Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Thessalonians 3:6

6 But now, when Timotheus came from you to us, and brought us good tydings of your faith and charity , and that ye have good remembrance of us alwaies , desiring greatly to see us , as we also to see you .

We had before an account of Timothies sending, now of his return, wherein we have the message he brought, and the effect thereof upon the Apostle. The message may be considered, 1. As to its new-coming, But now when Timotheus came, &c. so that this Epistle seems to be writ presently upon his return. 2. As to the good account it brought of them, It brought good tydings; (the same word is here used that expresseth in the Greek the glad tydings of the Gospel) of their Faith, that it continued still stedfast.

They forgot him not, though absent some length of time from them; and it was a good remembrance joyned with Love and Esteem of his Person, and of his Ministry amongst them; and it was alwaies, which implies the constancy of it.

And not satisfied with this good remembrance of him being absent, they greatly desired his presence to see him and his fellow-labourers.

And to answer their Love on his part, he addeth, as we also to see you. By all which he seeks to satisfie them of his continued care and remembrance of them, which was the effect of this message.

Marginal references: Or, love.; And of their Charity or Love, that they had Love joyned with their Faith, and their Faith working by Love, which shewed it was living, and of a right kind.