1 Thessalonians 3:12
Verse
Context
Timothy’s Encouraging Report
11Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.12And 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,13so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Make you to increase and abound in love - They had already love to each other, so as to unite them in one Christian body; and he prays that they may have an increase and an abundance of it; that they might feel the same love to each other which he felt for them all.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The "you" in the Greek is emphatically put first; "But" (so the Greek for "and") what concerns "YOU," whether we come or not, "may the Lord make you to increase and abound in love," &c. The Greek for "increase" has a more positive force; that for "abound" a more comparative force, "make you full (supplying 'that which is lacking,' Th1 3:10) and even abound." "The Lord" may here be the Holy Spirit; so the Three Persons of the Trinity will be appealed to (compare Th1 3:13), as in Th2 3:5. So the Holy Ghost is called "the Lord" (Co2 3:17). "Love" is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22), and His office is "to stablish in holiness" (Th1 3:13; Pe1 1:2).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the Lord make you to increase,.... That is, the Lord the Spirit; so that the object of prayer, addressed by the apostle, is Father, Son, and Spirit, as in Rev 1:4. The Alexandrian copy reads "God". The Spirit is God, equally with the Father and the Son, and so a fit object of prayer with them, which otherwise he would not be. The request is, that he would cause these saints to increase in number, as the first churches greatly did: and in the gifts of the Spirit, which he divides to men severally as he will; and in his graces, as in faith, in hope, in holiness, in humility, in knowledge, in spiritual joy and strength, an increase in all which is from him: and abound in love one towards another; for though they were taught of God to love one another, and did do so, and the apostle had had good tidings of their love; yet it was not perfect, there was room for a further exercise of it, by serving each other by it, in things spiritual and temporal; and he had his request, for it did abound in everyone of them towards each other, Th2 1:3 and towards all men; the men of the world, who were without, were not members of the church, nor professors of the Christian religion, but enemies to that, and to Christ, and to them; and yet they were to love them as men, and pray for them, and do them all the good that lay in their power: even as we do towards you; for the love of the apostle, and those with him, abounded more and more towards these saints, and was so far from being weakened, that it was increased by their absence from them; and they were more abundantly desirous of seeing them, and were even quite impatient until they sent to them, and heard of them.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:12 A characteristic of this church was their love for one another as members of God’s family (4:9; 2 Thes 1:3-4). Paul prays that their love will grow and overflow toward those outside the Christian community (cp. 1 Thes 5:15; Gal 6:10; 2 Tim 2:24; Titus 3:2) even in the face of persecution.
1 Thessalonians 3:12
Timothy’s Encouraging Report
11Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.12And 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,13so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Secret of Growing
By Bill McLeod1.6K51:39Spiritual Growth1TH 3:121TH 4:9In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of showing love and compassion towards others, especially those in need. He shares a story about a young man who was moved by a film about the work of Daniel Abraham in India and decided to donate his savings of $1000 towards his cause. The preacher also mentions the power of music and singing in uplifting the soul and creating a sense of unity among believers. He encourages Christians to have a heart for world missions and suggests a book on the topic that provides information about the spiritual condition and prayer needs of different countries.
Christian Love
By Bill McLeod1.3K27:04LoveEZK 33:31JHN 17:26ROM 5:51TH 3:121TH 4:91JN 3:181JN 4:7In this sermon, the speaker shares two powerful illustrations about the transformative power of love. The first story is about a pastor in Chile who, after struggling with a stagnant church, simply told his congregation to love one another. This simple message sparked a change in the church and things began to happen. The second story is about D.L. Moody, who experienced a profound encounter with the love of God that transformed his ministry. The speaker emphasizes the importance of living a life of love, not just in words, but in actions. They also encourage listeners to examine their own hearts and ask God to fill them with His love. The sermon references passages from Ezekiel, 1 John, 1 Corinthians, and Philippians to support the message of love and serving others.
Rebuilding Relationships
By George Verwer61845:321TH 1:51TH 3:91TH 3:121TH 4:31TH 4:9In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of aiming for high goals and principles in the body of Christ. He highlights the need for love and sanctification among believers, as well as the responsibility to address those who have gone astray. The speaker also emphasizes that the gospel should not just be preached in words, but also demonstrated through power and life. He encourages believers to prioritize their own walk with God and their relationships with one another. The sermon references verses from 1 Thessalonians and highlights the example of Paul and his team's gentle and affectionate approach in sharing the gospel.
1 Thes 3
By Phil Beach Jr.2918:52Christian LifeHoliness and FellowshipLove in the Church1TH 3:12Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the challenges faced by the early church in Thessalonica, drawing parallels to today's society that often defies God's moral standards. He highlights the importance of love within the church community, urging believers to support one another and avoid gossip and division. Beach warns against the manipulative behaviors that can arise in relationships, stressing that true fellowship is rooted in holiness and the teachings of Jesus. He encourages the congregation to embrace their identity as living stones in the body of Christ, fostering genuine connections and accountability. Ultimately, he calls for a return to biblical principles and a commitment to love and serve one another as Christ intended.
Prayers for the Sanctification of Believers.
By Daniel Steele02CH 16:9GAL 5:22PHP 4:11TH 3:12Daniel Steele preaches on the importance of love as the secret to bliss, emphasizing the overflowing joy that comes from sacrificial love for others, especially for the souls of people. He highlights the strong bond of love between a pastor and converts, forged through self-denial and toil for those dead in sin, leading to an intensified love and joy. Steele delves into the concept of love continually increasing in knowledge of God, emphasizing that love is the element in which holiness exists and must have a man-ward as well as a God-ward direction.
Our Failure
By Mary Wilder Tileston0PRO 19:8MAT 6:14EPH 4:321TH 3:121JN 4:7Mary Wilder Tileston, preaching on the theme of love and wisdom, emphasizes that loving God is essential to understanding the true worth of love, as it is a gift from Him. She highlights the interconnectedness of loving God and loving others, stating that failing to be loving also means failing to be wise. Tileston urges the congregation to seek forgiveness for acts of malice and uncharitableness, and to pray for the spirit of true charity, which is true wisdom. She encourages a mindset of empathy, understanding, and forgiveness towards others, reflecting the love and forgiveness God extends to us as His children.
Experimental Religion
By Thomas Reade01CO 10:122CO 4:5EPH 3:16COL 1:91TH 3:122TI 1:12HEB 4:11JN 2:31JN 4:1REV 3:2Thomas Reade preaches on the importance of Experimental Religion, emphasizing the deep personal knowledge and experience of Christ that believers should strive for, as seen in the lives of Paul and John. He highlights the need for spiritual wisdom, understanding, and a rich experience of God's love through the Holy Spirit. Reade warns against the dangers of unbelief, self-deception, and the fear of man, urging believers to hold fast to the truth of Scripture and to walk in the light of God's Word.
Grace Abounding
By A.B. Simpson0GraceRedemptionJHN 10:10ROM 5:202CO 9:8GAL 6:7EPH 2:7EPH 3:20PHP 1:91TH 3:121TI 1:152PE 1:5A.B. Simpson emphasizes the overwhelming power of grace in his sermon 'Grace Abounding,' illustrating how God's grace surpasses sin through various natural and biblical examples. He explains that just as a tree heals stronger after a wound, God's grace transforms the most sinful into vessels of His glory, exemplified by figures like Paul, who was once the 'chief of sinners.' Simpson encourages believers to recognize that no sin is too great for God's grace, which not only forgives but also restores and empowers for greater usefulness. He concludes by urging the faithful to embrace the abundant grace available to them, which can counteract the consequences of sin and lead to a life of victory and purpose.
Letter to Some Priests of Antioch
By St. John Chrysostom0PRO 17:17ROM 13:8COL 3:141TH 3:121JN 4:7John Chrysostom expresses his deep affection for his friends, emphasizing the insatiable nature of love where the more one receives, the more one desires. He encourages his friends to continue showing love towards him, highlighting the mutual enrichment that comes from giving and receiving love. Despite the challenges and difficulties they may face in keeping in touch, Chrysostom urges them to write to him regularly, as he greatly values their love and connection.
Holiness With Love
By Zac Poonen0LoveHoliness1TH 3:12Zac Poonen emphasizes that true holiness is inseparable from love, as demonstrated in 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, where love for one another is essential for being unblamable in holiness. He warns against a counterfeit holiness that lacks love, which leads to self-righteousness and legalism, and highlights that God's nature is love, as seen in the New Testament. Poonen illustrates that the ultimate victory over hatred and evil was achieved through love at the crucifixion of Jesus, and that the true mark of the Spirit's fullness is love, not merely spiritual gifts. He calls believers to reject the lie that evil can be overcome by evil, urging them to respond to attacks with love instead. Ultimately, he asserts that the church can only thrive when its members are committed to demonstrating love at all times, as this is the foundation of God's kingdom.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Make you to increase and abound in love - They had already love to each other, so as to unite them in one Christian body; and he prays that they may have an increase and an abundance of it; that they might feel the same love to each other which he felt for them all.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The "you" in the Greek is emphatically put first; "But" (so the Greek for "and") what concerns "YOU," whether we come or not, "may the Lord make you to increase and abound in love," &c. The Greek for "increase" has a more positive force; that for "abound" a more comparative force, "make you full (supplying 'that which is lacking,' Th1 3:10) and even abound." "The Lord" may here be the Holy Spirit; so the Three Persons of the Trinity will be appealed to (compare Th1 3:13), as in Th2 3:5. So the Holy Ghost is called "the Lord" (Co2 3:17). "Love" is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22), and His office is "to stablish in holiness" (Th1 3:13; Pe1 1:2).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the Lord make you to increase,.... That is, the Lord the Spirit; so that the object of prayer, addressed by the apostle, is Father, Son, and Spirit, as in Rev 1:4. The Alexandrian copy reads "God". The Spirit is God, equally with the Father and the Son, and so a fit object of prayer with them, which otherwise he would not be. The request is, that he would cause these saints to increase in number, as the first churches greatly did: and in the gifts of the Spirit, which he divides to men severally as he will; and in his graces, as in faith, in hope, in holiness, in humility, in knowledge, in spiritual joy and strength, an increase in all which is from him: and abound in love one towards another; for though they were taught of God to love one another, and did do so, and the apostle had had good tidings of their love; yet it was not perfect, there was room for a further exercise of it, by serving each other by it, in things spiritual and temporal; and he had his request, for it did abound in everyone of them towards each other, Th2 1:3 and towards all men; the men of the world, who were without, were not members of the church, nor professors of the Christian religion, but enemies to that, and to Christ, and to them; and yet they were to love them as men, and pray for them, and do them all the good that lay in their power: even as we do towards you; for the love of the apostle, and those with him, abounded more and more towards these saints, and was so far from being weakened, that it was increased by their absence from them; and they were more abundantly desirous of seeing them, and were even quite impatient until they sent to them, and heard of them.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:12 A characteristic of this church was their love for one another as members of God’s family (4:9; 2 Thes 1:3-4). Paul prays that their love will grow and overflow toward those outside the Christian community (cp. 1 Thes 5:15; Gal 6:10; 2 Tim 2:24; Titus 3:2) even in the face of persecution.