Deeper Reflection
ONE SIGNIFICANT THING THAT PAUL AND THE THESSALONIANS had in common was the “destined” suffering of affliction (1 Thess 3:3-4, 7). The “distress and affliction” (v.7) that Paul suffered refers to “the adversity the people of God face before the final end”³⁷ as well as “the ongoing distresses of Christians during this age”³⁸ (1 Cor 7:26). Reflected in this fellowship of Christ’s suffering (cf. Phil 3:10) is spiritual friendship in discipleship suffering.The spiritual friendship between Paul and the Thessalonians is marked by mutual longing: “[you] long (epipotheō) to see us, as we long to see you” (v.6). The verb epipotheō that expresses this longing for reunion means “to desire intensely”, and communicates “something of the anxiousness and discontent that come with not getting what one desires”³⁹. This shows a high-quality relationship marked by commitment and closeness. And it is not one-sided, but mutual. It certainly takes interest, time and effort to cultivate this kind of relationship. Do we have such mutual longing in our Christian community when we remember and think much of each other?The spiritual friendship is also marked by mutual encouragement. Timothy was sent to the Thessalonians to “encourage” them in their faith (v.2). But now, Paul was in turn “encouraged about you through your faith” “in all our distress and affliction” (v.7). Oftentimes, when we suffer, we feel the struggles and pains more than the fact that we are “standing fast in the Lord” (v.8). But people can see that steadfastness of faith in us and are encouraged in their suffering to be likewise.

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³⁷ Gene L. Green, 167 ³⁸ Gary S. Shogren, 141 ³⁹ Gene L. Green, 167