10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, how unceasing is my remembrance of thee in my supplications, night and day
For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting.
making request, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; that is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.
Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for in faith ye stand fast.
Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you:
and the four living creatures, having each one of them six wings, are full of eyes round about and within: and they have no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, `is' the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.
But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.
and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day.
But we, brethren, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence not in heart, endeavored the more exceedingly to see your face with great desire: because we would fain have come unto you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us.
whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ;
And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith;
And in this confidence I was minded to come first unto you, that ye might have a second benefit;
Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; that I may be delivered from them that are disobedient in Judaea, and `that' my ministration which `I have' for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints; that I may come unto you in joy through the will of God, and together with you find rest.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 3
Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 3 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 3
In this chapter the apostle gives further evidence of his love to the Thessalonians, reminding them of his sending Timothy to them, with the mention of his design therein and his inducements so to do (v. 1-5). He acquaints them also with his great satisfaction at the return of Timothy, with good tidings concerning them (v. 6-10). And concludes with fervent prayer for them (v. 11-13).
1Th 3:1-5
In these words the apostle gives an account of his sending Timothy to the Thessalonians. Though he was hindered from going to them himself, yet his love was such that he could not forbear sending Timothy to them. Though Timothy was very useful to him, and he could not well spare him, yet Paul was content, for their good, to be left alone at Athens. Note, Those ministers do not duly value the establishment and welfare of their people who cannot deny themselves in many things for that end. Observe,
1Th 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,
1Th 3:11-13
In these words we have the earnest prayer of the apostle. He desired to be instrumental in the further benefit of the Thessalonians; and the only way to be so while at a distance was by prayer for them, together with his writing or sending to them. He desired that their faith might be perfected, which he could not be the proper cause or author of; for he pretended not to dominion over their faith, nor to have the donation of it, and he therefore concludes with prayer for them. Observe,