Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know.
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.
- BSB Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.
- 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.
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 assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews;
- 2 Cor 8:1–2Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia;
- 1 Th 2:2but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God in much conflict.
- Acts 17:13But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, agitating the multitudes.
- 2 Th 1:4–6so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your perseverance and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure.
- John 16:1–3“I have said these things to you so that you wouldn’t be caused to stumble.
- Acts 17:1Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
- Acts 17:5–9But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people.
- Acts 20:24But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.