1 Thessalonians 3:7

7 In the middle of our trouble and hard times here, just knowing how you're doing keeps us going.

1 Thessalonians 3:7 Meaning and Commentary

1 Thessalonians 3:7

Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over, you
Or "in you", as the Vulgate Latin version; or "from you", as the Arabic; or "by you", as the Syriac; or "for you", as the Ethiopic; that is, on account of them, either by what they had heard was in them, or had heard from them. This gave abundant consolation

in all our affliction and distress:
which they met with at Corinth, where the apostle laboured with his own hands, and ministered to his own, and the necessities of others, and was greatly opposed, reproached, and persecuted; see ( Acts 18:3 Acts 18:6 Acts 18:9 Acts 18:10 Acts 18:12 ) , but the news of the good estate and condition the Thessalonians were in, was a great relief and comfort to him, particularly their faith:

by your faith:
by the report of it, that it grew exceedingly, and that they walked in the truth; see ( 1 John 5:4 ) . The Alexandrian copy reads, "in all your distress and affliction, and by your faith."

1 Thessalonians 3:7 In-Context

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.
6 But now that Timothy is back, bringing this terrific report on your faith and love, we feel a lot better. It's especially gratifying to know that you continue to think well of us, and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you!
7 In the middle of our trouble and hard times here, just knowing how you're doing keeps us going.
8 Knowing that your faith is alive keeps us alive.
9 What would be an adequate thanksgiving to offer God for all the joy we experience before him because of you?
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.