John Calvin Commentary 1 Thessalonians 3:1

"Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone;" — 1 Thessalonians 3:1 (ASV)

Therefore, when we could no longer endure (1 Thessalonians 3:1). By the detail that follows, Paul assures them of the desire he had spoken of.

For if he had been detained elsewhere and had sent no one else to Thessalonica in his place, it might have seemed as if he were not very concerned about them. But by substituting Timothy in his place, he removes that suspicion, especially as he prefers them to himself.

That he esteemed them more than himself, he shows by this: he chose to be left alone rather than have them be deserted. For these words, we judged it good to be left alone (1 Thessalonians 3:1), are emphatic.

Timothy was a very faithful companion to Paul: Paul had no one else with him at that time, and so it was inconvenient and distressing for him to be without Timothy. It is therefore a sign of rare affection and anxious desire that Paul was willing to deprive himself of all comfort in order to relieve the Thessalonians.

The word εὐδοκήσαμεν has the same significance, expressing a prompt inclination of the mind.