Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,
Parallel translations
- KJV Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
- BSB So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens.
- NKJV Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,
- NASB Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to be left behind, alone at Athens,
- NLT Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Unable to bear the separation longer, Paul chose to stay alone in Athens. His concern for them moved him to costly action.
Overview
Paul's longing (2:17) became unbearable, so he resolved to be left by himself in Athens in order to send help to Thessalonica. The phrase "left behind" hints at the personal cost of his pastoral love. His willingness to be alone for their sake shows how deeply he cared for their endurance in the faith.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Acts 17:15But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him very quickly, they departed.
- 1 Th 3:5For this cause I also, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.
- 1 Th 2:17But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,
- Jer 20:9If I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I can’t.
- 2 Cor 2:13I had no relief for my spirit, because I didn’t find Titus, my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went out into Macedonia.
- Jer 44:22Thus Yahweh could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which you have committed; therefore your land has become a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without inhabitant, as it is today.
- 2 Cor 11:29–30Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I don’t burn with indignation?
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Christ at the center
The believer waits for God's Son from heaven, Jesus who delivers from the wrath to come and who will return to gather his people to himself.
How 1 Thessalonians 3:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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