1 Thessalonians 3:2
And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
Study Note
Study Note
Paul describes sending Timothy as 'our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-laborer in the gospel of Christ' — a triple designation that establishes Timothy's full apostolic standing. The purpose was to 'establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith' during Paul's inability to visit — showing that apostolic care operates through authorized co-workers when personal presence is impossible. The 'establish' (sterizo) and 'comfort' (parakaleo) functions of the apostolic visit reflect the early church's understanding that conversion is the beginning of a process of strengthening that requires ongoing pastoral attention. Acts 15:32 and 41 use the same verbs for Paul and Barnabas's revisit to established churches.
Other Translations
and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s minister in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;
and did send Timotheus--our brother, and a ministrant of God, and our fellow-workman in the good news of the Christ--to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith,
We sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the good news of Christ, to give you strength and comfort in your faith;
Cross References
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much …
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the …
Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a …
And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus …
And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come …
And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews …
Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who …
Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the …