But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

1 THESSALONIANS 3:6KJV
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1 Thessalonians 3:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Thessalonians 3:6 mean?

1 Thessalonians 3:6 describes how Timothy returned to Paul and his companions with encouraging news about the Thessalonian believers’ strong faith and love, and how the Thessalonians still remembered Paul fondly and wanted to see him again, just as he longed to see them. This verse highlights the mutual affection and ongoing connection between Paul and the Thessalonian church.

Paul is writing to the church in Thessalonica, recounting how Timothy had visited them and then come back with a positive report. The situation is that Paul had been worried about the Thessalonians’ spiritual well-being, but Timothy’s news reassured him. The verse shows the warmth of their relationship and the importance of faith and love in their community.

The Greek behind 1 Thessalonians 3:6

  • The word "faith" (πίστις, pistis) and "charity" (ἀγάπη, agapē) are both mentioned, emphasizing not just belief but also active love within the church. The pairing here shows that Paul values both their trust in God and their care for one another.
  • The phrase "good remembrance" (ἀγαθὴν μνείαν, agathēn mneian) means more than just remembering; it carries the sense of holding someone in high regard or with affection. This highlights the deep bond between Paul and the Thessalonians.
  • The word "desiring greatly" (ἐπιποθοῦντες, epipothountes) expresses a strong longing or yearning, not just a casual wish. Paul is pointing out that the feeling of wanting to see each other is intense and mutual.

Why 1 Thessalonians 3:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Thessalonians had not forgotten Paul or turned away from him, despite his absence and their own hardships; instead, their relationship remained strong.
  • The emphasis on both "faith" and "love" shows that Paul sees a healthy church as one marked by both trust in God and genuine care for others, not just one or the other.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing why Paul is comforted and encouraged, setting up his gratitude and further teaching in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“remembrance” Greek G3417 · used in 7 verses

  • Romans 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
  • Philippians 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
  • 2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

“greatly” Greek G1971 · used in 9 verses

  • Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
  • 2 Corinthians 9:14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
  • 2 Timothy 1:4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

“as” Greek G2509 · used in 13 verses

  • Romans 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
  • 2 Corinthians 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
  • 1 Thessalonians 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

“Timotheus” Greek G5095 · used in 28 verses

  • Acts 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
  • 1 Corinthians 16:24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus and Timotheus.
  • 1 Timothy 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.