I Thessalonians 3:1-3

"Therefore when we were out of patience, we took pleasure in being abandoned in Athens all alone." (I Thessalonians 3:1)

It was not easy for Paul to be left alone in Athens. He wanted help. But he was impatient for news from the Thessalonians.

"So we sent Timothy, our brother and a fellow-worker of God in the Good News of Christ. We sent him to help you stand firm and to encourage your faith." (I Thessalonians 3:2)

Paul sent to the Thessalonians Timothy, who would have been a big help to Paul in Athens. But he wanted Timothy to strengthen and encourage the Thessalonians in their Christian walk.

"To make sure that none of you are enticed in these afflictions. For you all know that this is our destiny." (I Thessalonians 3:3)

Paul was concerned that the believers would be encouraged to leave the faith in the midst of persecution and problems. Paul reminds them that the Christian's destiny is to suffer. Jesus suffered; we will suffer.

I Thessalonians 2:17-20

"But brothers, we were bereaved of you for an hour, in presence not in heart. We strove earnestly to see your face with much desire." (I Thessalonians 2:17)

When Paul was forced to leave the Thessalonians, he felt like he was leaving his own children. He had a great desire to see them again.

"Therefore we intended to come to you all. I, Paul, tried many times but Satan keeps putting barriers in my path." (I Thessalonians 2:18)

We do not know exact details, but some how Satan had prevented Paul from returning to Thessalonica on more than one occasion.

"For what is our hope or joy or prize that we can boast about? Is it not you all, when we are before the Lord Jesus at His arrival. For you all are our praise and joy." (I Thessalonians 2:19, 20)

Paul says that when he stands before the Lord, his hope, joy and prize will be those who are there beside him because of his ministry and witness.

I Thessalonians 2:15, 16

"The ones who also killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets. And they rejected and drove us out. And they do not please God. And they are hostile to all men." (I Thessalonians 2:15)

This is Paul's most direct condemnation of his own people. The Jewish leaders with the Roman authorities put Jesus to death. The Jews often attacked those who spoke to them in God's name. Rather than being an example to other nations and seeking to bring them to God, they hated other nations.

"They were preventing us from talking to other people groups lest they be saved. They are completing their evil acts always, making their progress towards the completion of wrath." (I Thessalonians 2:16)

What made them really upset with Paul was not that he taught that Jesus was the Messiah, but that he taught that non-Jews could be right with God. Paul warns that the Jews were heading towards judgment. This is likely a reference to the destruction of the temple in 70 AD.