1 Thessalonians 3 10

1 Thessalonians 3:10 kjv

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

1 Thessalonians 3:10 nkjv

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

1 Thessalonians 3:10 niv

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

1 Thessalonians 3:10 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?

1 Thessalonians 3:10 nlt

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

1 Thessalonians 3 verses

1 Thessalonians 3 10 Meaning

This verse expresses Paul's intense desire and prayerful longing to see the Thessalonian believers face-to-face. He wants to supply what is lacking in their faith, specifically regarding the completeness and maturity of their belief in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 3 10 Context

Chapter 3 of 1 Thessalonians finds Paul reflecting on his ministry to the Thessalonians. After being forced to leave the city due to persecution, Paul sent Timothy to check on them. Timothy returned with good news of their faith and love, which greatly encouraged Paul. This verse, 3:10, is a direct expression of Paul's overwhelming joy and his strong desire to return and personally minister to them, addressing any remaining deficiencies in their faith. The context is one of pastoral care and concern for the spiritual well-being and maturity of a beloved church.

1 Thessalonians 3 10 Word Analysis

• εὐχόμενοι (euchomenoi): Present participle of εὔχομαι (euchomai).

  • Meaning: praying, wishing, desiring greatly.
  • Significance: Indicates an ongoing, earnest, and fervent prayer, not just a casual thought. It emphasizes a deep spiritual yearning.

• δι’ ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτός (di’ hēmeras kai nyktos): "through day and night".

  • Meaning: Constantly, without ceasing.
  • Significance: Underscores the intensity and persistence of Paul's prayer. His prayer life for them was a continuous, ever-present aspect of his life.

• ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ (hyperekperissou): Adverb meaning "exceedingly abundantly," "very exceedingly."

  • Meaning: More than enough, exceeding abundantly.
  • Significance: Intensifies the desire expressed. It's not just a desire, but an overwhelming, immeasurable longing.

• εἶναι (einai): Infinitive of εἰμί (eimi), "to be".

  • Meaning: To be.
  • Significance: The infinitive is used after the verb of desire, indicating the object of the desire: "to be" able to see them.

• τὴν ὑμῶν (tēn hymōn): Definite article "the" and pronoun "your".

  • Meaning: your.
  • Significance: Specifically identifies what is being lacked – something belonging to or pertaining to them.

• πίστιν (pistin): Accusative singular of πίστις (pistis).

  • Meaning: faith.
  • Significance: The core of spiritual life and maturity. Paul desires to see their faith perfected.

• ἐνώπιον (enōpion): Preposition meaning "before," "in the presence of".

  • Meaning: before.
  • Significance: Implies accountability and visibility before God and, by extension, before Paul as an apostle.

• τοῦ Θεοῦ (tou Theou): Genitive singular of Θεός (Theos).

  • Meaning: God.
  • Significance: Places their faith within the context of divine recognition. Their faith is to be complete in God's sight.

• τῶν λοιπῶν (tōn loipōn): Genitive plural of λοιπός (loipos), meaning "the remaining," "the rest."

  • Meaning: the rest.
  • Significance: Refers to that which is lacking or unfinished in their faith. It implies completeness is the goal.

• Phrases/Words-Group Analysis:

  • "that we may pray especially to see your face" (εὐχόμενοι... εἶναι τὴν ὑμῶν πίστιν): This signifies Paul’s ardent prayerful desire for a face-to-face encounter, not for superficial reasons, but to minister to their faith.
  • "to supply what is lacking in your faith" (τὰ ὑστερήματα τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν): This crucial phrase highlights Paul's pastoral objective. He perceives an area or aspects of their faith that need strengthening or completion. It implies faith is dynamic and can grow, and sometimes needs specific nourishment or correction. This isn't a condemnation, but a statement of purpose for his longed-for visit.

1 Thessalonians 3 10 Bonus Section

The concept of faith needing to be "supplied" or made "complete" echoes themes of spiritual growth found throughout Scripture. Just as an infant needs nourishment to grow into an adult, believers need to mature in their faith. Paul's approach here is highly relational and practical – the best way to supply what's lacking is often through personal interaction, encouragement, and direct teaching. His yearning reflects the value placed on fellowship and the direct impartation of spiritual gifts and understanding within the early church, as encouraged by the Holy Spirit and documented in Acts. This verse underscores that while salvation is by faith alone, the outworking and maturation of that faith are ongoing processes guided by God and His servants.

1 Thessalonians 3 10 Commentary

Paul's profound love for the Thessalonians drives his prayer life. He doesn't just want to hear about them; he earnestly desires to be with them. This is not a casual wish, but an intense, constant prayer – "through day and night." His motive is not personal gratification but the spiritual welfare of the believers. He perceives that despite their strong faith and love, there are still "what is lacking in their faith." This points to a need for deeper understanding, stronger conviction, or fuller manifestation of their faith in practice. Paul longs to personally address these needs, ensuring their faith is complete and steadfast in God’s sight. His aim is to "supply" this deficiency, bringing them to full maturity in Christ. This reflects the ultimate goal of apostolic ministry: to perfect the saints and build up the body of Christ.