1 Thessalonians 3:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

Complete Jewish Bible:

Indeed, how can we thank God enough for you or express to our God all the joy we feel because of you?

Berean Standard Bible:

How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence?

American Standard Version:

For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For^{G1063} what^{G5101} thanks^{G2169} can we^{G1410} render^{G467} to God^{G2316} again^{G467} for^{G4012} you^{G5216}, for^{G1909} all^{G3956} the joy^{G5479} wherewith^{G3739} we joy^{G5463} for^{G1223} your sakes^{G5209} before^{G1715} our^{G2257} God^{G2316};

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Commentary for 1 Thessalonians 3:9

1 Thessalonians 3:9 is part of the Apostle Paul's first letter to the Thessalonian church, which he founded during his second missionary journey around AD 50-52. The verse reflects Paul's deep gratitude and joy towards God for the spiritual progress and steadfastness of the Thessalonian believers. In this context, Paul is expressing his heartfelt thanks to God, acknowledging that words alone cannot fully express his gratitude for the joy he feels because of their faith and the reports of their endurance in the face of persecution.

The historical context of this verse is significant. Thessalonica was a major city in Macedonia, and the church there was predominantly Gentile. Paul had been forced to leave the city prematurely due to opposition from both Jewish and Gentile groups, and he was deeply concerned about the young church's ability to withstand persecution and false teachings. His joy is a response to Timothy's report, which brought good news of the Thessalonians' faith and love, confirming that the church was not only surviving but also thriving in difficult circumstances.

The themes of 1 Thessalonians 3:9 include thanksgiving, joy in the midst of trials, and the pastoral concern of church leaders for their congregations. Paul's expression of joy underscores the importance of prayerful thanksgiving for fellow believers and the work of God in their lives. It also highlights the reciprocal nature of Christian encouragement, as the faithfulness of the Thessalonians brings joy not only to Paul and his companions but also before God Himself. This verse encapsulates the profound impact of a community's faith on its leaders and the way in which spiritual growth can be a source of mutual encouragement and worship.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1063
   There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γάρ
   Transliteration: gár
   Pronunciation: gar
   Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G5101
   There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίς
   Transliteration: tís
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2169
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εὐχαριστία
   Transliteration: eucharistía
   Pronunciation: yoo-khar-is-tee'-ah
   Description: from εὐχάριστος; gratitude; actively, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship):--thankfulness, (giving of) thanks(-giving).
   
4. Strong's Number: G1410
   There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δύναμαι
   Transliteration: dýnamai
   Pronunciation: doo'-nam-ahee
   Description: of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
   
5. Strong's Number: G467
   There are 599 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀνταποδίδωμι
   Transliteration: antapodídōmi
   Pronunciation: an-tap-od-ee'-do-mee
   Description: from ἀντί and ἀποδίδωμι; to requite (good or evil):--recompense, render, repay.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2316
   There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: θεός
   Transliteration: theós
   Pronunciation: theh'-os
   Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
   
7. Strong's Number: G4012
   There are 304 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: περί
   Transliteration: perí
   Pronunciation: per-ee'
   Description: from the base of πέραν; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).
   
8. Strong's Number: G5216
   There are 503 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑμῶν
   Transliteration: hymōn
   Pronunciation: hoo-mone'
   Description: genitive case of ὑμεῖς; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).
   
9. Strong's Number: G1909
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπί
   Transliteration: epí
   Pronunciation: ep-ee'
   Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
   
10. Strong's Number: G3956
    There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πᾶς
    Transliteration: pâs
    Pronunciation: pas
    Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
    
11. Strong's Number: G5479
    There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: χαρά
    Transliteration: chará
    Pronunciation: khar-ah'
    Description: from χαίρω; cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight:--gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy(-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).
    
12. Strong's Number: G3739
    There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅς
    Transliteration: hós
    Pronunciation: ho
    Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
    
13. Strong's Number: G5463
    There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: χαίρω
    Transliteration: chaírō
    Pronunciation: khah'-ee-ro
    Description: a primary verb; to be "cheer"ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well:--farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hall, joy(- fully), rejoice.
    
14. Strong's Number: G1223
    There are 580 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: διά
    Transliteration: diá
    Pronunciation: dee-ah'
    Description: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
    
15. Strong's Number: G5209
    There are 388 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑμᾶς
    Transliteration: hymâs
    Pronunciation: hoo-mas'
    Description: accusative case of ὑμεῖς; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).
    
16. Strong's Number: G1715
    There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔμπροσθεν
    Transliteration: émprosthen
    Pronunciation: em'-pros-then
    Description: from ἐν and πρός; in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time):--against, at, before, (in presence, sight) of.
    
17. Strong's Number: G2257
    There are 365 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἡμῶν
    Transliteration: hēmōn
    Pronunciation: hay-mone'
    Description: genitive case plural of ἐγώ; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.