“For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain” (1 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV).
While there are some who seem to be preoccupied with the Devil and the activities of the demonic realm, it is usually best to “…keep our eyes fixed on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) and complete the work He has called us to do. Nevertheless, we would do well to adopt the balanced mindset suggested by the following paraphrase of 2 Corinthians 2:11: “…we don’t want to be naïve and then fall prey to (Satan’s) schemes” (Voice).
For instance, consider a group of predatory animals stalking a herd of prey. In most instances, the predators quietly seek to approach a group of unsuspecting animals and wait for an opportunity to attack and devour the vulnerable. In a similar manner, The New Testament epistle of 1 Peter reminds us, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Another commentary makes a similar observation…
“Paul likely considered the Thessalonians to be especially vulnerable to temptation because they had converted to faith in Christ only recently. The NT frequently describes Satan’s attempts to take advantage of people who are either young in the faith or in a weakened state (e.g., 1 Cor 7:5; 1 Tim 3:6–7)” (1)
You see, one definition of the word “tempted” is “to try whether a thing can be done.” (2) Therefore, we can associate temptation with a solicitation to evil and the attempt to see if someone can be made to respond in an ungodly manner. One source expands on this idea by observing…
“Paul’s reference to the tempter is mindful of Satan’s activity in the Garden of Eden (Gen_3:1-24) and in the Judean wilderness (Mat_4:1-25). Paul saw Satan as using the persecution the Thessalonians were undergoing in order to lure them away from what they knew to be God’s will, namely, perseverance in the midst of trials. He was concerned that Satan might snatch away the seed Paul had sown before it had a chance to put down stabilizing, fructifying roots.” (3)
If the enemy had been successful in neutralizing the growth and development of the church in Thessalonica, then Paul’s efforts might have been in vain. That, in part, prompted him to assign Timothy with the task of stabilizing and edifying their faith.
(1) Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (1 Th 3:5). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
(2) G3985 peirazo Thayer’s Greek Lexicon https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?t=kjv&strongs=g3985
(3) John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, Bible Knowledge Commentary [1 Thessalonians 3:4]