1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

9: For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account,
10: as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

11: Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you;
12: and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;
13: so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

*** 

Paul continued his thoughts on his response to the word Timothy brought back about how the Thessalonians were doing since their abrupt departure and the persecution the Thessalonians experienced. Timothy had brought back word of their faith and love which encouraged Paul. He wondered how they could express thanks to God for the joy they’d experienced because of them.

Night and day they had been praying earnestly so they might go see them and “complete what was lacking” in their faith. There were things the Thessalonians needed for further instruction and exhortation, which is addressed in more detail in chapters 4 and 5. So, Paul prayed that God the Father Himself and the Lord Jesus would direct their way to the Thessalonians. Paul’s desire had been to come visit, but he had been hindered by Satan, as we read in 1 Thessalonians 2:18. Yet if our God and Lord Himself directs the way, nothing will hinder it.

He also prayed for the Lord to cause them to increase and abound in love for each other and for all people, as Paul & Co. had for them. Throughout Paul’s epistles we read of his rejoicing over the love of the saints as well as their faith. He commented here on who this love was to be directed toward--love for each other, as well as “all people,” which would include those who were unbelievers. As we mature in the Lord, we learn that the love of God which flows out from us is not something that is to be limited or conditional. It’s a fruit that grows in us, not something we do in response to only certain people or certain situations.

He prayed for their love to increase and abound so that the Lord would establish their hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father when the Lord comes with all His saints. Love is the key to our hearts being established in holiness, without blame at His coming. When He comes, that’s the condition we want Him to find us in. We also get a glimpse here of what will be addressed further on in this letter, that when the Lord comes, He will bring “all His saints” with Him.


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