Paul reflects “the kindness and sternness” of God as he moves from denouncing the Jews and defending himself against their slanders (2:1–16) to revealing his concern for the Thessalonians. He opens his heart, telling them how much they (the missionaries)—and none more than himself—long to see them. But he had been prevented thus far from returning (2:17–20). Therefore, to set their mind at rest and to “strengthen and encourage” them in what he knew to be difficult and dangerous times, he sent Timothy from Athens (3:1–5). In a sense, in Timothy Paul was himself present (he was “torn away … in person, not in thought,” v. 17), and through Timothy, Paul again exercised his apostolic ministry to them. The notion of Paul’s coming through his emissary leads R. W. Funk to describe this section as…