1 Thessalonians 3:7
What does 1 Thessalonians 3:7 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 3:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Thessalonians 3:7 means
Hearing of the Thessalonians’ steadfast faith comforted Paul and his companions amid their own troubles. Their endurance did not remove Paul’s afflictions, but it refreshed his spirit within them. This shows how believers’ faith strengthens others, even at a distance. Ministry is mutual: pastors labor for a church’s stability, and the church’s faith, in turn, sustains its pastors. Comfort here is not mere sentiment; it is the solid encouragement that comes from seeing God’s grace at work. Their faith became a balm to Paul’s distress, proving that the gospel bears fruit under pressure and reminding him that his sacrifices were not wasted.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this cause, brothers, in all our trouble and grief we were comforted about you because of your faith;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862because of this we were comforted, brethren, over you, in all our tribulation and necessity, through your faith,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore we were comforted, brethren, in you, in all our necessity and tribulation, by your faith.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for this reason we have been comforted in you, brethren, in all our distress and tribulation, through your faith,
Context
Following the report in verse 6, verse 7 explains its effect: comfort in the midst of Paul’s ongoing hardships. The news did not change Paul’s circumstances, but it transformed his outlook. This prepares for verse 8’s strong statement of renewed life and then the overflow of thanksgiving (verse 9). The flow shows how good reports of perseverance can lift weary servants and propel them into deeper prayer and gratitude (verses 9–10).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 4:9
For, I think, God hath set forth us the apostles last of all, as men doomed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, both to angels and men.
- Acts 17:4
And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft.
- 2 Corinthians 7:6
Nevertheless he that comforteth the lowly, even God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
- 2 Corinthians 1:4
who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
- 2 Timothy 3:10
But thou didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,
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