Arc (I've left several propositions together for a more condensed arc. My aim is to highlight the big picture flow of Paul's logic.)

editing

NT

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

esv

mine

But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, x in person not in heart,

we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire y to see you face to face ,

because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—

ground

but Satan z hindered us.

concessive

For what is our hope or a joy or crown of boasting b before our Lord Jesus at his c coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.

Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing d to be left behind at Athens alone, and we e sent Timothy , f our brother and God’s coworker 1 in the gospel of Christ,

to establish and exhort you in your faith,

actionpurpose

that no one be moved by these afflictions.

For you yourselves know that g we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, h just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.

For this reason, i when I could bear it no longer, i I sent to learn about your faith ,

j for fear that somehow k the tempter had tempted you and l our labor would be in vain.

ideaexplanation

inference

But m now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of n your faith and love and reported o that you always remember us kindly and p long to see us, as we long to see you—

for this reason, brothers, 1 in all our distress and affliction q we have been comforted about you through your faith.

For now we live, if you r are standing fast in the Lord.

For s what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,

as we pray most earnestly t night and day u that we may see you face to face and v supply what is lacking in your faith?

actionmanner

actionresult

Now may w our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, x direct our way to you ,

and may the Lord y make you increase and abound in love z for one another and for all, as we do for you,

so that he may a establish your hearts blameless in holiness before w our God and Father, at b the coming of our Lord Jesus c with all his saints.

series

progression

situationresponse

discourse

1438046030091 Arc (I've left several propositions together for a more condensed arc. My aim is to highlight the big picture flow of Paul's logic.) 1439462979 1439778757 editing NT 52 2 17 3 13 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 esv mine But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, x in person not in heart, i1 we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire y to see you face to face , i19 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again— i2 i29 ground 1 but Satan z hindered us. i20 i50 concessive 1 1 For what is our hope or a joy or crown of boasting b before our Lord Jesus at his c coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. i3 i44 ground 1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing d to be left behind at Athens alone, and we e sent Timothy , f our brother and God’s coworker 1 in the gospel of Christ, i5 to establish and exhort you in your faith, i21 i22 actionpurpose 2 that no one be moved by these afflictions. i7 i23 actionpurpose 2 For you yourselves know that g we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, h just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. i18 i26 ground 1 For this reason, i when I could bear it no longer, i I sent to learn about your faith , i9 j for fear that somehow k the tempter had tempted you and l our labor would be in vain. i27 i28 ground 1 i25 ideaexplanation 1 i53 inference 2 But m now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of n your faith and love and reported o that you always remember us kindly and p long to see us, as we long to see you— i10 for this reason, brothers, 1 in all our distress and affliction q we have been comforted about you through your faith. i11 For now we live, if you r are standing fast in the Lord. i12 i51 ground 1 For s what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, i13 as we pray most earnestly t night and day u that we may see you face to face and v supply what is lacking in your faith? i14 i48 actionmanner 1 2 i52 actionresult 2 i49 actionresult 2 Now may w our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, x direct our way to you , i15 and may the Lord y make you increase and abound in love z for one another and for all, as we do for you, i16 so that he may a establish your hearts blameless in holiness before w our God and Father, at b the coming of our Lord Jesus c with all his saints. i17 i36 actionpurpose 2 i35 series i43 progression i42 situationresponse 2 1 1 90 80 60 esv 363 a 325 discourse 11439462978948

Notes

More often than not, Paul was forced to leave a newly formed community of believers much sooner than he would have preferred. It was particularly heart-wrenching in the case of the Thessalonian church. In this passage, Paul details the Progression of his actions in Response to his forced departure. His response develops through four stages: (v. 17-20) He and his co-workers earnestly sought to return to Thessalonica but were met with insurmountable obstacles, which Paul clearly recognizes as from Satan's hand. (v.1-5) Paul knows Satan's schemes and acknowledges his concern for their vulnerability and so, unable to bear the burden of separation any longer, Paul remains alone in Athens and sends Timothy. (v.6-10) Upon Timothy's return with a report full of good news, Paul's spirit is lifted, his heart is full of joy, his prayers overflow with thanks to God. And significantly, Paul is stirred to pray all the more that he might be granted opportunity to see them. (v.11-13) Finally, even as he writes this letter, Paul gives expression to his prayers. It is God who alone opens the doors and directs his steps. It is God alone who will guard and establish the Thessalonians' hearts. In summary, Paul's ministry and the prayers that drive that ministry are under this banner: Satan may be powerful but God is sovereign!

notes

1438046030091 Notes 1438046030 1439780207 More often than not, Paul was forced to leave a newly formed community of believers much sooner than he would have preferred. It was particularly heart-wrenching in the case of the Thessalonian church. In this passage, Paul details the Progression of his actions in Response to his forced departure. His response develops through four stages: (v. 17-20) He and his co-workers earnestly sought to return to Thessalonica but were met with insurmountable obstacles, which Paul clearly recognizes as from Satan's hand. (v.1-5) Paul knows Satan's schemes and acknowledges his concern for their vulnerability and so, unable to bear the burden of separation any longer, Paul remains alone in Athens and sends Timothy. (v.6-10) Upon Timothy's return with a report full of good news, Paul's spirit is lifted, his heart is full of joy, his prayers overflow with thanks to God. And significantly, Paul is stirred to pray all the more that he might be granted opportunity to see them. (v.11-13) Finally, even as he writes this letter, Paul gives expression to his prayers. It is God who alone opens the doors and directs his steps. It is God alone who will guard and establish the Thessalonians' hearts. In summary, Paul's ministry and the prayers that drive that ministry are under this banner: Satan may be powerful but God is sovereign! notes 11438046030327