Because of your faith

(1 Thess.3:7) “Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.”

Paul’s main concern was about the Thessalonian believers’ faith.  Knowing that what he told them when he was with them, that is persecution (v.4), Paul was afraid that “in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless” (v.5).  So he sent Timothy, “who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage” the Thessalonians in their faith (v.2).  The purpose was so that “no one would be unsettled by these trials” (v.3).  Paul said he was destined for them (v.3).  When Timothy came back to Paul, he brought good news about their faith and love (v.6).  Timothy told him that the Thessalonians always had pleasant memories of him and that they long to see him, “just as we also long to see you” (v.6).  As a result, Paul (and his co-workers) was encouraged in the midst of his distress and persecution because of their faith (v.7).  Indeed, Paul says “For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord” (v.8).  Paul’s prayer was that “Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith” (v.10).  And it is my prayer that our faith continually grow so that we may stand firm in the Lord Jesus Christ.