1 Thessalonians 3:11
New International Version
Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

New Living Translation
May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon.

English Standard Version
Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you,

Berean Standard Bible
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.

Berean Literal Bible
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.

King James Bible
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

New King James Version
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.

New American Standard Bible
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you;

NASB 1995
Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you;

NASB 1977
Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you;

Legacy Standard Bible
Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you,

Amplified Bible
Now may our God and Father Himself, and Jesus our Lord guide our steps to you [by removing the obstacles that stand in our way].

Christian Standard Bible
Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.

American Standard Version
Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you:

Contemporary English Version
We pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus will let us visit you.

English Revised Version
Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus will guide us to you.

Good News Translation
May our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus prepare the way for us to come to you!

International Standard Version
Now may our God and Father and our Lord Jesus provide a way for us to visit you.

Majority Standard Bible
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.

NET Bible
Now may God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you.

New Heart English Bible
Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you;

Webster's Bible Translation
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.

Weymouth New Testament
But may our God and Father Himself--and our Lord Jesus--guide us on our way to you;

World English Bible
Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you,

Berean Literal Bible
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.

Young's Literal Translation
And our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you,

Smith's Literal Translation
And God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But may God our Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.

New American Bible
Now may God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you,

New Revised Standard Version
Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now may God, our Father, and our LORD Jesus Christ, direct our journey unto you,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But God Our Father and our Lord Yeshua The Messiah shall direct our way to you,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Now, may God himself, even our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.

Godbey New Testament
But God himself, even our Father, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you:

Haweis New Testament
Now God himself, and our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you.

Mace New Testament
now may God our father, and our Lord Jesus Christ remove all the obstructions of our journey to you.

Weymouth New Testament
But may our God and Father Himself--and our Lord Jesus--guide us on our way to you;

Worrell New Testament
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you;

Worsley New Testament
And may God himself even our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way to you:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Timothy's Encouraging Report
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. 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,…

Cross References
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Romans 15:5-6
Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus, / so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who by grace has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope, / encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good word and deed.

2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, / to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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,

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, / 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.

1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.

John 14:13-14
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Psalm 37:23
The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey.

Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Isaiah 30:21
And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”

Jeremiah 10:23
I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.


Treasury of Scripture

Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.

God.

1 Thessalonians 3:13
To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Isaiah 63:16
Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

Jeremiah 31:9
They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

and our Lord.

Romans 1:3
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

2 Thessalonians 2:16
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

direct.

Ezra 8:21-23
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance…

Proverbs 3:5,6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding…

Mark 1:3
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

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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.














Now may our God and Father Himself
This phrase emphasizes the personal and intimate relationship believers have with God, who is both a sovereign deity and a loving Father. The use of "our" signifies a communal faith shared among believers. The dual reference to God as both "God" and "Father" highlights His authority and care. This echoes Jesus' teaching in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9), where God is addressed as "Our Father," indicating a familial relationship. The invocation of God as Father also reflects the Jewish understanding of God as a paternal figure, as seen in the Old Testament (e.g., Isaiah 63:16).

and our Lord Jesus
The inclusion of "our Lord Jesus" alongside God the Father underscores the early Christian belief in the divinity and lordship of Jesus Christ. This reflects the high Christology present in Paul's writings, affirming Jesus' role in the divine plan of salvation. The title "Lord" (Greek: Kyrios) was commonly used in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew name for God (YHWH), thus attributing divine status to Jesus. This phrase also highlights the unity and co-equality of the Father and the Son, a foundational doctrine in Christian theology.

direct our way to you
Paul expresses a desire for divine guidance in his journey to the Thessalonians, indicating reliance on God's providence. The word "direct" suggests making a path straight or removing obstacles, which implies trust in God's sovereignty over circumstances. This reflects the biblical theme of God guiding His people, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, where believers are encouraged to trust in the Lord for direction. Paul's longing to visit the Thessalonians also demonstrates the importance of fellowship and mutual encouragement within the early church, as personal presence was crucial for teaching and strengthening the faith community.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who authored the letter to the Thessalonians, expressing his desire to visit them again.

2. Thessalonica
A city in Macedonia where Paul established a church during his second missionary journey.

3. God the Father
The first person of the Trinity, invoked by Paul in his prayer for guidance.

4. Lord Jesus
The second person of the Trinity, alongside God the Father, in whom Paul places his trust for direction.

5. Thessalonian Church
The recipients of the letter, a young church facing persecution and needing encouragement.
Teaching Points
Dependence on Divine Guidance
Paul models a life of dependence on God for direction. As believers, we should seek God's guidance in our decisions, trusting that He will lead us according to His will.

Unity in the Trinity
The invocation of both God the Father and the Lord Jesus highlights the unity and cooperation within the Trinity. This serves as a reminder of the divine partnership in our spiritual journey.

Pastoral Care and Concern
Paul's desire to visit the Thessalonians reflects his deep pastoral care. We are called to nurture and support fellow believers, especially those facing trials.

Prayer as a Means of Seeking God's Will
Paul's prayer demonstrates the importance of prayer in discerning God's will. We should cultivate a habit of prayer, seeking God's direction in all aspects of life.

Longing for Christian Fellowship
The apostle's longing to be with the Thessalonians underscores the value of Christian fellowship. We should prioritize gathering with other believers for mutual encouragement and growth.(11) God himself and our Father.--Better, our God and Father Himself. If we are to find any special person with whom the word "Himself" is intended to enforce a contrast, the contrast is probably not so much with the baffled efforts of St. Paul, as with Satan, who had hindered the journey. But the word is probably added without such specific reference: "May God Himself direct us; for in that case who could hinder?"

And our Lord . . .--An important theological passage. From the use of the singular in the verb "direct" (which of course the English cannot express), some divines argue in favour of the Catholic doctrine of "homosion," or substantial unity of the Son with the Father: it must not, however, be too strongly pressed, or it might otherwise lead to the false notion of a personal unity between Them. Nevertheless, we may admit that the prayer (or, rather, wish) implies the equality of the two Persons, and that it would have been inconceivable for a Catholic Christian to have used the verb in the plural. (See 2Thessalonians 2:17.)

Verse 11. - Now God himself and our Father; or, as we would express it according to the English idiom, God himself, our Father, omitting the conjunction. And our Lord Jesus Christ. Some suppose that the three Divine Persons of the sacred Trinity are here expressly named: God the Holy Ghost, and the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ; but the words in the original will not bear this sense: "God himself and our Father" is the same Divine Person. Direct. It is to be observed that the verb "direct" is in the Greek in the singular, thus denoting a unity between God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. At all events, we have an express prayer directed to Christ, thus necessarily implying his Divine nature. Our way unto you.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

{may} our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

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

Father
Πατὴρ (Patēr)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

Himself,
Αὐτὸς (Autos)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

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

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

Lord
Κύριος (Kyrios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

Jesus,
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

direct
κατευθύναι (kateuthynai)
Verb - Aorist Optative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2720: (a) I make straight, (b) met: I put in the right way, direct. From kata and euthuno; to straighten fully, i.e. direct.

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

way
ὁδὸν (hodon)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3598: A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

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


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