Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.
Parallel translations
- WEB For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.
- KJV For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
- NKJV For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.
- NASB For even when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it happened, as you know.
- NLT Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know.
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
Paul had warned them in advance that affliction would come, and it did. The trials they faced confirmed rather than contradicted his teaching.
Overview
Paul recalls telling them beforehand to expect suffering, which then happened just as predicted. This forewarning was meant to fortify them so trials would not catch them off guard. The fulfillment of his words also confirmed the trustworthiness of his ministry and message.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- 1 Th 2:14For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews,
- 2 Cor 8:1–2Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.
- 1 Th 2:2As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God.
- Acts 17:13But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that Paul was also proclaiming the word of God in Berea, they went there themselves to incite and agitate the crowds.
- 2 Th 1:4–6That is why we boast among God’s churches about your perseverance and faith in the face of all the persecution and affliction you are enduring.
- John 16:1–3“I have told you these things so that you will not fall away.
- Acts 17:1When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
- Acts 17:5–9The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people.
- Acts 20:24But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
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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 3:4 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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