“For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God”
The full verse · 1 Thessalonians 3:9 · KJV
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Asked by
Paul: the apostle who first preached in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-4) and now writes with Silvanus and Timothy (1 Thessalonians 1:1), writing after Timothy's good report (1 Thessalonians 3:6)
Asked to
Thessalonians: the believers in Thessalonica, who had "turned to God from idols" (1 Thessalonians 1:9), who were standing firm in the faith through affliction (1 Thessalonians 3:3-8)
The Scene
Timothy has just returned from Thessalonica to Paul with "good tidings" of the believers' faith and love and their longing to see him (1 Thessalonians 3:6).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionPaul had been afraid that "the tempter" had shaken the Thessalonians and that his labor was in vain (1 Thessalonians 3:5). Timothy's report turned that fear into joy. The question says that no thanks he could give God would be equal to that joy. Barnes puts it this way: "what expression of thanksgiving can we render to God that shall be an equivalent for the joy which your holy walk has furnished." Gill notes that Paul had already thanked God for them before (1 Thessalonians 1:2) and now felt bound to give fresh thanks.
The Response
What Scripture recordsThe question flows straight into prayer. The KJV sentence continues, "Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?" (1 Thessalonians 3:10). Paul then prays that God would "direct our way unto you" and make them "increase and abound in love" (1 Thessalonians 3:11-12), so that their hearts would be established "unblameable in holiness" at the coming of the Lord Jesus (1 Thessalonians 3:13).
Historical Context
The world behind the wordsPaul had been forced out of Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-10). Unable to wait any longer, he stayed "at Athens alone" and sent Timothy back "to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith" (1 Thessalonians 3:1-2). This verse is Paul's response once Timothy returned. In the Greek, Paul's word for "thanks" is eucharistia, thanksgiving, and the KJV's "render to God again" carries the sense of giving back to God in return for what He has given.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyPaul does not thank the Thessalonians for standing firm; he thanks God. Their faith was God's work, so the joy it brought belonged to God too. That is why the joy is "before our God." Matthew Henry draws the lesson: "When we are most cheerful we should be most thankful. What we rejoice in we should give thanks for."
The question also shows how joy and prayer belong together. Paul's gratitude does not make him relax. Gill notes that though their faith was growing, Paul knew "it was not perfect," so thanksgiving sent him back to prayer "night and day" (1 Thessalonians 3:10). Good news about others leads Paul to praise God and to keep asking for more of His work in them.
Look Closer
What had Paul feared before Timothy came back?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Father, whose faith have You strengthened that I have forgotten to thank You for, and what are You still wanting to do in them?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- When good news comes about someone you care about, do you tend to thank God, or simply feel relieved? What makes the difference?
- Tell about a time when hearing how someone was growing in faith filled you with joy.
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
When you hear that someone you love is standing firm in faith, you can do what Paul did: turn that joy into thanks to God. Their faithfulness is His work, and thanking Him keeps your joy rightly placed.
Then keep praying. Paul's thanks did not end his concern for the Thessalonians; it moved him to pray that God would supply what was still lacking (1 Thessalonians 3:10). Gratitude for what God has done is the best ground for asking Him to do more.
This is not about pressure to feel a certain way. Paul's joy came from real news. Ask God to help you notice what He is doing in others, and let your thanks follow.
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?”
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?”
“Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?”