1 Thessalonians 3:10
New International Version
Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

New Living Translation
Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.

English Standard Version
as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

Berean Standard Bible
Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith.

Berean Literal Bible
night and day imploring exceedingly for us to see your face and to supply the things lacking of you in faith?

King James Bible
Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

New King James Version
night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

New American Standard Bible
as we keep praying most earnestly night and day that we may see your faces, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

NASB 1995
as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

NASB 1977
as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

Legacy Standard Bible
as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

Amplified Bible
We continue to pray night and day most earnestly that we may see you face to face, and may complete whatever may be imperfect and lacking in your faith.

Christian Standard Bible
as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?

American Standard Version
night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Contemporary English Version
Day and night we sincerely pray that we will see you again and help you to have an even stronger faith.

English Revised Version
night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We pray very hard night and day that we may see you again so that we can supply whatever you still need for your faith.

Good News Translation
Day and night we ask him with all our heart to let us see you personally and supply what is needed in your faith.

International Standard Version
We pray very hard night and day that we may see you again face to face, so that we may equip you with whatever is lacking in your faith.

Majority Standard Bible
Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking from your faith.

NET Bible
We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person and make up what may be lacking in your faith.

New Heart English Bible
night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Webster's Bible Translation
Night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Weymouth New Testament
while night and day, with intense earnestness, we pray that we may see your faces, and may bring to perfection whatever may be still lacking in your faith?

World English Bible
night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
exceedingly imploring night and day, that we might see your face, and perfect the things lacking in your faith?

Berean Literal Bible
night and day imploring exceedingly for us to see your face and to supply the things lacking of you in faith?

Young's Literal Translation
night and day exceedingly beseeching, that we might see your face, and perfect the things lacking in your faith.

Smith's Literal Translation
Night and day praying exceedingly to see your face, and to adjust things wanting of your faith?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Night and day more abundantly praying that we may see your face, and may accomplish those things that are wanting to your faith?

Catholic Public Domain Version
For night and day, ever more abundantly, we are praying that we may see your face, and that we may complete those things that are lacking in your faith.

New American Bible
Night and day we pray beyond measure to see you in person and to remedy the deficiencies of your faith.

New Revised Standard Version
Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Except, before God to abundantly offer supplication, night and day, to see your faces, and to complete that which is lacking in your faith?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Except that before God, we pray all the more earnestly, night and day, to see your faces, and perfect whatever is lacking in your faith?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Godbey New Testament
night and day praying incessantly that we may see your face, and perfect the deficiencies of your faith?

Haweis New Testament
night and day most fervently praying that we may see your face, and amply supply the deficiencies of your faith?

Mace New Testament
whilst night and day we make our ardent requests to him, that we may once more be present with you, that nothing may be wanting to the perfection of your faith?

Weymouth New Testament
while night and day, with intense earnestness, we pray that we may see your faces, and may bring to perfection whatever may be still lacking in your faith?

Worrell New Testament
night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and perfect the deficiencies in your faith?

Worsley New Testament
night and day most ardently praying, that we may see your face, and perfect whatever is wanting in your faith?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Timothy's Encouraging Report
9How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking from your faith. 11Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.…

Cross References
Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, / so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, / filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Colossians 1:9-10
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, / so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Ephesians 1:15-18
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, / I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, / that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. ...

2 Corinthians 13:9
In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection.

Romans 1:9-11
God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you / in my prayers at all times, asking that now at last by God’s will I may succeed in coming to you. / For I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you,

James 1:4
Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

2 Thessalonians 1:11
To this end, we always pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of His calling, and that He will powerfully fulfill your every good desire and work of faith,

1 Corinthians 1:4-8
I always thank my God for you because of the grace He has given you in Christ Jesus. / For in Him you have been enriched in every way, in all speech and all knowledge, / because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. ...

2 Peter 1:5-8
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; / and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; / and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ...

Hebrews 13:21
equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Acts 20:32
And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.

Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. / Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, / I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as did my forefathers, as I constantly remember you night and day in my prayers.

Romans 15:30-32
Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. / Pray that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, / so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.

Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.


Treasury of Scripture

Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Night.

Luke 2:37
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Acts 26:7
Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

praying.

1 Thessalonians 3:11
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

1 Thessalonians 2:17,18
But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire…

Romans 1:10
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

might perfect.

Romans 1:11,12
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; …

2 Corinthians 1:15,24
And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit; …

2 Corinthians 13:9,11
For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection…

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Beseeching Complete Earnestly Earnestness End Exceedingly Face Faces Faith Intense Lacking Night Perfect Perfection Praying Requesting Supply Whatever
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Beseeching Complete Earnestly Earnestness End Exceedingly Face Faces Faith Intense Lacking Night Perfect Perfection Praying Requesting Supply Whatever
1 Thessalonians 3
1. Paul testifies his great love to the Thessalonians,
5. partly by sending Timothy unto them to strengthen and comfort them;
7. partly by rejoicing in their well-doing;
10. and partly by praying for them, and desiring a safe coming unto them.














Night and day
This phrase emphasizes the continuous and fervent nature of Paul's prayers. In the Greek, "νυκτός καὶ ἡμέρας" (nyktos kai hēmeras) suggests an unceasing devotion, reflecting the Jewish practice of praying at set times throughout the day and night. Historically, this dedication mirrors the early Christian community's commitment to constant prayer, as seen in Acts 2:42, where believers devoted themselves to prayer and fellowship. This phrase inspires modern believers to cultivate a persistent prayer life, seeking God's presence and guidance at all times.

we pray most earnestly
The Greek word for "most earnestly" is "ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ" (hyperekperissou), which conveys an intensity and abundance in prayer. This reflects Paul's deep love and concern for the Thessalonian church. The historical context shows that Paul, having been separated from the Thessalonians, felt a strong spiritual bond and responsibility for their growth and well-being. This phrase encourages believers to pray with passion and sincerity, understanding the power and importance of intercessory prayer in the life of the church.

that we may see you face to face
The desire to see the Thessalonians "face to face" highlights the importance of personal fellowship and community in the early church. The Greek "πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον" (prosōpon pros prosōpon) indicates a longing for direct, personal interaction, which was crucial for teaching, encouragement, and accountability. In a historical context, personal visits were vital for maintaining relationships and ensuring the transmission of apostolic teaching. This phrase challenges modern believers to value and prioritize personal connections within the body of Christ, recognizing the strength and unity that come from being physically present with one another.

and supply what is lacking in your faith
The Greek word for "supply" is "καταρτίσαι" (katartisai), meaning to complete or perfect. Paul acknowledges that the Thessalonians' faith, though genuine, still needed growth and maturity. Historically, this reflects the ongoing process of discipleship and spiritual formation in the early church. The phrase "what is lacking" suggests areas where the Thessalonians needed further teaching or encouragement. This serves as a reminder that all believers are on a journey of faith, continually needing to grow and mature in their understanding and practice of the Christian life. It encourages the church to support one another in this process, providing teaching, encouragement, and correction as needed.

(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.

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."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Night
νυκτὸς (nyktos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3571: The night, night-time. A primary word; 'night'.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

day
ἡμέρας (hēmeras)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

we pray
δεόμενοι (deomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1189: To want for myself; I want, need; I beg, request, beseech, pray. Middle voice of deo; to beg, i.e. Petition.

most earnestly
ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ (hyperekperissou)
Adverb
Strong's 5228: Gen: in behalf of; acc: above.

that
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

we may see
ἰδεῖν (idein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

you
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

face to face
πρόσωπον (prosōpon)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4383: From pros and ops; the front, i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

supply
καταρτίσαι (katartisai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2675: From kata and a derivative of artios; to complete thoroughly, i.e. Repair or adjust.

what
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

is lacking
ὑστερήματα (hysterēmata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5303: From hustereo; a deficit; specially, poverty.

from your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

faith.
πίστεως (pisteōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.


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NT Letters: 1 Thessalonians 3:10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we (1 Thess. 1 Thes. 1Th iTh i Th)
1 Thessalonians 3:9
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