1 Thessalonians 3:2

Sent Timotheus. See on v. 1.

Minister. Gr. diakonos (see on Mark 9:35).

Our fellowlabourer. Textual evidence is divided (cf. p. 10) between including and excluding this phrase. Whether it is included or not, Paul is highly commending Timothy. The younger man was not only Paul’s brother, fellow believer, and associate, but was also a fellow worker with God in proclaiming the gospel of Christ. This noble conception of being linked with God in His great mission of love for fallen humanity occupied a prominent place in Paul’s thinking, and often found expression in his writings (cf. Rom. 1:9; 1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor. 6:1; Phil. 4:3).

To establish. Gr. sterizo (see on Rom. 16:25). The chief objective of Timothy’s visit was to strengthen and confirm the believers, that none might turn back.

To comfort. Gr. parakaled (see on Matt. 5:4). The second purpose in Timothy’s mission was to exhort the believers. This would include a review of what they had been taught, a widening of their doctrinal horizons, and a strengthening of their daily Christian experience. All this is found in the phrase “concerning your faith.”