Note 1 at 1 Th. 3:1: Paul waited as long as he could before he sent Timothy back to the Thessalonians, but what was so urgent that he felt it necessary to send someone to them at all? Paul explains in verse 2 that it was his concern for the condition of the Thessalonians' faith.

This illustrates an important truth. Coming to faith in Christ is not the end, it's just the beginning. Paul knew the Thessalonians needed to grow to become truly healthy spiritually, and he knew the growth needed to come quickly.

Just as a perfectly healthy baby won't stay healthy long without attention, so also, new believers need to have special attention. It is just as irresponsible to neglect young Christians as it is to give birth to an infant and then forsake it. Yet that is what happens to many when they first profess faith in Christ. There should be as much emphasis on follow up as there is on evangelism.

Note 2 at 1 Th. 3:1: This is no minor thing for Paul to send his associate, Timothy, back to Thessalonica and remain in Athens alone. It was in Athens that Paul had been put on trial and just barely escaped a death sentence (see note 1 at Acts 17:23, p. 677). Athens was a hostile place for the apostle Paul and yet he put the needs of the Thessalonians ahead of his own needs.