1 Thessalonians 3:11

Text (1 Thessalonians 3:11)

11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you:

Translation and Paraphrase

11.

But (now) may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our path (once again) unto you.

Notes (1 Thessalonians 3:11)

1.

There are numerous brief prayers, such as this one, in the Thessalonian epistles. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:5; 2 Thessalonians 3:16. These written prayers show the character of Paul's mind. He could break into prayer in speaking or writing at any time. He prayed without ceasing. We should develop a similar habit of praying to God at every moment of joy or need. It should be just as easy as talking to any dear loved one.

2.

The prayer which is started in this verse (and goes to the end of the chapter) forms the conclusion of Part One of I Thessalonians. There is also a prayer near the end of Part Two (at 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

3.

This prayer that God would direct Paul's path back to the Thessalonians was answered in due time. See the notes on 1 Thessalonians 3:10, par. 7.

4.

There is a very notable, even if incidental, testimony to the glory of the Lord Jesus in this verse. Note that Paul addresses his prayer BOTH to God and to Jesus. Evidently Jesus answers prayers as well as God.

But while the subject in this verse is PLURAL (God and the Lord Jesus), the verb is SINGULAR. (This is not apparent in English, but the Greek text shows it plainly.) This should go far to prove that God and Christ Jesus are ONE in the godhead, even though they are separate personalities. (This very Scripture was used by Athanasius against Arius back in the fourth century, to prove the deity of Jesus.)

5.

The American Standard Version and the Greek text omit the word Christ after Jesus. The word Christ is not found in most of the ancient texts. Its omission does not affect the thought one bit.