1TH 3

1 Thessalonians 3:9

WEB

For what thanksgiving can we give again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God,

BSB

How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence?

KJV

For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

Matthew Henry

Verses 6–10

1 Thessalonians 3:6–10

Here we have Paul's great satisfaction upon the return of Timothy with good tidings from the Thessalonians, in which we may observe,

I. The good report Timothy made concerning them, Th1 3:6. Without question, he was a willing messenger of these good tidings. Concerning their faith, that is, concerning their stedfastness in the faith, that they were not shaken in mind, nor turned aside form the profession of the gospel. Their love also continued; their love to the gospel, and the ministers of the gospel. For they had a good and a kind remembrance of the apostles, and that constantly, or always. The names of the apostles were very dear to them, and the thoughts of them, and what they themselves had received from them, were very precious, insomuch that they desired greatly to see them again, and receive some spiritual gift from them; and there was no love lost, for the apostle was as desirous to see them. It is happy where there is such mutual love between minister and people. This tends to promote religion, and the success of the gospel. The world hates them, and therefore they should love one another.

II. The great comfort and satisfaction the apostle had in this good report concerning them (Th1 3:7, Th1 3:8): Therefore, brethren, we were comforted in all our affliction and distress. The apostle thought this good news of them was sufficient to balance all the troubles he met with. It was easy to him to bear affliction, or persecution, or fightings from without, when he found the good success of his ministry and the constancy of the converts he had made to Christianity; and his distress of mind on account of his fears within, lest he had laboured in vain, was now in a good measure over, when he understood their faith and the perseverance of it. This put new life and spirit into the apostle and made him vigorous and active in the work of the Lord. Thus he was not only comforted, but greatly rejoiced also: Now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord, Th1 3:8. It would have been a killing thing to the apostles if the professors of religion had been unsteady, or proved apostates; whereas nothing was more encouraging than their constancy.

III. The effects of this were thankfulness and prayer to God on their behalf. Observe, 1. How thankful the apostle was, Th1 3:9. He was full of joy, and full of praise and thanksgiving. When we are most cheerful we should be most thankful. What we rejoice in we should give thanks for. This is to rejoice before our God, to spiritualize our joy. Paul speaks as if he could not tell how to express his thankfulness to God, or his joy and rejoicing for their sakes. But he was careful God should not lose the glory of the comfort he received in the welfare of his friends. His heart was enlarged with love to them and with thanksgiving to God. He was willing to express the one and the other as well as he could. As to thankfulness to God, this especially is very imperfect in the present state; but, when we come to heaven, we shall do this work better than now we can. 2. He prayed for them night and day (Th1 3:10), evening and morning, or very frequently, in the midst of the business of the day or slumber of the night lifting up his heart to God in prayer. Thus we should pray always. And Paul's prayer was fervent prayer. He prayed exceedingly, and was earnest in his supplication. Note, When we are most thankful we should always give ourselves to prayer; and those we give thanks for have yet need to be prayed for. Those whom we most rejoice in, and who are our greatest comforts, must be our constant care, while in this world of temptation and imperfection. There was something still lacking in their faith; Paul desired that this might be perfected, and to see their face in order thereunto. Note, (1.) The best of men have something wanting in their faith, if not as to the matter of it, there being some mysteries or doctrines not sufficiently known or believed by them, yet as to the clearness and certainty of their faith, there being some remaining darkness and doubtings, or at least as to the effects and operations of it, these being not so conspicuous and perfect as they should be. And, (2.) The ministry of the word and ordinances is helpful, and to be desired and used for the perfecting of that which is lacking in our faith.

Cross-references: 1Thess 3:6 · 1Thess 3:7 · 1Thess 3:8 · 1Thess 3:9 · 1Thess 3:10

Greek interlinear

G5101

τίςtís/tis/

every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why

Derivation: probably emphatic of G5100;

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

KJV: every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.

See also: G5100.

G1063

γάρgár/gar/

and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet

Derivation: a primary particle;

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

KJV: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.

G2169

εὐχαριστίαeucharistía/yoo-khar-is-tee'-ah/

thankfulness, (giving of) thanks(-giving)

Derivation: from G2170;

gratitude; actively, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship)

KJV: thankfulness, (giving of) thanks(-giving).

See also: G2170.

G1410

δύναμαιdýnamai/doo'-nam-ahee/

be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power

Derivation: of uncertain affinity;

to be able or possible

KJV: be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.

G3588

ho/ho/

the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc

, including the feminine , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;

Derivation: the definite article;

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)

KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

G2316

θεόςtheós/theh'-os/

X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward)

Derivation: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity;

figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very

KJV: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).

See also: G3588.

G467

ἀνταποδίδωμιantapodídōmi/an-tap-od-ee'-do-mee/

recompense, render, repay

Derivation: from G473 and G591;

to requite (good or evil)

KJV: recompense, render, repay.

See also: G473, G591.

G4012

περίperí/per-ee'/

(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with

Derivation: from the base of G4008;

properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period)

KJV: (there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with.

In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).

See also: G4008.

G4771

σύ/soo/

thou

Derivation: the personal pronoun of the second person singular;

thou

KJV: thou.

See also G4571, G4671, G4675; and for the plural G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.

See also: G4675, G4571, G4671, G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.

G1909

ἐπίepí/ep-ee'/

about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with

Derivation: a primary preposition;

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.

KJV: about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with.

In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).

G3956

πᾶςpâs/pas/

all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever

Derivation: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word;

all, any, every, the whole

KJV: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.

G5479

χαράchará/khar-ah'/

gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy(-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous)

Derivation: from G5463;

cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight

KJV: gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy(-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).

See also: G5463.

G3739

ὅςhós/hos/

one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc

, including feminine , and neuter

Derivation: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588);

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

KJV: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.

See also G3757.

See also: G3588, G3757.

G5463

χαίρωchaírō/khah'-ee-ro/

farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hall, joy(- fully), rejoice

Derivation: a primary verb;

to be "cheer"ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well

KJV: farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hall, joy(- fully), rejoice.

G1223

διάdiá/dee-ah'/

after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in)

Derivation: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act;

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

KJV: after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in).

In composition it retains the same general importance.

G1715

ἔμπροσθενémprosthen/em'-pros-then/

against, at, before, (in presence, sight) of

Derivation: from G1722 and G4314;

in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)

KJV: against, at, before, (in presence, sight) of.

See also: G1722, G4314.

G1473

ἐγώegṓ/eg-o'/

I, me

Derivation: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic)

KJV: I, me.

For the other cases and the plural see G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257, etc.

See also: G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257.

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