So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens.
Parallel translations
- WEB Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,
- KJV Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
- 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 17:15Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then returned with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
- 1 Th 3:5For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and caused our labor to be in vain.
- 1 Th 2:17Brothers, although we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in heart), our desire to see you face to face was even more intense.
- Jer 20:9If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.
- 2 Cor 2:13I had no peace in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.
- Jer 44:22So the LORD could no longer endure the evil deeds and detestable acts you committed, and your land became a desolation, a horror, and an object of cursing, without inhabitant, as it is this day.
- 2 Cor 11:29–30Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with grief?
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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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