Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.
In these words the apostle gives an account of his sending Timothy to the Thessalonians. Though he was hindered from going to them himself, yet his love was such that he could not forbear sending Timothy to them. Though Timothy was very useful to him, and he could not well spare him, yet Paul was content, for their good, to be left alone at Athens.
Commenting on 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
For, verily, when we were with you,.... In presence, in person, as they then were in heart and affection; when they were first among them, and preached the Gospel to them: we told you before; before it came to pass; that we should suffer tribulation: which they might say by virtue of Christ's prediction to all his disciples, that they should have tribulation in the...
Verse 4. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before, etc. It is not mentioned in the history that Paul thus predicted that peculiar trials would come upon them, but there is no improbability in what is here said.