2 Thessalonians 1:3 kjv

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

2 Thessalonians 1:3 nkjv

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,

2 Thessalonians 1:3 niv

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 esv

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 nlt

Dear brothers and sisters, we can't help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.

2 Thessalonians 1 verses

2 Thessalonians 1 3 Meaning

The Apostle Paul expresses his profound and continuous thanksgiving to God concerning the believers in Thessalonica. He declares it as a rightful and necessary duty to give thanks, specifically because of two observable and extraordinary evidences of their spiritual vitality: their faith is growing beyond measure, and the love they all share for one another is abundantly increasing. This verse highlights the deep spiritual connection and the remarkable spiritual progress of the Thessalonian church, even amidst tribulations.

2 Thessalonians 1 3 Context

This verse opens the substantive part of 2 Thessalonians, following Paul's customary salutation. It serves as a strong pastoral encouragement and a powerful affirmation before Paul addresses more specific issues later in the letter. The Thessalonian church was established rapidly but faced significant persecution, as evidenced in both letters to them (1 Thes 2:14; 2 Thes 1:4). Amidst these trials, their spiritual resilience was noteworthy. By commencing with effusive thanksgiving for their exceptional growth in faith and love, Paul not only models godly leadership but also establishes a foundation of commendation and joy, validating their struggles and affirming their faithfulness. This positive start assures them of Paul’s unwavering care and sets a tone of spiritual strength and maturity from which to address the theological and practical challenges presented in the rest of the epistle.

2 Thessalonians 1 3 Word analysis

• We ought always to thank: (KJV: "We are bound to thank") Ophielomen eucharistein (ὀφείλομεν εὐχαριστεῖν).
  • Ophielomen (from opheilō) signifies a strong sense of indebtedness, a moral obligation, or a spiritual duty. It is not mere politeness but a recognition of something that must be done. This implies that their growth compels Paul to give thanks.
  • Eucharistein (from eucharisteō) means "to give thanks" and carries the root charis (grace), linking thanksgiving directly to God's gracious acts.
• Always: Pantote (πάντοτε).
  • This adverb emphasizes the continuous, persistent, and constant nature of Paul's thanksgiving. It suggests that his gratitude for them is not intermittent but an abiding posture.
• God: Tō Theō (τῷ Θεῷ).
  • Specifically referring to the one true God, distinct from the polytheistic deities common in the Greco-Roman world. The thanks is directed to the divine source of their growth.
• For you, brothers and sisters: (KJV: "for you, brethren") Hyper hymōn, adelphoi (ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί).
  • Hyper hymōn means "on behalf of you" or "concerning you." The object of Paul's thanksgiving to God is their spiritual state.
  • Adelphoi is a common term for fellow believers, emphasizing their spiritual kinship and communal identity in Christ.
• And rightly so: (KJV: "as it is meet") Kathōs axion estin (καθὼς ἄξιόν ἐστιν).
  • This phrase indicates that Paul's thanksgiving is appropriate, fitting, and indeed deserved. The "rightness" is not based on arbitrary feeling but on the observable spiritual reality of their growth. It's an affirmation of the objective justification for his gratitude.
• Because your faith is growing more and more: (KJV: "because that your faith groweth exceedingly") Hē pistis hymōn hypereauxanei (ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν ὑπεραυξάνει).
  • Pistis refers to their active trust, loyalty, and fidelity to Christ, not just intellectual belief.
  • Hypereauxanei (from hyperauxanō) is a strong verb, combining hyper- (over, above, beyond) with auxanō (to grow, increase). It literally means "to super-abound" or "to grow exceedingly/beyond measure." It denotes an extraordinary, impressive, and flourishing growth of their faith. This is significant because faith often wavers during persecution.
• And the love all of you have for one another is increasing: (KJV: "and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;") Kai hē agapē hekastou pantōn hymōn eis allēlous pleonazei (καὶ ἡ ἀγάπη ἑκάστου πάντων ὑμῶν εἰς ἀλλήλους πλεονάζει).
  • Agapē signifies divine, self-sacrificing love, distinct from mere affection. It is the hallmark of Christian living (Jn 13:35).
  • Hekastou pantōn hymōn ("of each one of you all") emphasizes the universality of this increase in love within the community. It wasn't just a few individuals but a pervasive trait among them.
  • Pleonazei (from pleonazō) means "to abound," "to be in excess," or "to increase abundantly." Like hyperauxanei, it suggests a quantitative and qualitative growth, an overflowing of love, a marked increase in its manifestation and depth within their interactions.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "We ought always to thank God": Highlights Paul's deeply ingrained practice of giving God thanks as a fundamental obligation, flowing from observing God's work in others. This demonstrates a core tenet of spiritual life: recognizing and praising God's active involvement in the lives of believers.
• "Your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing": These two phrases represent the vertical dimension (faith in God) and the horizontal dimension (love for one another) of Christian growth. The use of intense Greek verbs (hypereauxanei and pleonazei) emphasizes that this wasn't minimal or expected growth, but truly exceptional, indicating genuine spiritual maturity and divine blessing upon them. This growth was likely even more impressive considering the persecution they faced.

2 Thessalonians 1 3 Bonus section

• Divine Empowerment: The language of "growing exceedingly" and "abounding" points to God's enablement rather than purely human effort. While believers are called to participate in their growth, the supernatural flourishing implied here suggests the Holy Spirit's powerful work within the Thessalonian church (1 Cor 3:6-7, Phil 2:13).
• Exemplary Church: The Thessalonian church serves as an example not only to Paul but also to other believers of genuine spiritual vitality, even amidst severe trials. Their faith and love were living proofs of the gospel's power and their genuine conversion.
• Foundation for Exhortation: By beginning with profound praise, Paul softens the ground for any future exhortations or corrections (which he will provide later in the letter concerning idleness and eschatological matters). This approach validates the believers and ensures they know they are genuinely loved and esteemed by their spiritual father.

2 Thessalonians 1 3 Commentary

This verse offers profound insights into Christian spiritual life and pastoral leadership. Paul models thanksgiving as an essential aspect of ministry and discipleship, focusing on the evidence of God's work in the lives of others rather than solely on their challenges. The Thessalonians' faith was "growing exceedingly," suggesting that their reliance and trust in God were not only firm but also expanding, becoming deeper and stronger, especially potent against a backdrop of suffering. Complementing this vertical growth was an abounding "love for one another," indicative of a healthy and unified community that practiced the love of Christ. This dual progression in faith and love signifies holistic spiritual maturity—faith that strengthens their relationship with God, and love that fortifies their relationships with each other. It is not a stagnant faith but a vibrant, dynamic, and increasing reality that evokes warranted praise to God.