonica.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

The more we find pleasure in the ways of God, the more we shall desire to persevere therein. The apostle's design was to establish and comfort the Thessalonians as to the object of their faith, that Jesus Christ was the Saviour of the world; and as to the recompence of faith, which was more than enough to make up all their losses, and to reward all their labours. But he feared his labours would be in vain. If the devil cannot hinder ministers from labouring in the word and doctrine, he will, if possible, hinder the success of their labours. No one would willingly labour in vain. It is the will and purpose of God, that we enter into his kingdom through many afflictions. And the apostles, far from flattering people with the expectation of worldly prosperity in religion, told them plainly they must count upon trouble in the flesh. Herein they followed the example of their great Master, the Author of our faith. Christians were in danger, and they should be forewarned; they will thus be kept from being improved by any devices of the tempter.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

1. Wherefore. That is, because of the apostles’ intense love and burden for their converts, and Paul’s continued frustration in his attempts to return to Thessalonica.

Forbear. Gr. stegÅÂ, “to cover,” “conceal,” “to endure” (cf. 1 Cor. 9:12; 13:7). The use of the plural subject in this verse seems to indicate that the apostle wished to make it plain that his companions shared his solicitude for these new believers, and that they participated wholeheartedly in his efforts to solve the problems created by separation (see on 1 Thess. 2:17, 18).

Thought it good. That is, we resolved. The tense of the Greek verb (eudokeÅÂ) shows that a definite decision was made.

At Athens alone. The record states that when Paul had been forced to leave Macedonia, “Silas and Timotheus abode there still” (Acts 17:14). Upon reaching Athens, the apostle sensed the tremendous challenge presented by the cultured heathen metropolis, and felt his own need of faithful helpers. He therefore sent the directive for them “to come to him with all speed” (v. 15). The record in Acts does not state that either Silas or Timothy was able to come to Athens, but the present passage suggests that Timothy did go, and that he was sent back to Macedonia almost immediately, in order to minister to the Thessalonian believers. Paul was to be left alone in Athens. This decision must have been a most difficult one for him to make. The great sacrifice that the apostle was willing to make in depriving himself of Timothy’s companionship and help, indicates the urgency of the needs of the Thessalonians. After his visit there, Timothy, accompanied by Silas, came to Paul at Corinth (ch. 18:5). It is clear, therefore, that the three workers united in the plans which were laid, and that Paul took the initiative, both in making them, and in having them carried out.

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 234

As Paul looked upon the beauty and grandeur surrounding him, and saw the city wholly given to idolatry, his spirit was stirred with jealousy for God, whom he saw dishonored on every side, and his heart was drawn out in pity for the people of Athens, who, notwithstanding their intellectual culture, were ignorant of the true God. AA 234.1

The apostle was not deceived by that which he saw in this center of learning. His spiritual nature was so alive to the attraction of heavenly things that the joy and glory of the riches which will never perish made valueless in his eyes the pomp and splendor with which he was surrounded. As he saw the magnificence of Athens he realized its seductive power over lovers of art and science, and his mind was deeply impressed with the importance of the work before him. AA 234.2

In this great city, where God was not worshiped, Paul was oppressed by a feeling of solitude, and he longed for the sympathy and aid of his fellow laborers. So far as human friendship was concerned, he felt himself to be utterly alone. In his epistle to the Thessalonians he expresses his feelings in the words, “Left at Athens alone.” 1 Thessalonians 3:1. Obstacles that were apparently insurmountable presented themselves before him, making it seem almost hopeless for him to attempt to reach the hearts of the people. AA 234.3

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1 Thessalonians 3:1