1 Thessalonians 3:11 kjv
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
1 Thessalonians 3:11 nkjv
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.
1 Thessalonians 3:11 niv
Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.
1 Thessalonians 3:11 esv
Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you,
1 Thessalonians 3:11 nlt
May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon.
1 Thessalonians 3 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Thess. 2:17 | but when we were bereaved of you, brothers,... | Desire for fellowship |
| Rom. 1:11 | For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift... | Spiritual gift impartation |
| 2 Cor. 1:15 | And in this confidence I intended before to come to you... | Previous intent to visit |
| Phil. 4:1 | Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for,... | Affectionate longing |
| Col. 2:5 | For though I am absent in body, I am present in spirit... | Spiritual presence |
| Gal. 4:19 | my little children, for whom I am in anguish of childbirth again... | Parental concern |
| Phil. 2:12 | So, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed—not as in my presence only,... | Obedience in presence/absence |
| 1 John 4:7 | Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God... | Mutual love |
| 1 John 3:16 | By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us... | Sacrifice for love |
| John 14:16 | And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper... | The Holy Spirit as Helper |
| John 16:7 | Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away... | The benefit of Christ's departure |
| Acts 20:37 | And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. | Emotional farewell |
| Acts 20:38 | and they were sorrowing most of all by the word that he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. | Sorrow at parting |
| Ps. 133:1 | Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! | Unity of brethren |
| 1 Cor. 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,... | Appeal for unity |
| Eph. 4:12 | to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,... | Equipping for ministry |
| Col. 1:28 | Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. | Presenting mature in Christ |
| Heb. 12:2 | looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,... | Perfection of faith |
| James 2:17 | So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. | Faith and works |
| 1 John 1:9 | If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins... | Forgiveness of sins |
1 Thessalonians 3 verses
1 Thessalonians 3 11 Meaning
This verse expresses a fervent desire of the apostle Paul and his companions to see the Thessalonian believers face-to-face and to supply what was lacking in their faith. It highlights a deep longing for spiritual fellowship and for strengthening the church.
1 Thessalonians 3 11 Context
Chapter Context: Chapter 3 of 1 Thessalonians continues Paul's concern for the spiritual well-being of the church in Thessalonica. He recounts sending Timothy to them to strengthen and encourage them, and to report on their faith. Paul rejoices at Timothy's positive report. This verse (3:11) expresses Paul's deep personal longing and his prayerful desire to revisit them.
Historical/Cultural Context: Paul and his companions had been driven out of Thessalonica by persecution (Acts 17:5-9). This experience led to separation from the believers they had established. Their longing to return stemmed from genuine apostolic love and a pastoral responsibility to nurture and solidify the faith of the young church. The early church faced significant external pressures and internal challenges, making direct contact and encouragement vital.
1 Thessalonians 3 11 Word Analysis
- "Now may..."
- GREEK: Nyni de (νυνὶ δὲ).
- Meaning: "And now," signifying a present state or a transition to a present wish or prayer. This introduces a specific supplication or desire that arises in the present moment of writing.
- "our God and Father"
- GREEK: ho Theos kai Pater hemon (ὁ Θεὸς καὶ Πατὴρ ἡμῶν).
- Meaning: Acknowledges God as both the supreme deity and their Father, indicating a relational intimacy established through Christ. It emphasizes the unity of the Godhead (Father and Son) and the believers' inclusion as God's children.
- "and our Lord Jesus"
- GREEK: kai Kyrios Iēsous (καὶ Κύριος Ἰησοῦς).
- Meaning: Jesus is identified as "Lord" (Kyrios), a term often used for God in the Septuagint, underscoring his divine authority and sovereignty. The conjunction "and" links the Father and the Son in this desire, highlighting the Trinitarian nature of their salvation and Lordship.
- "direct our way"
- GREEK: kateuthynē ten hodon hemon (κατευθύνῃ τὴν ὁδὸν ἡμῶν).
- Meaning: Literally "to make straight our path" or "to guide our journey." This phrase reflects a petition for God's providential guidance and enabling power to fulfill their intended purpose of visiting Thessalonica. It implies not just physical direction but success in their ministry efforts there. The verb kateleuthynō can mean to make prosperous or successful.
- "to you"
- GREEK: pros hymas (πρὸς ὑμᾶς).
- Meaning: Towards you; indicates the specific destination and recipients of their ministry.
1 Thessalonians 3 11 Bonus Section
The concept of God "directing our way" is a common theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing God's active involvement in the lives of His people, from Abraham's journey (Gen. 12:1) to David's prayers (Ps. 5:8) and the early apostles' ministries (Acts 16:6-7, though God's intervention there was to prevent a certain path). The desire to "supply what is lacking" hints at the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in perfecting believers, a theme Paul develops in Philippians (Phil. 1:6). This desire is rooted in the genuine affection and pastoral care Paul and his team had for the Thessalonian church, a relationship characterized by "affection, deep care, and mutual dependence."
1 Thessalonians 3 11 Commentary
Paul, filled with love and concern, expresses a prayer for God's direct intervention in their travel plans. He desires not just a physical journey but a divinely guided and successful ministry among the Thessalonians. The wish to see them is fueled by a pastoral heart that seeks to strengthen their faith and supply what might be lacking. This verse underscores the importance of both divine sovereignty and human agency in carrying out God's will, as well as the profound spiritual connection shared between apostles and believers. It demonstrates that effective ministry requires not only human initiative but God's guiding hand.