Paul’s Desire to Revisit the Thessalonians

17 But when* we were made orphans by separation from you, brothers, for ⌊a short time⌋e (in face, not in heart), we were even more eager with great desire to see your face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, ⌊on more than one occasion⌋f—and Satan hindered us. 19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Paul Sends Timothy to Thessalonica

3 Therefore when we* could bear it no longer, we determined to be left behind in Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, in order to strengthen and to encourage you about your faith, 3 so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed for this, 4 for indeed when we were with you we told you beforehand that we were about to be afflicted, just as indeed it happened, and you know. 5 Because of this, I also, when I* could endure it no longer, sent in order to know your faith, lest somehow the tempter tempted you and our labor should be in vain.