Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Thessalonians 3:2

"and sent Timothy, our brother and God`s minister in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort [you] concerning your faith;" — 1 Thessalonians 3:2 (ASV)

And sent Timothy. That is, evidently, he sent him from Athens—for this is the fair interpretation of the passage. But in the history in Acts 17, there is no mention that Timothy came to Athens at all, and it may be asked how this statement is reconcilable with the record in the Acts.

It is mentioned there that the brethren sent away Paul [from Berea] to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timothy remained there still. And those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens (Acts 17:14–15). The history further states that after Paul had remained some time at Athens, he went to Corinth, where he was joined by Timothy and Silas, who came to him from Macedonia (Acts 18:5).

But, to reconcile the account in the Acts with the statement before us in the epistle, it is necessary to suppose that Timothy had come to Athens. In reconciling these accounts, we may observe that although the history does not expressly mention Timothy's arrival at Athens, there are circumstances mentioned that make this extremely probable.

1. As soon as Paul reached Athens, he sent a message back to Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, and there is every probability that this request would be obeyed (Acts 17:15).
2. His stay at Athens was so that they might join him there. Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him (Acts 17:16).
3. His departure from Athens does not appear to have been in any way hastened or abrupt. He had an opportunity of seeing the city (Acts 17:23). He disputed in the synagogue and in the market daily (Acts 17:17); he held a controversy with the philosophers (Acts 17:18–22); he made converts there (Acts 17:34); and after these things he calmly went to Corinth.
4. The sending back of Timothy to Macedonia, as mentioned in the epistle, is a circumstance that will account for the fact mentioned in Acts 18:5, that Timothy came to him at Corinth, instead of at Athens. He had given directions for him to meet him at Athens (Acts 17:15), but the history mentions only that he met him, after a long delay, at Corinth.

There was no tumult or excitement, and it is not suggested that he was driven away, as in other places, because his life was in danger. There was, therefore, ample time for Timothy to come to him there—for Paul was at liberty to remain as long as he pleased. Since he stayed there for the express purpose of having Timothy and Silas meet him, it is to be presumed that his wish was in this respect accomplished.

This delay, and this change of place when they rejoined each other to work together, can only be accounted for by the supposition that Timothy had come to him at Athens and had been immediately sent back to Macedonia with instructions to join him again at Corinth.

This is one of the "undesigned coincidences" between the history in the Acts of the Apostles and the epistles of Paul, of which Paley (in Horae Paulinae) has made such good use in demonstrating the genuineness of both. "The epistle discloses a fact which is not preserved in the history but which makes what is said in the history more significant, probable, and consistent. The history bears marks of an omission; the epistle furnishes a circumstance which supplies that omission."

Our brother. (See Barnes on Colossians 1:1).

The mention of his being a "brother" is intended to show his interest in the church there. He did not send one whose absence would be no inconvenience to him, or for whom he had no regard. He sent one who was as dear to him as a brother.

And minister of God. This is another circumstance showing his affection for them. He did not send a layman, or one who could not be useful with him or to them; instead, he sent one fully qualified to preach to them and to break to them the Bread of life. One of the richest tokens of affection that can be shown to any people is to send them a faithful minister of God.

And our fellow-laborer in the gospel of Christ. This is a third token of affectionate interest in their welfare. The meaning is, "I did not send one whom I did not want, or who could be of no use here, but one who was a fellow-laborer with me, and whose aid would have been of essential service to me. In parting with him, therefore, for your welfare, I showed a strong attachment to you. I was willing to endure personal inconvenience and additional toil to promote your welfare."

To establish you. This means to strengthen you, to make you firm (Greek: stērixai). This was to be done by presenting considerations that would enable them to maintain their faith steadfastly in their trials.

And to comfort you concerning your faith. It is evident that they were suffering persecution on account of their faith in the Lord Jesus; that is, for their belief in him as a Savior. The object of sending Timothy was to suggest topics of consolation that would sustain them in their trials—namely, that he was the Son of God, that the people of God have been persecuted in all ages, that God was able to support them, and so on.