Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Thessalonians 3:6

"But when Timothy came even now unto us from you, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, even as we also [to see] you;" — 1 Thessalonians 3:6 (ASV)

But now when Timotheus came from you to us. He came to us in Corinth, after he had been sent to Thessalonica (Acts 18:5; compare to 1 Thessalonians 3:2).

And brought us good tidings. This means a cheerful or favourable account. Greek: "evangelizing;" that is, bringing good news.

Of your faith. This refers to your faithfulness or fidelity. Amidst all their trials, they demonstrated fidelity to the Christian cause.

And charity. This means love (see 1 Corinthians 13:1).

And that you have good remembrance of us always. This probably means that they showed their remembrance of Paul by obeying his precepts and by cherishing all affectionate regard for him, despite all the efforts that had been made to alienate their affections from him.

Greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you. There was no inclination on their part to blame him for having left them, or because he did not return to them. They would have welcomed him again as their teacher and friend. The meaning of this is that there was a strong mutual attachment between him and them.

Note: "charity" means "love." For "desiring greatly," refer to Philippians 1:8.