1 Thessalonians 3:6-10
6. Join "now" with "come"; "But Timotheus having just now come from you unto us" [Alford]. Thus it appears (compare Ac 18:5) Paul is writing from Corinth. your faith and charity--(1Th 1:3; compare 2Th 1:3, whence it seems their faith subsequently increased still more). Faith was the solid foundation: charity the cement which held together the superstructure of their practice on that foundation. In that charity was included their "good (kindly) remembrance" of their teachers. desiring greatly--Greek, "having a yearning desire for." we also--The desires of loving friends for one another's presence are reciprocal. 7. over you--in respect to you. in--in the midst of: notwithstanding "all our distress (Greek, 'necessity') and affliction," namely, external trials at Corinth, whence Paul writes (compare 1Th 3:6, with Ac 18:5-10). 8. now--as the case is; seeing ye stand fast. we live--we flourish. It revives us in our affliction to hear of your steadfastness (Psa 22:26; 2Jo 3:4). if--implying that the vivid joy which the missionaries "now" feel, will continue if the Thessalonians continue steadfast. They still needed exhortation, 1Th 3:10; therefore he subjoins the conditional clause, "if ye," &c. (Php 4:1). 9. For what thanks--what sufficient thanks? render ... again--in return for His goodness (Psa 116:12). for you--"concerning you." for all the joy--on account of all the joy. It was "comfort," 1Th 3:7, now it is more, namely, joy. for your sakes--on your account. before our God--It is a joy which will bear God's searching eye: a joy as in the presence of God, not self-seeking, but disinterested, sincere, and spiritual (compare 1Th 2:20; Joh 15:11). 10. Night and day--(See on 1Th 2:9). Night is the season for the saint's holiest meditations and prayers (2Ti 1:3). praying--connected with, "we joy"; we joy while we pray; or else as Alford, What thanks can we render to God while we pray? The Greek implies a beseeching request. exceedingly--literally, "more than exceeding abundantly" (compare Ep 3:20). that which is lacking--Even the Thessalonians had points in which they needed improvement [Bengel], (Lu 17:5). Their doctrinal views as to the nearness of Christ's coming, and as to the state of those who had fallen asleep, and their practice in some points, needed correction (1Th 4:1-9). Paul's method was to begin by commending what was praiseworthy, and then to correct what was amiss; a good pattern to all admonishers of others.
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