1 Thessalonians 3 12

1 Thessalonians 3:12 kjv

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

1 Thessalonians 3:12 nkjv

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,

1 Thessalonians 3:12 niv

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 esv

and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,

1 Thessalonians 3:12 nlt

And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.

1 Thessalonians 3 verses

1 Thessalonians 3 12 Meaning

This verse is a heartfelt prayer by the Apostle Paul for the believers in Thessalonica. He entreats the Lord to cause them to not merely grow, but to significantly multiply and overflow in selfless, divine love (agapē). This expansive love is desired to flourish both within their own community of believers ("one toward another") and outwardly to all people without distinction ("toward all men"). This growth in love is set against the standard of the overflowing love that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy have already demonstrated towards the Thessalonians. The prayer underscores the divine origin and empowerment necessary for such spiritual increase and the universal scope of true Christian affection.

1 Thessalonians 3 12 Context

First Thessalonians chapter 3 captures Paul’s profound concern for the new believers in Thessalonica who were undergoing intense persecution shortly after their conversion. After his hurried departure from their city, Paul was deeply anxious about their spiritual standing (vv. 1-5). To alleviate his worry and strengthen their faith, he sent Timothy to check on them. Timothy's return brought great joy to Paul, reporting the Thessalonians' enduring faith and love (vv. 6-8). This good news fills Paul with overwhelming thanksgiving to God (v. 9) and intensifies his desire to see them again to further instruct them (v. 10-11). Verse 12 is the heart of Paul's prayer for them, flowing directly from this joy and desire to build them up. It transitions into verse 13, where the increase in love is linked directly to God establishing their hearts in blameless holiness in anticipation of the Lord’s coming, demonstrating that abounding love is not an end in itself but a means to sanctification and readiness for Christ's return. The historical context shows a fledgling church, isolated and facing opposition, making internal unity and external witness through love paramount for survival and growth.

1 Thessalonians 3 12 Word analysis

• And the Lord: kai ho kyrios (καὶ ὁ κύριος). "Lord" here almost certainly refers to Jesus Christ, given Paul's frequent use of Kyrios for Jesus, especially in connection with divine action and empowering of believers (cf. 1 Th 3:13; 4:16; 5:23). It emphasizes that this growth in love is a divine work, not merely human effort or resolve.
• make you to increase: pleonasai (πλεονάσαι), from pleonazō. An aorist infinitive implying a decisive action. It means "to cause to abound, to augment, to increase." This signifies a quantitative growth or superabundance initiated and enabled by God, making something more prevalent or numerous.
• and abound: kai perisseusai (καὶ περισσεῦσαι), from perisseuō. Also an aorist infinitive, often linked with pleonazō but carrying a stronger nuance. Perisseuō means "to be over and above, to superabound, to overflow, to excel, to have more than enough." It suggests not just growth but a lavish, overflowing abundance, far exceeding what is merely sufficient, emphasizing qualitative excellence and extraordinary manifestation. The two verbs together express a full, vigorous, and extensive growth.
• in love: en agapē (ἐν ἀγάπῃ). "Love" is agapē, which is the characteristic divine love, distinguished from human affection or sexual desire (eros or philia). It is volitional, self-sacrificial, and focused on the well-being of the other. This love is the sphere or medium in which their increase and abundance are to occur.
• one toward another: eis allēlous (εἰς ἀλλήλους). This specifies the immediate target of their love: the fellow members of the Christian community. It speaks to internal cohesion, mutual support, and spiritual fellowship essential for the health of the nascent church.
• and toward all men: kai eis pantas (καὶ εἰς πάντας). This phrase expands the scope of their love beyond the Christian family to encompass humanity at large. This includes non-believers, those who may oppose them, and anyone they encounter. It highlights the universal, outward-reaching nature of Christian love and its importance for evangelism and witness (cf. Gal 6:10). This aspect is particularly radical given the tribal loyalties common in the ancient world.
• even as we do toward you: kathōs kai hēmeis eis hymas (καθὼς καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς). Paul refers to himself, Silvanus, and Timothy. They served as living examples of sacrificial, diligent, and patient love towards the Thessalonians (cf. 1 Th 2:7-12). This establishes a standard or model for the Thessalonians' own loving behavior, rooting their aspiration in a tangible, observed reality.

1 Thessalonians 3 12 Bonus section

• Connection to Eschatology: This verse immediately precedes and is implicitly linked to verse 13, which speaks of being "unblameable in holiness before God... at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." The growth and abundance in love (v.12) are presented as prerequisites and enablers for believers to be established in holiness, ready for the Lord's return. Thus, love is not just a virtue for daily life but a vital component of end-times readiness.
• God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: The phrasing "the Lord make you" emphasizes God's active role as the source and enabler of spiritual growth in love. It is a prayer, acknowledging human dependence on divine empowerment. However, this does not negate the believer's responsibility to respond and actively participate in living out this love. The command to love (e.g., John 13:34) and the prayer for its increase stand together.
• Practicality of Love: This prayer for "abounding" love points to love as something tangible, practical, and outwardly expressed, not merely an internal sentiment. It should overflow into concrete actions, care for others, and active well-doing within the community and beyond.

1 Thessalonians 3 12 Commentary

In 1 Thessalonians 3:12, Paul's prayer reveals the essence of genuine Christian growth. It's a divine work, sourced in the Lord, which actively cultivates an overflowing abundance of agapē—God's selfless, unconditional love. This love is not limited to mere affection but is to permeate and define the Christian community ("one toward another"), ensuring unity and mutual edification amidst persecution. Crucially, this prayer extends the scope of love "toward all men," demonstrating the comprehensive and outward-reaching nature of biblical love that embraces humanity beyond sectarian boundaries, serving as a powerful witness to the world. Paul's own demonstrated love sets the tangible example, proving that this call to abounding love is both achievable and essential for spiritual maturity, directly preceding his mention of their hearts being established in holiness for the Lord's coming. This prayer highlights that an increasing and abounding love is a sign of spiritual vitality and prepares believers for eternal fellowship with God.