Theophylact of Ohrid, on 1Thess 3:5

“For this cause also, I, forbearing no longer, sent to know your faith: lest perhaps he that tempteth should have tempted you, and our labour should be made vain.”

“I, he says, did not suppose that you were shaken, except perhaps because you were subjected to temptations. Do you see that disturbance in afflictions is the work of the devil, and especially when some are scandalized as a result of others experiencing misfortune? So he acted with Job, troubling his wife by the fact that he was suffering. However, the devil tempts without knowing whether he will prevail, as is evident from the example of Job; yet, being shameless, he attacks, and if he sees any weakness, he remains and waits; but if he sees strength, he retreats.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.