Neville Goddard on 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read 1 Thessalonians 3 in context

Scripture Focus

1Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

2And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

3That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

4For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

5For 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.

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

7Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

8For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

9For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

10Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

11Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

12And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

13To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Biblical Context

Paul sends Timothy to strengthen their faith during afflictions and reminds them that God is directing their path. Their steadfastness in faith and love brings Paul comfort, proving they stand fast in the Lord.

Neville's Inner Vision

Imagine this scene as a portrait of your own inner state. The Thessalonians are your faith under trial; the afflictions are inner tests that would tempt you to doubt. Timothy is your higher idea, the minister of God within, sent to establish your faith and comfort your heart. When you hear that your faith endures and that love abounds, your inner mind brightens with good tidings, and you remember that you have not been abandoned. Paul says, 'we live if you stand fast in the Lord'—and you realize the statement is true of your consciousness: your stability in God is the very condition of your life. God the Father within directs your way, guiding your desire toward those you love and toward all expression of love. Your aim is to establish a holy, unblameable heart; the coming of the Lord is the moment your inner state is seen as complete. In this light, tribulation becomes a refining fire, not a punishment, and your labor—your thoughts and prayers—returns to you as confidence and peace.

Practice This Now

Act: Sit quietly, breathe, and assume you are already established in faith and love; repeat, 'I stand fast in the Lord' until the inner mood is felt-as-real.