Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Thessalonians 3:4
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
4. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before ] More precisely, used to tell you; this was no single warning, but one repeated and familiar. For other references to the apostles’ previous instruction, see ch. 1Th 2:11-12 ; 1Th 4:1-2; 2Th 2:5; 2Th 2:15; 2Th 3:10.
that we should suffer tribulation ] So rendered again in 2Th 1:4 ; 2Th 1:6, and elsewhere in the A.V.; but the word is the same as that used in 1Th 3:3 ; 1Th 3:7, and ch. 1Th 1:6 affliction (R. V.). The A.V. too often breaks the connection of the sacred writer’s thought by needless variations of this sort.
should is made clearer by the Revised are to suffer: this was matter of certainty in the future, being Divinely appointed (1Th 3:3), a thing one might count upon. And so the event proved: even as it came to pass, and ye know.
All this is recalled to the minds of the readers and dwelt on with iteration, not to justify the Apostle’s foresight for it needed no gift of prophecy to anticipate persecution at Thessalonica but to make them realise how well they had been prepared for what they are now experiencing, and so far to reconcile them to it; comp. Joh 14:29; 1Pe 4:12, “Beloved, count it not strange.” Dr Jowett gives an admirable analysis of the causes of persecution in the Apostolic times in his notes upon this Chapter ( The Epp. of St Paul to the Thessalonians, &c., pp. 70 73, 2nd edition), from which we extract the following sentences: “The fanatic priest, led on by every personal and religious motive; the man of the world, caring for none of these things, but not the less resenting the intrusion on the peace of his home; the craftsman, fearing for his gains; the accursed multitude, knowing not the law, but irritated at the very notion of this mysterious society of such real, though hidden strength, would all work together towards the overthrow of those who seemed to them to be turning upside down the political, religious, and social order of the world. The actual persecution of the Roman government was slight, but what may be termed social persecution and the illegal violence employed towards the first disciples unceasing.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before … – It is not mentioned in the history Acts 17 that Paul thus predicted that special trials would come upon them, but there is no improbability in what is here said. He was with them long enough to discourse to them on a great variety of topics, and nothing can be more probable, than that in their circumstances, the subjects of persecution and affliction would be prominent topics of discourse. There was every reason to apprehend that they would meet with opposition on account of their religion, and nothing was more natural than that Paul should endearour to prepare their minds for it beforehand,
That we should suffer tribulation – We who preached to you; perhaps also including those to whom they preached.
Even as it came to pass, and ye know – When Paul, Silas, and Timothy were driven away, and when the church was so much agitated, by the opposition of the Jews; Act 17:5-8.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
1Th 3:4
When we were with you we told you
The minister to warn his people of future suffering
I.
Ministers should warn young converts of the difficulties of the Christian. They must be taught that a suffering hour will come, and they must expect it. Otherwise there will be inevitable disappointment, and unbelief will be engendered in other matters and perhaps apostasy.
II. When Christians have received these warnings they should forearm themselves.
1. The greatest calamities may be mitigated by forethought and prudence.
2. There are promises of Divine grace of which the Christian should possess himself before they are wanted.
3. Otherwise, in spite of the strongest caution and the most efficient provision, Christians will sink under their trials.
III. The heavier the trial the greater the reward. For our light affliction we shall have an eternal weight of glory. (W. Burditt, M. A.)
Tribulation
We all know in a general way that this word means affliction, sorrow, anguish; but it is quite worth our while to know how it means this. It is derived from the Latin tribulum which was the threshing instrument or harrow, whereby the Roman husbandman separated the corn from the husks; and tribulatio was the act of this separation. But some Latin writer of the Christian Church appropriated the word and image for setting forth of a higher truth; and sorrow, distress, and adversity being the appointed means for the separating in men of whatever in them was light, trivial, and poor, for the solid and the true–their chaff from their wheat–he therefore called these sorrows and trials tribulations, threshings, that is, of the inner spiritual man, without which there could be no fitting him for the heavenly garner. (Abp. Trench.)
The benefit of tribulation
Thus God schooleth and nurtureth His people, that so through many tribulations they may enter to their rest. Frankincense, when it is put into the fire, giveth the greater perfume; spice, if it be pounded, smelleth the sweeter; the earth, when it is torn up with the plough, becometh more fruitful; the seed in the ground, after frost and snow and winter storms, springeth the ranker; the nigher the vine is pruned to the stock, the greater grape it yieldeth; the grape, when it is most pressed and beaten, maketh the sweetest wine; fine gold is the better, when it is cast in the fire; rough stones with hewing are squared and made fit for building; cloth is rent and cut, that it may be made a garment; linen is bucketed, and washed, and wrung, and beaten, and is the fairer. (Bp. Jewel.)
How to deal with troubles
Wesley was one day walking along a road with a Christian man who was relating his troubles, and at the same time saying he did not know what he should do. As his companion was expressing his doubts they happened to pass a stone fence over which a cow was looking. Do you know, asked Wesley, why that cow looks over that wall? No, replied the friend in trouble. I will tell you, answered Wesley, because she cannot look through it. And that is what you must do with your troubles, look over and above them. (W. Baxendale.)
Gods purpose in troubles
Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things. Far up the mountain sides lies a block of granite, and says to itself How happy am I in my serenity–above the winds, above the trees, almost above the flight of birds! Here I rest age after age, and nothing disturbs me! Yet, what is it? It is only a bare block of granite, jutting out of the cliff, and its happiness is the happiness of death. By and by comes the miner, and with strong and repeated strokes he drills a hole in its top, and the rock says, What does this mean? Then the black powder is poured in, and with a blast that makes the mountain echo the block is blown asunder, and goes crashing down the valley. All! it exclaims as it falls, why this rending? Then some saws to fashion it; and humbled now and willing to be nothing, it is borne away from the mountain and conveyed to the city. Now it is chiselled and polished till, at length, finished in beauty it is raised high in the air to be the top stone on some monument of the countrys glory. (H. W. Beecher.)
Unmoved by trial
I have seen a tree proudly crowning the summit of a naked rock, and there, with its roots spread out over the bare stone, and sent down into every cranny in search of food, it stood securely moored to the stormy crag. I have wondered how it could grow up there, starved on the bare, naked rock, and how it had survived the rough nursing of many a winter blast. Yet, like some neglected, ragged child, who from early childhood has been familiar with adversities, it has lived and grown and held itself erect on its weather-beaten crag when the pride of the valley has bent to the storm; like men who, scorning to yield, bravely nail their colours to the mast, there it maintains its defiant position, and keeps its green flag waving on natures rugged battlements. (T. Guthrie, D. D.)
Christian tribulation
How is it, brother? I do not ask you whether you like the cup which you are now drinking; but look back twenty years. What has made you so versatile? What has made you so patient? What has made you so broad, so deep, so rich? God put pickaxes into you, though you did not like it. He dug wells of salvation in you. He took you in His strong hand, and shook you by His north wind, and rolled you in His snows, and fed you with the coarsest food, and clothed you in the coarsest raiment, and beat you as a flail beats grain till the straw is gone, and the wheat is left. And you are what you are by the grace of Gods providence, many of you. By fire, by anvil strokes, by the hammer that breaks the flinty rock, God played miner, and blasted you out of the rock, and then He played stamper and crushed you, and then He played smelter and melted you, and now you are gold free from the rock, by the grace of Gods severity to you. (H. W. Beecher.)
Christian progress a cause of tribulation
Crossing the ocean, I used to hang over the side of the Java to watch the stroke of the wave against the ships cut water. I noticed, when it was foggy, and we were making only seven or eight knots an hour, there was but little stir in the water; but when, in fair weather, we went fourteen knots an hour, the ocean tossed in front of the prow and boiled on either side. So, just in proportion as a Christian makes headway in Christian enterprise, in that ratio will there be commotion and excited resistance in the waters. If nothing has been said against you, if you have never been assaulted, if everybody seems pleased with you, you are simply making little or no progress; you are water logged, and, instead of mastering the wave, the wave masters you. (T. De Witt Talmage, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 4. That we should suffer tribulation] I prepared you for it, because I knew that it was according to their nature for wicked men to persecute the followers of God.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The apostle having said that they knew they were appointed to sufferings, tells them here they knew it because he had told them of it. Paul, by some extraordinary instinct or revelation, often foresaw his sufferings, and God more generally told him of them at his first conversion, Act 9:16; and he told them of them that they might reckon upon sufferings. A faithful minister will not only tell the people of the crown, but of the cross of Christ. And what he foretold of his sufferings, he tells them
came to pass; whereby they might be strengthened further in their faith about the gospel he had preached to them, and not be offended at his sufferings, being foretold to them, as well as appointed of God.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4. that we should sufferGreek,“that we are about (we are sure) to suffer” according tothe appointment of God (1Th3:3).
even as“even(exactly) as it both came to pass and ye know”; yeknow both that it came to pass, and that we foretold it(compare Joh 13:19). Thecorrespondence of the event to the prediction powerfully confirmsfaith: “Forewarned, forearmed” [EDMUNDS].The repetition of “ye know,” so frequently, is designed asan argument, that being forewarned of coming affliction, they shouldbe less readily “moved” by it.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For, verily, when we were with you,…. In presence, in person, as they then were in heart and affection; when they were first among them, and preached the Gospel to them:
we told you before; before it came to pass;
that we should suffer tribulation: which they might say by virtue of Christ’s prediction to all his disciples, that they should have tribulation in the world; and upon its being the common case of God’s people, and the usual way through which they enter the kingdom; and the Apostle Paul might foretell this, upon the discovery that was made to him how many things he should suffer for the sake of Christ, and which therefore he always, and in every place expected; and he might have a particular revelation of the disturbance and opposition he was to meet with at Thessalonica:
even as it came to pass, and ye know; referring to the tumult and uproar in Ac 17:5, and which should be considered so far from being a discouragement, that it was a great confirmation of the truth of their mission and ministry; nor could it be so surprising to them as it might have been had they had no previous taste of it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
We told you beforehand ( ). Imperfect active, we used to tell you beforehand. Old verb, rare in N.T. (only in Paul).
That we are to suffer persecution ( ). and present passive infinitive. Not mere prediction, but God’s appointed will as it turned out in Thessalonica.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “For verily, when we were with you” (kai gar hote pros humas emen) “For even when we were with you all”, in Thessalonica, with threats and persecutions around them (Act 17:1-4), as they preached the Gospel in the Synagogue and in Jason’s home.
2) “We told you before” (proelegomen humin) “we told you before (then).” The knowledgeable and God-called missionary to the Gentiles, related former persecution experiences that he, his companions, and their Lord had endured, Act 14:19-20; Act 16:30-34; Joh 15:20.
3) “That we should suffer tribulation” (hoti mellomen thlibesthai) “that we (are about) to be afflicted”. From past experiences, and a knowledge of the Word of God, Paul sought to help the Thessalonians to understand that doing the will of God brought hatred of the world and victory in the Lord, to-wit: Joseph, Job, Moses, Daniel, and Jesus.
4) “Even as it came to pass, and ye know” (kathos kai egeneto kai oidate) “as indeed ye even know (that) it happened”; When he was driven by death-danger and threats both in Thessalonica and Berea, shortly thereafter, Act 17:5-15. True pastors, missionaries, and Bible teachers forewarn and forearm their people regarding certain trials and persecutions that confront them, assuring them that such, rightly endured, brings rewards, 2Ti 4:7-8.
MINISTERS TO WARN
The Minister’s people to be warned by him of future sufferings. (1) It is the duty of ministers to warn young converts of the difficulties of the Christian life. They must be taught that a suffering hour will come, and they must expect it. (2) When Christians have received these warnings, they should forearm themselves, and not sink under trials when they come. (3) The heavier these trials are, the greater will the reward be–for light affliction we shall have an eternal weight of glory.
-W. Burkitt
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(4) For verily, when . . .To appreciate the nature of the argument, see the passages referred to in the margin.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. We told you before Of that hard but holy mission you were fairly forewarned.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘For truly when we were with you we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.’
Paul reinforces his statements by reminding them that they had continually pre-warned (imperfect) the Thessalonians that tribulation was the Christian’s lot. And now they knew it for themselves for it had happened.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
1Th 3:4 . Reason of .
] The accusative, as in Gal 1:18 ; Gal 2:5 ; 1Co 16:7 , etc.
Also is neither to be restricted to Paul (Oecumenius, Estius, Osiander, Nat. Alexander, Macknight), nor to Paul and his companions (Hofmann), nor to Paul and the Thessalonians (Grotius, Koppe); but, as 1Th 3:3 , to be taken generally: we Christians in general. however, is distinguished from the simple future it characterizes the sufferings as inevitable, as predetermined in the counsels of God.
] from your own experience. Baumgarten-Crusius incorrectly refers it to .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
Ver. 4. We told you before ] Darts foreseen are dintless: premonition is the best premunition. Troubles foretold come never a whit the sooner, but far the easier; whereas coming unexpected, they find weak minds secure, make them miserable, leave them desperate.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
4 .] reason for .
. , see reff.
may be taken either as the recit. present, or better as representing the counsel of God, as in and the like. The subject to ., as above, being ‘we Christians.’
, viz. by experience.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
1Th 3:4 . Cf. Act 17:3 ; Act 17:6 ; Act 17:13 f.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
told . . . before = foretold. Greek. prolego. See 2Co 13:2.
should = were about to.
suffer, &c. = be afflicted. Greek. thlibo.
came to pass. Add “also”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
4.] reason for .
., see reff.
may be taken either as the recit. present, or better as representing the counsel of God, as in and the like. The subject to ., as above, being we Christians.
, viz. by experience.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
1Th 3:4
For verily, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction;-They should not have been surprised at the consequences of their acceptance of the gospel, for he did not withhold from them the inevitable consequences of their accepting the gospel. [There was every reason to apprehend that they would meet with opposition on account of their becoming Christians, and it was natural that Paul should prepare their minds for it beforehand.]
even as it came to pass, and ye know.-[This refers to the time when Paul, Silas, and Timothy were driven away from Thessalonica, and when the church was so much agitated by the violent opposition of the Jews. (Act 17:5-8.)]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
we told: Joh 16:1-3, Act 20:24
even: 1Th 2:2, 1Th 2:14, Act 17:1, Act 17:5-9, Act 17:13, 2Co 8:1, 2Co 8:2, 2Th 1:4-6
Reciprocal: Num 21:4 – the soul Psa 34:19 – Many Psa 66:12 – through Ecc 2:20 – General Mat 6:34 – Sufficient Luk 9:44 – these Luk 14:28 – counteth Luk 21:13 – General Luk 22:36 – But Joh 14:1 – not Joh 14:2 – if Joh 16:33 – In the Act 14:22 – we Col 1:11 – unto 2Ti 1:8 – be thou 2Ti 3:12 – shall Rev 2:9 – tribulation
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Th 3:4. “To be forewarned is to be forearmed” is as true on this subject as on any other. Paul wished that the brethren in Thessalonica would not be surprised by persecutions, lest they might thereby be “overtaken in a fault” (Gal 6:1). To prevent such a result, he told them to be prepared for the trials awaiting them.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
1Th 3:4. We told you before. Paul had not sought to win adherents to the faith by veiling the hardships of the Christian life. It is better that beginners should count the cost and deliberately enter the Christian course, than that they should find themselves involved in difficulties they did not contemplate. As a kindly physician sometimes judges it prudent not only to promise to his patient ultimate restoration, but also to tell him the phases his disease will pass through previous to its removal, so that when he sees new symptoms arising, or feels his strength failing be may not be alarmed, but may recognise this as all foreseen as leading on towards health: thus Paul had dealt with the Thessalonians.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Our apostle informed the Thessalonians in the foregoing verse, with the purpose and decree of God concerning the afflictions which were before them; in this verse he appeals to themselves, as to his own sincerity, in acquainting them, at their first conversion, that they must, through many tribulations, enter into the kingdom of God, and it came to pass accordingly; when we were with you, says the apostle, we told you, before it came to pass, that we should suffer triblulation, and it shortly after came to pass as we told you.
Learn hence, that it is the duty of the ministers of Christ to give timely warning of, and to acquaint young converts early with, the pleasure of God, to exercise all that belong to him with the cross, with a variety of afflictions, trials, and sufferings, before they come, that so they may not stumble, nor be offended at them when they come. The sincerity of our apostle is here very remarkable; when he came first to preach the gospel at Thessalonica, he did not flatter them with the expectation of an earthly paradise of pleasure, but told them plainly, that Christianity had a cross attending it, that a suffering hour would come, and they must expect it; when we were with you, we told you that we should suffer tribulation.
Learn, 2. That when Christians have had timely notice from the ministers of God, and from the word of God, of approaching trials and troubles, before they come, they ought to fore-arm themselves, and not to faint or sink under them when they come, much less to forsake religion because of them, but to continue stedfast, knowing that the heavier the cross is, the weightier will their crown be; for affliction, there is glory; for light affliction, a weight of glory, and for light affliction, which is but of a moment, a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 2Co 4:17.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
For verily, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction; even as it came to pass, and ye know. [As to the affliction which Paul foretold and which came upon them, see Act 17:5-9]