Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. (I Thessalonians 3)
Paul and his missionary band loved being and serving together. They also loved the congregations of people they helped bring to salvation, exhort with God's Word, and establish as churches. How could they demonstrate that love to them? By being willing to separate for a time so one of them could come check on them. It may not sound like a big deal, but Timothy, younger and stronger than Paul, was a very big help to him in ministry. Time and traveling expense was no small matter. The possibility of motives being misread in this kind of situation were real. But it was worth it to Paul and the rest of the team to risk all these things to make sure the Thessalonian beleivers were doing well; they cared that much. What does it look like - what must we be willing to give up - to show fellow believers we care? May we do it well.
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