What is Paul worried about in 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5? In this passage, Paul explains that he sent Timothy to strengthen the church in Thessalonica and encourage them concerning their faith. Paul had warned them that they would be facing tribulations brought on by Satan. So, Paul explains, “I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.”
Paul was worried that the church would fall from grace. So much so that he sent Timothy out of desperation (v. 5). But, there are many denominations today that teach it is impossible for a Christian to leave the faith. Some call this “the impossibility of apostasy.” But, if that were true, why would Paul be so bothered?
Some will defend this doctrine by saying that those who are described as falling from grace were never truly saved. However, the church in Thessalonica was undoubtedly a congregation of true Christians according to the faith. In chapter 1, verses 2-3, Paul says of them, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father…” And in chapter 2, verse 13, he further testifies of their faith, saying, “…when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” The church had works of faith, labors of love, hope in Jesus, and truly received the word of God yet, Paul was worried his labor may have been in vain.
The truth is that “the impossibility of apostasy” is not possible. The Bible clearly teaches that any Christian can choose to leave the faith. When that happens, his soul is in danger of hellfire. When Paul said that no created thing “…shall be able to separate us from the love God…” He spoke of external factors (Rom. 8:38-39). But, he said nothing in that passage about choosing to walk away.
In his letters he describes several Christians who left the faith. In 1 Timothy 1:19-20, Paul talks about how Hymenaeus and Alexander’s faith “suffered shipwreck.” And to the Judaizing teachers, he said, “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4).
The possibility of apostasy is a sobering thought. But we can have the same confidence of salvation Paul had if we run our race like he did. He says, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:26-27).