1 Thessalonians 3:5

³ so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.

⁴ Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.

For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and caused our labor to be in vain.

⁶ But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.

⁷ For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and caused our labor to be in vain.
KJV: For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
WEB: For this cause I also, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.
ASV: For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.
DARBY: For this reason *I* also, no longer able to refrain myself, sent to know your faith, lest perhaps the tempter had tempted you and our labour should be come to nothing.
BLB: Because of this I also, bearing [it] no longer, sent in order to know your⁺ faith, lest somehow the one tempting had tempted you⁺, and our labor might be in vain.

ÅB: Derfor sendte jeg da også bud, da jeg ikke lenger kunne holde det ut, for å få vite om deres tro, om fristeren skulle ha fristet dere og vårt arbeide skulle bli forgjeves
OTB: Av denne grunn, da jeg ikke lenger kunne holde det ut, sendte jeg også for å finne ut om deres tro, av frykt for at fristeren kunne ha fristet dere, og vårt arbeid ville være forgjeves.
B1930: Derfor sendte jeg da også bud, da jeg ikke lenger kunde holde det ut, for å få vite om eders tro, om fristeren skulde ha fristet eder og vårt arbeide skulde bli forgjeves

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

James 1:13–14
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.
Read in context
Matthew 4:3
The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Read in context
2 Corinthians 2:11
in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Read in context
Galatians 1:6–9
I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
Read in context
Philippians 2:16
as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
Read in context
Ephesians 4:14
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.
Read in context
Isaiah 49:4
But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength in futility and vanity; yet My vindication is with the LORD, and My reward is with My God.”
Read in context
2 Corinthians 7:5–7
For when we arrived in Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were pressed from every direction—conflicts on the outside, fears within.
Read in context