Timothy’s Visit

1Wherefore being able to contain no longer, we were content to be left alone at Athens, 2and sent Timothy our brother, and a minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you concerning your faith; 3that no one might be shaken by these afflictions: for ye yourselves know that we are appointed hereunto. 4For when we were with you, we told you before that we should be afflicted, as it came to pass, and ye know. 5For this cause being able to wait no longer, I sent to know the state of your faith, least the tempter should have tempted you, and our labor have been in vain.

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

6But now Timothy being come back to us from you, and having brought us good tidings concerning your faith and love, and that ye have always a good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we indeed do to see you; 7by this we were comforted in you, my brethren, under all our affliction and distress, because of your faith: 8for now we are revived, since you are stedfast in the Lord. 9For what thanks can we render to God concerning you, for all the joy wherewith we rejoice on your account before our God, 10night and day most ardently praying, that we may see your face, and perfect whatever is wanting in your faith?

11And may God himself even our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way to you: 12and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love to one another, and to all men, as we do towards you: 13that your hearts may be established unblameable in holiness, before God even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints.