“Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; and sent Timothy, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the Gospel of Christ, to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith” (I Thessalonians 3:1-2).

Forbear (Def): (Gr.): Stego from Stege: To cover over as a roof with silence, endure patiently, suffer

Patience is a virtue and love “bears (stego) all things” (I Corinthians 13:7); but as the Apostle experienced in Athens there came the moment when “we could no longer forbear”, we could no longer endure in silence, we could no longer suffer the situation. The moment came when forbearance ran out.

The Apostle Paul and his partners in ministry, Silas and Timothy waited patiently for the opportunity to return to Thessalonica to visit the churches there, “but Satan hindered us” (I Thessalonians 2:18b). How Satan hindered them is unknown, but hinder he did, during which time the Apostle and his team waited in silence and endured patiently the delays until forbearance ran out and they sent Timothy to the churches to see how they were faring amid the persecutions that they were presently enduring.

Timothy was sent to encourage the saints in Thessalonica in their faith:

“That no man should be moved by these afflictions, for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto” (I Thessalonians 3:3).

The Apostle had forewarned them concerning the persecutions to come:

“For verily when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation, even as it came to pass, and you know” (I Thessalonians 3:4).

It was for this concern, the steadfast faith of the saints during times of sufferings, that compelled the Apostle into action.

“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 labor be in vain” (I Thessalonians 3:5).

The situation was resolved with the return of Timothy to Athens to report the good news that the faith of the saints in Thessalonica was strong, along with their love for the Apostle and the ministry, “desiring greatly to see them, just as the Apostle was to see them” (I Thessalonians 3:6b).

Brethren, how is it with your concerns? Are you waiting in patient silence for some sign of movement in that to which you have an earnest desire? Are things at a standstill and your forbearance about to run out? If so, prayerfully act in the Spirit of the Lord, and by His wisdom and direction, send forth His word and message to those under your care to inquire and seek the answer to your particular situation, as the Apostle did in our Scripture text above. There is a proper time to take action when you can “no longer forbear”, i.e., when forbearance runs out.

When Forbearance Runs Out act in the Spirit of God; then give God the glory for all He is doing in the lives of those who He has entrusted to your care. It is a joy to serve the Lord and to be a faithful minister of Christ. Whether pastor, parent, teacher, caregiver, mentor, counselor or guardian, serve the Lord with joy in all He has given you to do.

“For what thanks can we render to God again for you for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God” (I Thessalonians 3:9).

In the end if you find your patient endurance and silent waiting more than you can endure, when your forbearance runs out, send by the Spirit of the Lord your faith to the recipient of your love and let God cover you as a roof and see what great things the Lord can do.

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