Becoming established in faith is of essence for Christian growth. Thus, one of the central concerns of a minister is to help people to understand the gospel in such a way as to strengthen them. Paul regarded such strengthening to be at the heart of his own ministry (Romans 1:11; Romans 16:25), and this is what he desired from Timothy when sending him from Athens to Thessalonica. It is the gospel which strengthens because the gospel proclaims Christ as the agent of God’s saving power and draws people to an ever-deepening union with him. The Thessalonians were in particular need of strengthening since their trust and confidence in Christ were at risk of being undermined by the severe hostility and opposition which they were facing. Thus Timothy had to minister the gospel to strengthen the new believers.
2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,