Timothy's Encouraging Report and Paul's Prayer for Strength and Love
1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
1Thess.3.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αρτι: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- ελθοντος: PART,aor,act,gen,sg,m
- Τιμοθεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- αφ᾽υμων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- ευαγγελισαμενου: VERB,aor,mid,part,gen,m,sg
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αγαπην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- οτι: CONJ
- εχετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- μνειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- αγαθην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- παντοτε: ADV
- επιποθουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,m,pl
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- ιδειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- καθαπερ: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
Parallels
- Colossians 1:4-8 (verbal): Paul reports hearing from a fellow worker about the recipients' 'faith' and 'love' through a messenger (Epaphras), closely mirroring Timothy's report of Thessalonian faith and love.
- 2 Corinthians 7:6-7 (structural): Like Timothy's visit in 1 Thessalonians 3:6, Titus's arrival brought encouraging news that refreshed Paul and confirmed the converts' repentance and affection—similar narrative function of a courier bringing reassuring reports.
- Philippians 1:7-8 (thematic): Paul expresses deep affection, fellowship, and longing to see the believers—paralleling 1 Thess 3:6's emphasis on remembrance, love, and desire to visit them.
- Philemon 1:4-7 (verbal): Paul speaks of remembering the recipient in his prayers and is encouraged/refreshened by reports of love and faith—echoing the motifs of remembrance and spiritual encouragement in 1 Thess 3:6.
- Romans 1:8 (verbal): Paul notes that the faith of the Roman believers is being proclaimed and that he gives thanks for it—paralleling the report-driven affirmation of the Thessalonians' faith found in Timothy's news.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we also long to see you.
- But now that Timothy has come to us from you and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always remember us kindly, longing to see us as we also long to see you.
1Thess.3.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- δια: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- παρεκληθημεν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,1,pl
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εφ᾽υμιν: PREP+PRON,dat,pl,2
- επι: PREP
- παση: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- αναγκη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- θλιψει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- δια: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (thematic): Paul speaks of God as the 'Father of mercies and God of all comfort' and describes being comforted in affliction so that believers can comfort others—parallels the theme of consolation amid suffering in 1 Thess 3:7.
- Romans 1:12 (verbal): Paul says he hopes 'to be encouraged together with you by your mutual faith'—language and idea closely parallel 1 Thess 3:7's 'we were comforted… through your faith.'
- Philippians 2:1 (verbal): Uses the same root of encouragement/comfort (paraklēsis/parakaleō). The appeal to consolation in Christ echoes the verb and theological purpose of being 'comforted' in 1 Thess 3:7.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:6 (structural): Immediate context: Timothy's report of the Thessalonians' faith and love leads directly to the statement in 3:7 that Paul and companions were comforted—an internal cross-reference explaining the source of their consolation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith.
- For this reason, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction by your faith.
1Thess.3.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- νυν: ADV
- ζωμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- εαν: CONJ
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- στηκετε: VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Philippians 4:1 (verbal): Paul again exhorts believers to 'stand firm in the Lord' and calls them his 'joy and crown,' echoing the language and conditional sense of life tied to their steadfastness.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 (thematic): Exhortation to be 'steadfast, immovable' in the Lord’s work parallels the call to perseverance that gives Paul confidence and life.
- Hebrews 3:14 (thematic): The conditional idea—sharing in Christ 'if' we hold fast to the end—parallels the 'we live if you stand fast' structure of dependence on perseverance.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 (structural): Within the same letter Paul links his hope, joy, and 'glory' to the Thessalonians' faithfulness, providing the immediate contextual basis for 3:8's conditional claim.
- Ephesians 6:13-14 (thematic): The imagery of 'standing firm' (putting on the armor and standing) parallels the Christian imperative to hold one's ground in the Lord that undergirds Paul's life-claim.
Alternative generated candidates
- For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
- For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
1Thess.3.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- ευχαριστιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- δυναμεθα: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,pl
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ανταποδουναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- περι: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- επι: PREP
- παση: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- χαρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- χαιρομεν: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,pl
- δι᾽υμας: PREP+PRON,acc,pl,2
- εμπροσθεν: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
Parallels
- Philippians 1:3 (verbal): Paul’s standard thanksgiving formula (“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you”) parallels 1 Thess 3:9’s expression of gratitude to God for the believers.
- Philippians 1:4 (thematic): Paul prays “always with joy” for the Philippians, echoing the theme of rejoicing before God for the recipients found in 1 Thess 3:9.
- Colossians 1:3 (verbal): “We give thanks to God... praying for you” closely matches 1 Thess 3:9’s combination of thanksgiving to God and concern/prayer for the church.
- Romans 1:8 (verbal): “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all” mirrors the motive and wording of thanking God for the believers in 1 Thess 3:9.
- 1 Corinthians 1:4 (verbal): “I give thanks to my God always for you” is a direct parallel in language and sentiment—constant gratitude to God on behalf of a congregation.
Alternative generated candidates
- For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice on your behalf before our God,
- For what thanksgiving can we render to God again for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your behalf?
1Thess.3.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- νυκτος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- υπερεκπερισσου: ADV
- δεομενοι: VERB,pres,mp,part,nom,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ιδειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- προσωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- καταρτισαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- υστερηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- Romans 1:11-12 (verbal): Paul expresses a strong desire to see the Roman believers so he might impart a spiritual gift and strengthen them—paralleling 1 Thess 3:10’s longing to see their face and supply what is lacking in their faith.
- Colossians 1:9-11 (thematic): Paul (and co-workers) report unceasing prayer that the recipients be filled with knowledge and strengthened—echoing the Thessalonian plea to pray continually to supply and complete their faith.
- Acts 20:31 (verbal): Paul’s ministry description includes working 'night and day' in warnings and tears; the shared 'night and day' language links the intensity and constancy of prayer/labor with the Thessalonian context.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 (structural): Within the same letter Paul laments his forced separation and repeatedly expresses his intense desire to visit and see the Thessalonians—providing an immediate contextual parallel to 3:10’s longing to see their face and care for their faith.
Alternative generated candidates
- night and day we earnestly pray that we may see your face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
- Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see your face and complete what is lacking in your faith.
1Thess.3.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- πατηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- κατευθυναι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- οδον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- προς: PREP
- υμας·: PRON,acc,pl,2
Parallels
- 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (verbal): Uses the same verb κατευθύναι/κατευθύνειν (to direct/guide) in a prayer that the Lord would direct believers' hearts—closest verbal parallel in Pauline corpus.
- Luke 1:79 (thematic): Zechariah’s prayer that God will 'guide our feet into the way of peace'—same motif of God directing believers' path.
- Psalm 25:4-5 (thematic): Petition for God to make his ways known and to lead/guide in his paths—OT background for New Testament requests that God direct the way.
- Romans 1:10 (structural): Paul’s recurring prayer that, if it be God’s will, he may come to the Roman believers—structurally similar petition for God’s will/direction regarding a visit.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, make a way for us to come to you.
- Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.
1Thess.3.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- πλεονασαι: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- περισσευσαι: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- αγαπη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- καθαπερ: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- εις: PREP
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
Parallels
- 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 (verbal): Explicit command/about 'love of the brothers' and instruction concerning how the Thessalonians should continue to love one another — closely parallels the focus on abounding love for one another.
- Philippians 1:9 (verbal): Paul's prayer that their love may 'abound more and more' — a near parallel in form and intent (a prayer for increasing love).
- 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (thematic): Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' increasing faith and abounding love for one another — echoes the theme of growth/abundance of love.
- Romans 12:10 (thematic): Exhortation to brotherly love and mutual honor — shares the ethical demand to love one another within the Christian community.
- Galatians 5:6 (thematic): Emphasis on faith 'working through love' — connects to Paul’s concern that Christian life be marked by active, increasing love toward others.
Alternative generated candidates
- And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, even as we do for you;
- And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, even as we also do for you.
1Thess.3.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- στηριξαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- καρδιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αμεμπτους: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- αγιωσυνη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εμπροσθεν: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- πατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- παρουσια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μετα: PREP
- παντων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αγιων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (verbal): Prays for believers to be preserved/blameless at the coming of the Lord and invokes sanctification—language and eschatological timing closely parallel (blameless/at Christ's coming).
- Colossians 1:22 (verbal): Speaks of God presenting believers holy, unblameable, and unreproveable before him—similar vocabulary and the idea of being presented before God in holiness.
- 2 Peter 3:14 (verbal): Urges believers to be found by Christ ‘without spot and blameless,’ echoing the goal of being established blameless at the Lord’s coming (shared eschatological holiness language).
- Jude 24-25 (verbal): Doxology that commends God who is able to present believers ‘faultless before his glory’—parallels the theme of being presented blameless/holy before God at Christ’s presence.
- Titus 2:14 (thematic): Describes Christ purifying a people for himself, zealous for good works—thematic link to holiness, sanctification, and being constituted blameless before God.
Alternative generated candidates
- so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before God our Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
- So that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
But Timothy has just come to us from you and has brought us the good news of your faith and love, and that you always remember us, longingly wishing to see us as we long to see you—
for this reason, brothers, we were encouraged about you in the presence of our God, because of your faith;
for now we live if you stand firm in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God because of you?
Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see your face and supply what is lacking in your faith.
May our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you;
and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, even as we also do toward you;
so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Amen.