1 Thessalonians 3:1-2

1 Thessalonians 3:1-2

[1] Wherefore  no longer  forbear,  we thought it good  to be left  at  Athens  alone;  [2] And  sent  Timotheus,  brother,  and  of God,  and  fellowlabourer  in  the gospel  of Christ,  to  establish  and  to comfort  faith: 

What does 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Paul returned to the report of his plans ( 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18). He explained that by the time Hebrews , Silas, and Timothy had reached Athens they felt they could not stay away from their young converts in Thessalonica any longer. They decided that Timothy should return. Silas evidently went back to Philippi and or Berea ( Acts 18:5). Paul may have described Timothy as he did here to give this young brother more stature in the eyes of the Thessalonians. Timothy"s mission was to strengthen and encourage the new Christians in their faith so the persecution they were experiencing would not discourage them excessively.
Paul may have chosen to send Timothy rather than to return personally for any number of reasons. Timothy was the junior member of the missionary team, and Paul and Silvanus were the senior members. Timothy had a Greek father and probably looked somewhat Greek. He would, therefore, have attracted no special interest in a Greek city whereas Paul was immediately recognizable as a Jew (cf. Acts 16:20). [1]