1 Thessalonians 3:3

3 Not that the troubles should come as any surprise to you. You've always known that we're in for this kind of thing. It's part of our calling.

1 Thessalonians 3:3 Meaning and Commentary

1 Thessalonians 3:3

That no man should be moved by these afflictions
Which the apostle endured for the sake of preaching the Gospel among them, and which he feared might be a means of troubling their minds, of shaking their faith, and moving them from the hope of the Gospel; for though none of these things moved him, who was an old soldier of Christ, and used to hardness, and an apostle of Christ; yet these were young converts, and not used to such things, and therefore might be staggered at them, and be offended, as stony ground hearers are; and though the apostle hoped better things of them, yet was he concerned for them, that no one among them might be unhinged by them, or succumb under them:

for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto;
by the immutable decree of God: afflictions, as to their nature, measure, and duration, are appointed for the people of God, and they are appointed for them; this is the case of all who will live godly in Christ Jesus, and especially of Gospel ministers; of which these saints had been apprized by the apostle, and therefore was nothing new, unheard of, and unexpected, or to be looked upon as a strange thing; and seeing this was the appointment of heaven, and the will of God, they should be patiently endured, and quietly submitted to.

1 Thessalonians 3:3 In-Context

1 So when we couldn't stand being separated from you any longer and could find no way to visit you ourselves, we stayed in Athens

2 and sent Timothy to get you up and about, cheering you on so you wouldn't be discouraged by these hard times. He's a brother and companion in the faith, God's man in spreading the Message, preaching Christ.

3 Not that the troubles should come as any surprise to you. You've always known that we're in for this kind of thing. It's part of our calling.

4 When we were with you, we made it quite clear that there was trouble ahead. And now that it's happened, you know what it's like.

5 That's why I couldn't quit worrying; I had to know for myself how you were doing in the faith. I didn't want the Tempter getting to you and tearing down everything we had built up together.