"WHEREFORE, when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone, and sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith; but now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith." Thess. 3: 1-7.
The history relates that when Paul came out of Macedonia to Athens, Silas and Timothy stayed behind at Berea: "The brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea; but Silas and Timotheus abode there still; and they that conducted Paul brought him to Athens." Acts 17: 14, 15. The history further relates that after Paul had tarried some time at Athens, and had proceeded from thence to Corinth, whilst he was exercising his ministry in that city, Silas and Timothy came to him from Macedonia. Acts 18: 5. But to reconcile the history with the clause in the epistle, which makes St. Paul say, "I thought it good to be left at Athens alone, and to send Timothy unto you," it is necessary to suppose that Timothy had come up with St. Paul at Athens, a circumstance which the history does not mention. I remark, therefore, that, although the history does not expressly notice this arrival, yet it contains intimations which render it extremely probable that the fact took place. First, as soon as Paul had reached Athens, he sent a message back to Silas and Timothy "for to come to him with all speed." Acts 17: 15. Secondly, his stay at Athens was on purpose that they might join him there. "Now whilst Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him." Acts 17: 16. Thirdly, his departure from Athens does not appear to have been in any sort hastened or abrupt. It is said, "after these things," viz., his disputations with the Jews, his conferences with the philosophers, his discourse at the Areopagus, and the gaining of some converts, "he departed from Athens and came to Corinth." It is not hinted that he quitted Athens before the time that he had intended to leave it; it is not suggested that he was driven from thence, as he was from many cities, by tumults or persecutions, or because his life was no longer safe. Observe, then, the particulars which the history does notice: That Paul had ordered Timothy to follow him without delay; that he waited at Athens on purpose that Timothy might come up with him; that he stayed there as long as his own choice led him to continue. Laying these circumstances which the history does disclose together, it is highly probable that Timothy came to the apostle at Athens, a fact which the epistle, we have seen, virtually asserts, when it makes Paul send Timothy back from Athens to Thessalonica. The sending back of Timothy into Macedonia accounts also for his not coming to Corinth till after Paul had been fixed in that city some considerable time. Paul had found out Aquila and Priscilla, abode with them and wrought, being of the same craft, and reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath-day, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. Acts 18: 1-5. All this passed at Corinth, before Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia. Acts 18: 5. If this was the first time of their coming up with him after their separation at Berea, there is nothing to account for a delay so contrary to what appears from the history itself to have been St. Paul's plan and expectation. This is a conformity of a peculiar species. The epistle discloses a fact which is not preserved in the history, but which makes what is said in the history more significant, probable, and consistent. The history bears marks of an omission; the epistle by reference furnishes a circumstance which supplies that omission. - Paley's "Horae Paulinae."