John Calvin 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)

Our brother. He assigns to him these marks of commendation to show more clearly how much inclined he was to promote their welfare. For if he had sent them some ordinary person, it could not have been of much assistance to them; and since Paul could have done this without inconvenience to himself, he would have given no remarkable proof of his fatherly concern for them.

It is, on the other hand, a great thing that he deprives himself of a brother and fellow-laborer—one to whom, as he declares in Philippians 2:20, he found no equal, since all others aimed at promoting their own interests.

Meanwhile, he establishes authority for the doctrine they had received from Timothy, so that it might remain more deeply impressed upon their memory.

It is, however, with good reason that he says he had sent Timothy with this purpose: that they might receive a confirmation of their faith from his example. They might be intimidated by unpleasant reports regarding persecutions, but Paul’s undaunted constancy was all the more suited to encourage them, to keep them from giving way.

And certainly, the fellowship that should exist between the saints and members of Christ extends even to this point: that the faith of one is the consolation of others. Thus, when the Thessalonians heard that Paul was continuing with tireless zeal, and through strength of faith was overcoming all dangers and difficulties, and that his faith continued everywhere victorious against Satan and the world, this brought them considerable consolation.

Especially, we are, or at least should be, motivated by the examples of those who instructed us in the faith, as is stated at the end of the Epistle to the Hebrews (Hebrews 13:7). Paul, therefore, means that they should be strengthened by his example, so that they would not give way under their afflictions.

However, since they might have been offended if Paul had feared that they should all give way under persecutions (as this would have been evidence of excessive distrust), he mitigates this harshness by saying, lest any one, or, that no one. There was, however, good reason for this fear, since there are always some weak persons in every society.