1 Thessalonians 3:1

"Wherefore, when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone. And sent Timothy, our brother and God's minister and our fellow-worker in the Gospel of Christ."

Instead of saying, "we chose." And this he says, not as extolling Timothy, but honoring them, that he sent them the fellow-worker, and minister of the Gospel. As if he had said, Having withdrawn him from his labors we have sent to you the minister of God, and our fellow-laborer in the Gospel of Christ.

"To establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith."

Seest thou how God permits trials, and by them stirs up and awakens the disciples, and makes them more energetic? Then let us not sink down under trials: for He Himself will "also make the way of escape, that we may be able to bear them." Nothing so makes friends, and rivets them so firmly, as affliction: nothing so fastens and compacts the souls of believers: nothing is so seasonable for us teachers in order that the things said by us may be heard. For the hearer when he is in ease is listless and indolent, and seems to suffer annoyance from the speaker: but when he is in affliction and distress, he falls into a great longing for the hearing. For when distressed in his soul, he seeks on all sides to find comfort for his affliction: and the preaching brings no small comfort.

That is: they chose and preferred.

Paul mentioned the trials they had endured and the relief he intended to supply for them. Here he recalls how he came to their assistance through the visit of Timothy. First, Paul deals with the task of his messenger; secondly, Paul talks about the contact established through Timothy (3:6); thirdly, Paul writes on the effect of this contact on the Apostle (3:7). Paul divides the first part into three parts. First, he mentions the reason why he sent him; secondly, he mentions the person whom he sent; thirdly, he speaks further about the reason for sending him.

Paul comments: Therefore, although Satan hindered us, you are still our glory, consequently, when we could bear it no longer, that is, the influence of our love prompting us to go to you: "They have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them" (Is. 1:14), and "Joseph could not control himself" (Gen. 45:1), we were willing, Paul and Silvanus, to be left behind at Athens alone.