1 Thessalonians 3:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,

NIV: How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?

NASB: For what thanks can we give to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice because of you before our God,

CSB: How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you,

NLT: How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s 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;

NKJV: For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,

Instead of taking credit for the Thessalonians' spiritual progress, Paul gave thanks to God. The Lord deserved all the credit for what was taking place in the Thessalonians' lives. He strengthened them to overcome their afflictions and persecution. God was at work in their lives to perfect His will in them, just as He worked in the Philippian believers to "will and to work for his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).

No Christian can rightfully take credit for the spiritual progress he sees in another Christian. We may faithfully disciple another believer, but God deserves all the credit for what transpires in an individual's heart and life. In 1 Corinthians 3:5–6 Paul wrote, "What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." Further, the spiritual qualities listed in Galatians 5:22–23 are not credited to any Christian worker, but to God. The qualities are called "the fruit of the Spirit."

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.

Accessed 7/2/2024 11:25:52 AM