1 Thessalonians 3:10

3:6-10 Thankfulness to God is very imperfect in the present state; but one great end of the ministry of the word is to help faith forward. That which was the instrument to obtain faith, is also the means of increasing and confirming it, namely, the ordinances of God; and as faith cometh by hearing, so it is confirmed by hearing also.

Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might {b} perfect that which is lacking in your faith? (b) Paul was forced through the pressing dealing of the enemies to leave the building which he had just begun: and for that reason he had left Silas and Timothy in Macedonia, and when Timothy came to Athens to him, he sent him back again immediately. So that he desires to see the Thessalonians, that he may thoroughly perfect their faith and religion, that was as yet imperfect.

1 Thessalonians 3:10 . Another adaptation of ethnic phraseology, cf. Griechische Urkunden , i. 246, 12, νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας ἐντυγχάνω τῷ θεῷ ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν (a pagan papyrus from second or third century, A.D.). The connection of δεόμενοι κ . τ . λ . with the foregoing words is loose, but probably may be found in the vivid realisation of the Thessalonians called up before his mind as he praised God for their constancy. Timothy had told him of their loyalty, but had evidently acquainted him also with some less promising tendencies and shortcomings in the church; possibly the Thessalonians had even asked for guidance on certain matters of belief and practice (see below). Hence Paul’s eagerness to be on the spot again, not merely for the sake of happy fellowship ( Romans 1:11 ), but to educate and guide his friends, supplying what was defective in their faith. As this was impracticable in the meantime, he proceeds to write down some kindly admonitions. Thus 10 b forms the transition to the second part of the letter; Paul, as usual, is wise enough to convey any correction or remonstrance on the back of hearty commendation. In the prayer which immediately follows, 10 a is echoed in 11, 10 b in 12, 13, for the maturing of the Thessalonian’s faith does not depend on the presence of their apostles. Whatever be the answer to the prayer of 11, the prayer of 12, 13 can be accomplished.

Exceedingly (ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ) Comp. Ephesians 3:20. Paul is fond of compounds with ὑπὲρ above. Of the 28 N.T. words compounded with ὑπὲρ, 22 are found in Paul, and 20 of them only there. Perfect (καταρτίσαι) Primarily, to adjust, fit together; so mend, Matthew 4:21. Of the creation of the world, Hebrews 11:3. See on Matthew 21:16; see on Luke 6:40; see on 1 Peter 5:10; see on Romans 9:22.

Verse 10. - Night and day (comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:9 ) praying exceedingly. Denoting the intense earnestness and anxiety of the apostle for the spiritual welfare of the Thessalonians, that found vent to itself in incessant prayer for them. Now follows the subject-matter of his prayer. That we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith. The faith of the Thessalonians was not perfect; it was "lacking" in several respects. It was defective in extent; they were ignorant of many of the doctrines of the gospel, and had formed erroneous views of other doctrines, such as the second advent. It was defective in application; they had not yet renounced all the corrupt practices of their former heathen life, nor had they embodied all the precepts of the gospel into their actual life. The Thessalonians were as yet but novices. So also the reason which impelled Paul to wish to come to Rome was to supply that which was lacking in the faith of the Roman converts ( Romans 1:11 ). Confirmation was a work in which the apostle delighted, being both important and desirable. In general, faith at first is weak and defective; it is only developed by degrees. Especially is it increased by every increase of spiritual knowledge. "Add to your faith knowledge" ( 2 Peter 1:5, 6 ).

The remark of Calvin is worthy of attention: "Paul is desirous of having the opportunity given him of supplying what is wanting in the faith of the Thessalonians, or, which is the same thing, completing in all its parts their faith which was as yet imperfect. Yet this is the faith which he had previously extolled marvelously. From this we infer that those who far surpass others are still far distant from the goal. Hence, whatever progress we may have made, let us keep in view our deficiencies, that we may not be reluctant to aim at something further." 1 Thessalonians 3:10

10. Night and day—(See on [2446]1Th 2:9). Night is the season for the saint's holiest meditations and prayers (2Ti 1:3). praying—connected with, "we joy"; we joy while we pray; or else as Alford, What thanks can we render to God while we pray? The Greek implies a beseeching request. exceedingly—literally, "more than exceeding abundantly" (compare Eph 3:20). that which is lacking—Even the Thessalonians had points in which they needed improvement [Bengel], (Lu 17:5). Their doctrinal views as to the nearness of Christ's coming, and as to the state of those who had fallen asleep, and their practice in some points, needed correction (1Th 4:1-9). Paul's method was to begin by commending what was praiseworthy, and then to correct what was amiss; a good pattern to all admonishers of others.

(10) See your face. —Seeing them by proxy might satisfy for the while, but not for long. This exceeding importunate, prayer is caused by the feeling that it was Satan’s hindrance ( 1Thessalonians 2:18 ), not God’s will, which forbad the meeting. He would not so have prayed to go into Bithynia ( Acts 16:7 ), for the essence of prayer is to conform the will to God’s will. That which is lacking in your faith.—Bishop Wordsworth points out the unflattering faithfulness of St. Paul’s dealing with his converts. What the deficiencies were is unknown, but they certainly include want of knowledge of the state of the dead and concerning the Advent.

We have here the last effect of Timothy’s message upon the apostle, it put him upon prayer for these Thessalonians; expressed by the assiduity of it, night and day, & c., that is, in a constant course; as we noted before, 1 Thessalonians 2:9 . And by the fervency of it, exceedingly, or excessively. The Greek word cannot well be Englished, yet is often used by the apostle when he would express any thing with an emphasis, as Ephesians 3:20 , and in this Epistle, 1 Thessalonians 5:13 . And by the matter of it; that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith. Though his Epistles might avail towards it, yet his personal presence would do more. There is a peculiar blessing attends oral preaching, more than reading. The like prayer he made with respect to the Romans, and upon the same account also, Romans 1:10,11 . Though the apostle had before commended their faith, yet there was something lacking in it. No faith is made perfect at first; yea, the best faith may have some defects. And the word is used elsewhere to signify something that is wanting, or left behind, 1 Corinthians 16:17 Colossians 1:24 . And their faith might be defective: 1. As to the matter of it, some mysteries of faith they might not yet understand; as the disciples did not, till after Christ’s ascension; and some of the Corinthians a while doubted the doctrine of the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:12 , &c. 2.

As to the clearness of it, with respect to the truths they did already know and believe. 3. As to the lively operations and fruits of it. The former defects are removed by doctrine, the last by exhortation and comfort, and the apostle desired to see their face on the account of both: and to perfect a thing is to make it complete, both as to parts and degrees. The word here used we find often in the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 13:11 Galatians 6:1 , &c.; and variously rendered in the several translations, but yet much to the same sense: the apostle being so suddenly driven from them, he left them as a house half built; but his affection to them was so great, that he longed to return to them for the perfecting of their faith, though he had met but a while before with such great perils at Thessalonica.

Night and day - Constantly. Praying exceedingly - Greek, abundantly; that is, there was much more than ordinary prayer. He made this a special subject of prayer; he urged it with earnestness, and without intermission; compare 1 Thessalonians 2:17. And might perfect that which is lacking in your faith - Might render it complete, or fill up anything which is missing. The word used here (καταρτίσαι katartisai), means, properly, to make fully ready, to put full in order, to make complete; see the Romans 9:22 note; 2 Corinthians 13:9 note; Galatians 6:1 note. It is rendered mending, Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19; perfect and perfected, Matthew 21:19; Luke 6:40; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; Hebrews 13:21; 1 Peter 5:10; fitted, Romans 9:22; perfectly joined together, 1 Corinthians 1:10; restore, Galatians 6:1; prepared, Hebrews 10:5; and framed, Hebrews 11:3. It is not elsewhere used in the New Testament. The meaning here is, that whatever was deficient in their views of religious doctrine the apostle desired to supply. It is to be remembered that he was with them but a comparatively short time before he was compelled to depart to Berea, and it is reasonable to suppose that there were many subjects on which he would be glad to have an opportunity to instruct them more fully.