1 Thessalonians 3:8

Encouraged by Timothy

6 ^aBut now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, ^bas we also to see you—

7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress ^awe were comforted concerning you by your faith.

8 For now we live, if you ^astand fast in the Lord.

9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,

10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face ^aand perfect what is lacking in your faith?

Prayer for the Church

11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, ^adirect our way to you.

12 And may the Lord make you increase and ^aabound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,

13 so that He may establish ^ayour hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Commentaries:

Barnes' Notes

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1 Thessalonians 3:8

For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord - This is equivalent to saying, "My life and comfort depend on your stability in the faith, and your correct Christian walk;" compare Martial 6:70. Non est vivere, sed valere, vita - "Life consists not merely in living, but in the enjoyment of health." See also Seneca, Epis. 99, and Manilius, I Thessalonians 4:5, as quoted by Wetstein. The meaning here is, that Paul now enjoyed life; he had that which constituted real life, in the fact that they acted as became Christians, and so as to show that his labor among them had not been in vain. The same thing here affirmed is true of all faithful ministers of the gospel. They feel that they have something that may be called life, and that is worth living for, when those to whom they preach maintain a close walk with God.

**Other Barnes' Notes entries containing 1 Thessalonians 3:8:**

1 Thessalonians 2:6

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