1 Thessalonians 3:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

NIV: Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

NASB: as we keep praying most earnestly night and day that we may see your faces, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

CSB: as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?

NLT: Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.

KJV: Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

NKJV: night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

Paul tells the Thessalonians that he prays with all his strength both during the day and at night that God would enable him to see them again. This is something Paul had wanted to do earlier, but was prevented (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Such a face-to-face visit would give him the opportunity to increase their faith. They were young Christians who still needed to grow spiritually and to increase their knowledge of spiritual truth. They had not reached spiritual maturity, but they had made a good start towards that goal. They were like babies that needed to grow up.

As Peter exhorted his readers, the Thessalonians needed to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). In chapters 4 and 5 Paul would provide important information and instruction that would help the Thessalonian Christians grow up in the faith and become more like Christ. Paul's anticipated ministry at Thessalonica would "equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ," and advance them toward "mature manhood" and "to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12–13).

First Thessalonians 3:6–10 expresses Paul's thanks for Timothy's good news regarding the Thessalonian believers. They showed faith and love and remembered Paul kindly. Also, they wanted to see him again, just as he wanted to see them. This good report cheered Paul in the midst of his trials. The fact that the believers were standing firm in the Lord gave Paul a new lease on life. He felt that he could not thank God enough for all the joy news of the Thessalonians' resolute faith and love had brought him. He was praying consistently both night and day that God would enable him to see the Thessalonians again. He was sure his visit would make it possible for him to nurture their young faith.

In chapter 3, Paul completes his discussion of the current state of the church in Thessalonica. After sending Timothy, Paul has received confirmation that the believers there are standing firm in their faith. Their devotion to the gospel is surviving, despite the persecutions which Paul predicted would arise. Paul once again thanks the Thessalonians for their faithfulness and prays for their continual growth.

Chapter 3 concludes Paul's comments about the condition of the Thessalonian church. These began in chapter 1 and were given more details in chapters 2 and 3. Here, Paul expresses his joy that the Thessalonians are enduring persecution faithfully, and he prays that they will continue to grow. In the following chapters, Paul will address some of the concerns plaguing the Thessalonians, including worries about the end times.

The apostle Paul's second missionary journey included a visit to the prominent Greek city of Thessalonica. This stood alongside a major land route and boasted a busy seaport. A number of individuals believed Paul's message (Acts 17:1–4), but an angry mob forced Paul to leave the city after his brief stay. Later, while in Athens, Paul received a glowing report: the believers at Thessalonica were growing spiritually and serving God fervently. However, they had questions about the Lord's return, including what happens to a believer who dies before that day. And, as all churches do, they had some areas in which they were falling short. In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, written about AD 51, he addresses these developments. Paul expresses gratitude for the Thessalonian believers' spiritual progress, and frequently makes references to Christ's impending return.