Session 4 1 Thessalonians 3:4-13
listen as if recipients of the letter.
share emotions they may have felt after hearing Paul’s words.
4 In fact, when we were with you, !`we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, !`and as you know, it happened. !`5 For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, !`I also sent him to find out about your faith, !`fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.
The word affliction refers to a pressing together to the point of crushing something.
Paul did not want the church to be shaken by these pressures
being exerted on the Thessalonian believers.
So, out of love he provided advance warning.
A transition takes place in this chapter at verse 6.
Paul might have been expecting the worst, but Timothy had returned with good news.