1 Thessalonians 3:12

Text (1 Thessalonians 3:12)

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

Translation and Paraphrase

12.

And may the Lord (Jesus) make you to increase and (even) abound in love for one another, and (also) toward all (men), just as we (do) unto you.

Notes (1 Thessalonians 3:12)

1.

It humbles us to read this prayer of Paul. For we notice that Paul asks the LORD to make them increase in love. We dare not forget at any time, that though we may teach and labor and set an example with all our power, it is the Lord who transforms men. We may plant and water, but it is the LORD that gives the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6. We cannot do God's work for Him.

2.

There are two requests in this prayer: (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13)

(1)

That God may direct our way unto you. 1 Thessalonians 3:11

(2)

That God will make you to increase and abound in love, 1 Thessalonians 3:12

(a)

In love toward one another.

(b)

In love toward all men.

3.

Paul addressed the second petition of his prayer to the Lord, The Lord is Jesus, Acts 2:36; Acts 10:36.

4.

The petition in 1 Thessalonians 3:12 is for the increase of their love. Love is the greatest thing in the world. Faith, abilities, knowledge, and even good works, without love are of no avail. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. This is the message which ye have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 1 John 3:11.

5.

For the Thessalonians to have loved all men, in the face of the abuse they were receiving, was indeed a development of character that only God could produce. Christians must love all men, even their enemies and persecutors. True followers of Jesus do not persecute even the worst of men. They may rebuke them and withdraw from them, but they do it out of a desire to lead them to a change of mind, and not as a punishment.

6.

Paul's prayer that the Lord might make their love to increase, seems to have been answered rather definitely. For in 2 Thessalonians 1:3, we find Paul expressing thanks that the charity (love) of each one of you all toward each other aboundeth. God does answer prayer.

7.

After reading Paul's expressions of unlimited love for the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 2:17, 1 Thessalonians 3:8-9, etc., it almost staggers us to read here in 1 Thessalonians 3:12 that Paul says his love for them was increasing. How could it do so? But surely Paul was telling the truth.