1 Thessalonians 3:12

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

And {G1161} the Lord {G2962} make {G4121} you {G5209} to increase {G4121} and {G2532} abound {G4052} in love {G26} one {G240} toward {G1519} another {G240}, and {G2532} toward {G1519} all {G3956} men, even {G2532} as {G2509} we {G2249} do toward {G1519} you {G5209}:

And as for you, may the Lord make you increase and overflow in love toward each other, indeed, toward everyone, just as we do toward you;

And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,

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;

Commentary

1 Thessalonians 3:12 is a powerful prayer and benediction from the Apostle Paul, expressing his fervent desire for the spiritual growth of the Thessalonian believers. It focuses on the paramount importance of love, both within the Christian community and extending to all humanity.

Context

This verse comes at the end of Paul's deeply personal and emotional section in 1 Thessalonians chapter 3. Having been separated from the Thessalonians and deeply concerned about their nascent faith amidst persecution, Paul sent Timothy to check on them (1 Thess 3:2). Timothy's return with a positive report about their steadfastness brought immense comfort and joy to Paul (1 Thess 3:6-8). In response, Paul offers a prayer of thanksgiving and a passionate plea for their continued spiritual maturity, which culminates in this specific request for an increase in love, preceding his practical exhortations in subsequent chapters.

Key Themes

  • Abundant and Increasing Love: The phrases "increase and abound" signify a desire for continuous, overflowing growth in love. It's not merely having love, but having it in super-abundance, demonstrating a dynamic and expanding spiritual life.
  • Love for Fellow Believers: The primary focus is "love one toward another," highlighting the essential nature of brotherly love within the church community. This love is a distinguishing mark of Christ's disciples.
  • Universal Love: Crucially, the prayer extends beyond the church to "all men." This emphasizes the Christian calling to manifest love not just to those who are easy to love, but to everyone, including strangers, opponents, and the unlovely. This echoes the broader biblical command to love one's neighbor as oneself.
  • Divine Empowerment: The opening phrase, "And the Lord make you," underscores that this growth in love is not solely a human effort. It is a work of God within believers, an answer to prayer, and a testament to His power to transform hearts and enable spiritual fruitfulness.
  • Apostolic Example: Paul presents his own love for the Thessalonians ("even as we do toward you") as a practical model. His deep affection and spiritual care for them serve as an example of the kind of sacrificial and earnest love he desires for them to embody.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "love" in this verse is agape (ἀγάπη). This is not merely an emotional affection (like philia or eros), but a selfless, sacrificial, and benevolent love, often described as divine love. It is a love that wills the good of others, actively seeking their welfare and demonstrating compassion. Paul prays for the Thessalonians to be filled with this God-like love, which is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless reminder and an inspiring prayer for believers today. It challenges us to:

  • Prioritize Love: Recognize that love is the supreme virtue and the foundation of Christian living, surpassing even faith and hope (1 Corinthians 13:13).
  • Cultivate Growth: Actively seek to increase and abound in love, understanding that it is a continuous process of spiritual maturity, empowered by God.
  • Extend Love Broadly: Practice love both within the church family, fostering unity and support, and outwardly to the wider world, demonstrating Christ's compassion to all people.
  • Pray for Love: Emulate Paul by earnestly praying for ourselves and for other believers to be filled with an overflowing, selfless love that reflects the heart of God.
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Cross-References

  • Philippians 1:9 (16 votes)

    ¶ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and [in] all judgment;

  • Matthew 22:39 (10 votes)

    And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

  • 1 John 4:7 (9 votes)

    ¶ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

  • 1 John 4:16 (9 votes)

    And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

  • Romans 13:8 (9 votes)

    Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

  • 1 John 3:11 (7 votes)

    ¶ For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

  • 1 John 3:19 (7 votes)

    And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.