1 Thessalonians 3:7

We were comforted. Paul, who was so careful to encourage others, is himself comforted by those whom he is seeking to help. Even so may God’s modern ministers be heartened by those for whom they labor. The best encouragement a convert can give to the one who has brought him to the Saviour, is to be steadfast in the Christian way.

Affliction and distress. Textual evidence attests (cf. p. 10) the inversion of the words “affliction” (thlipsis) and “distress” (anagke). For the meaning of the two Greek words see on Rom. 2:9 and 1 Cor. 7:26 respectively. Some interpreters have thought that the phrase “affliction and distress” refers to inner and outer troubles. The more likely reference is to the severe trials imposed by the Jews upon the apostle in Corinth (Acts 18:1-17). There the Jewish leaders had so vehemently and blasphemously objected to Paul’s preaching of the gospel that he separated himself from them, and turned completely to the Gentiles (v. 6). Their harassing attempts to silence him did not cease, but rather increased, until they stirred up open insurrection against him (vs. 12). At such a time of trouble the Lord in a vision mercifully encouraged Paul to be bold in presenting his message, and assured him of protection and success in his work (vs. 9, 10). It was probably at this time that he received the comforting message brought by Timothy.