I Thessalonians 3:7-9

"Therefore we were encouraged, brothers, in our distress and afflictions by your faith." (I Thessalonians 3:7)

Paul had his own struggles. The fact that his children in the faith were remaining firm in difficult circumstances made Paul believe that his faithfulness in the midst of torments had been worth it.

"We now live if you stand firm in the Lord." (I Thessalonians 3:8)

Just by being true to their faith, they were giving Paul the strength to continue his ministry.

"For what act of giving thanks to God can we do that will repay him for you? With an overflowing joy, we rejoice because of you in him." (I Thessalonians 3:9)

Throughout this passage, Paul heaps exaggeration upon exaggeration to try to express his deep feelings for the believers in Thessalonica. In this verse, he states that it is impossible for him to give God the thanks due him because of them. He has an overflowing joy as he thanks God for them.

I Thessalonians 3:4-6

"For even when we were there with you, we repeatedly told you that we were about to suffer affliction. And as you know, we were right." (I Thessalonians 3:4)

Paul had warned them that persecution would come.

"Therefore I ran out of patience and send Timothy so that I could know about your faith, lest some how the Tempter had tempted you and our labor was wasted." (I Thessalonians 3:5)

Paul was anxious about how these believers had handled the attacks of Satan. He had seen others leave the faith and fall by the wayside. He could not wait to find out about this group of believers.

"But now Timothy has returned to us from you. He has given us good news about your faith and your sacrificial love, and you have good memories of us. You desire earnestly to see us, even as we desire to see you." (I Thessalonians 3:6)

This may be the only place in the New Testament where the word for Gospel (good news) is used of news other than the news of God's salvation in Jesus Christ. This shows how much this good report meant to Paul. It was a relief to him that not only were these believers still faithful but that they cared for him and wanted to see him again. The false reports and accusations made by his enemies had fallen on deaf ears.