Timothy Brings Good News
Unable to bear the silence, Paul stayed behind in Athens alone and sent Timothy to find out whether their faith had survived the pressure. Timothy came back with good news, and the relief is audible: now we live. He prays their love will overflow before Jesus comes.
3 1So when we could bear it no longer, we chose to stay behind in Athens alone, 2we sent Timothy, our brother and coworker of our Father in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3so none of you would be shaken by these hardships—you yourselves know we're destined for this. 4When we were with you, we told you beforehand we would suffer hardship—and it happened, as you know. 5So, unable to wait any longer, I sent to learn about your faith—fearing the tempter had tempted you and our labor was wasted.
6But Timothy has just come to us from you, bringing good news of your faith and love—that you always think fondly of us, longing to see us as we long to see you. 7So, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and hardship, your faith comforted us, 8for now we live, if you are standing firm in the Lord. 9What thanks can we repay our Father for you, for all the joy we rejoice before our Father because of you? 10Night and day we pray intensely to see you face to face and complete what your faith still lacks?
11Now may our Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. 12May the Lord make you grow and overflow with love for one another and all, as we do for you, 13so he may strengthen your hearts, blameless in holiness before our Father, when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. a a v13 'His holy ones' may refer to angels, to believers who have already died, or to both.
