Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? New Living Translation How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. English Standard Version For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, Berean Standard Bible How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence? Berean Literal Bible For what thanksgiving are we able to give to God concerning you in return for all the joy that we rejoice before our God because of you, King James Bible For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; New King James Version For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, New American Standard Bible For what thanks can we give to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice because of you before our God, NASB 1995 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, NASB 1977 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, Legacy Standard Bible For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God because of you, Amplified Bible For what [adequate] thanks can we offer to God for you in return for all the joy and delight we have before our God on your account? Christian Standard Bible How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you, Holman Christian Standard Bible How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you, American Standard Version For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Contemporary English Version How can we possibly thank God enough for all the happiness you have brought us? English Revised Version For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; GOD'S WORD® Translation We can never thank God enough for all the joy you give us as we rejoice in God's presence. Good News Translation Now we can give thanks to our God for you. We thank him for the joy we have in his presence because of you. International Standard Version How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we have in God's presence because of you? NET Bible For how can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel because of you before our God? New Heart English Bible For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God; Webster's Bible Translation For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God; Weymouth New Testament For what thanksgiving on your behalf can we possibly offer to God in return for all the joy which fills our souls before our God for you, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHow can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence? World English Bible For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionFor what thanks are we able to repay to God for you, for all the joy with which we delight because of you in the presence of our God, Berean Literal Bible For what thanksgiving are we able to give to God concerning you in return for all the joy that we rejoice before our God because of you, Young's Literal Translation for what thanks are we able to recompense to God for you, for all the joy with which we do joy because of you in the presence of our God? Smith's Literal Translation For what thankfulness can we return to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for you before our God; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor what thanks can we return to God for you, in all the joy wherewith we rejoice for you before our God, Catholic Public Domain Version For what thanks would we be able to repay to God because of you, for all the joy with which we rejoice over you before our God? New American Bible What thanksgiving, then, can we render to God for you, for all the joy we feel on your account before our God? New Revised Standard Version How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhat thanks can we offer to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes, Aramaic Bible in Plain English For what thanks can we pay on your behalf to God, for every joy with which we rejoice because of you, NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor what thanks can we render to God for you, for the great joy with which we rejoice on your account before our God, Godbey New Testament For what thanks are we able to render unto God in your behalf, for all the joy with which we rejoice on account of you before our God; Haweis New Testament For what sufficient thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice on your account before our God, Mace New Testament how can I be sufficiently thankful to God upon your account, for all the joy, which by your means we have been affected with, Weymouth New Testament For what thanksgiving on your behalf can we possibly offer to God in return for all the joy which fills our souls before our God for you, Worrell New Testament For what thanksgiving can we render again to God concerning you for all the joy wherewith we rejoice on your account before our God; Worsley New Testament For what thanks can we render to God concerning you, for all the joy wherewith we rejoice on your account before our God, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Timothy's Encouraging Report…8For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How 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.… Cross References Philippians 1:3-5 I thank my God every time I remember you. / In every prayer for all of you, I always pray with joy, / because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! Colossians 1:3-4 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, / because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints— Ephesians 1:15-16 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, Romans 1:8-9 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world. / God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing. Philemon 1:4-5 I always thank my God, remembering you in my prayers, / because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. 1 Corinthians 1:4 I always thank my God for you because of the grace He has given you in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. 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. Psalm 116:12 How can I repay the LORD for all His goodness to me? Psalm 103:1-2 Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name. / Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds— Psalm 30:12 that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks forever. Psalm 9:1-2 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A Psalm of David. I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will recount all Your wonders. / I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. Psalm 107:21-22 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men. / Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare His works with rejoicing. Treasury of Scripture For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy with which we joy for your sakes before our God; what. 1 Thessalonians 1:2,3 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; … 2 Samuel 7:18-20 Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? … Nehemiah 9:5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. for. 1 Thessalonians 3:7,8 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: … See on ch. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 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? before. Deuteronomy 12:2,18 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: … Deuteronomy 16:11 And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there. 2 Samuel 6:21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. Jump to Previous Able Account Behalf Enough Feel Fills Glad Great Joy Offer Possibly Praise Presence Recompense Rejoice Render Sake Sakes Souls Thank Thanks Thanksgiving WherewithJump to Next Able Account Behalf Enough Feel Fills Glad Great Joy Offer Possibly Praise Presence Recompense Rejoice Render Sake Sakes Souls Thank Thanks Thanksgiving Wherewith1 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. How can we adequately thank God for you Paul expresses a deep sense of gratitude towards the Thessalonian believers. This phrase highlights the importance of thanksgiving in the Christian life, a theme prevalent throughout Paul's letters (e.g., Philippians 1:3, Colossians 1:3). The rhetorical question underscores the inadequacy of human efforts to fully express gratitude for God's work in others. It reflects the communal nature of early Christian communities, where mutual support and thanksgiving were vital. in return for our great joy over you in His presence? Persons / Places / Events 1. PaulThe apostle who wrote the letter to the Thessalonians. He expresses deep gratitude and joy for the Thessalonian believers. 2. Thessalonians The recipients of the letter, a group of Christians in Thessalonica who are known for their faith and perseverance. 3. God The ultimate recipient of thanksgiving, as Paul acknowledges that the joy he experiences is in God's presence. 4. Timothy Although not mentioned in this specific verse, Timothy's report about the Thessalonians' faith and love prompted Paul's expression of joy and gratitude. 5. Thessalonica A city in Macedonia where the church was established during Paul's second missionary journey. Teaching Points The Importance of GratitudePaul models a heart of gratitude, teaching us to regularly thank God for the people He places in our lives and the joy they bring. Joy in God's Presence True joy is found in God's presence, and our relationships with fellow believers should lead us to worship and thank God. The Role of Community The Thessalonians' faith and love brought Paul great joy, highlighting the importance of Christian community in encouraging and uplifting one another. Expressing Thanksgiving Like Paul, we should not only feel gratitude but also express it, both to God and to those who impact our lives positively. Reflecting on God's Work Recognize and celebrate the work God is doing in the lives of others, which in turn strengthens our own faith and joy. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Thessalonians 3:9?2. How can we express gratitude to God for others, as in 1 Thessalonians 3:9? 3. What does 1 Thessalonians 3:9 teach about joy in Christian relationships? 4. How does 1 Thessalonians 3:9 connect to Philippians 1:3-5 about thankfulness? 5. In what ways can we increase our prayer life for fellow believers? 6. How can we cultivate joy in our church community, reflecting 1 Thessalonians 3:9? 7. How does 1 Thessalonians 3:9 reflect Paul's gratitude towards the Thessalonians? 8. What historical context influenced Paul's message in 1 Thessalonians 3:9? 9. How does 1 Thessalonians 3:9 challenge modern expressions of gratitude in faith? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Thessalonians 3? 11. How can one effectively communicate with God? 12. What are the signs of saving faith? 13. What defines a joyful noise? 14. What defines Christian behavior? What Does 1 Thessalonians 3:9 Mean How can we adequately thank God...Paul opens with a question that underlines the limits of human gratitude when faced with God’s abundant work. He is not doubting whether to give thanks; he is marveling at how any words could measure up (compare 2 Corinthians 9:15; Psalm 116:12). Just as David overflowed with praise after seeing God’s deliverance, Paul feels compelled to pour out thanksgiving that matches the greatness of what God has accomplished among the Thessalonians. ...for you... The object of thanksgiving is people, not things. Paul treasures the believers themselves—evidence that God’s grace is personal and relational (Philippians 1:3–5; Romans 1:8). • Their faith is “standing firm” (1 Thessalonians 3:8). • Their love for one another is growing (1 Thessalonians 4:9–10). • Their witness has rippled outward (1 Thessalonians 1:8). Every progress in their lives is a reminder that the Lord finishes what He starts (Philippians 1:6). ...in return for our great joy... Paul sees gratitude as the fitting “exchange” for the joy God has given him. When God gladdens the heart, praise is the proper currency to give back (Psalm 45:7; Nehemiah 8:10). The joy here is not a private thrill; it is the settled delight that springs from watching spiritual children thrive (1 Thessalonians 2:19–20; 3 John 4). • Joy rises when faith survives trials (James 1:2–4). • Joy confirms the Spirit’s fruit in a believer’s life (Galatians 5:22). Therefore, the more Paul rejoices, the more he feels compelled to thank God. ...over you... “Over you” narrows the focus: their steadfastness is the very reason for celebration. This echoes Jesus’ parables, where heaven rejoices “over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:7, 10). Paul’s letter has already said they are his “crown of boasting” (1 Thessalonians 2:19). The joy is: • Specific—rooted in real lives. • Shared—others in the missionary team feel it too (Acts 15:36). • Contagious—sparking worship in every church that hears their story (2 Corinthians 8:1–2). ...in His presence All of this thanksgiving and joy unfolds “before our God.” Paul lives consciously under the gaze of the Lord (Psalm 16:11; Hebrews 4:13). Worship is not a performance for people but an offering before the throne (Hebrews 10:19–22). • God’s presence authenticates their joy—He sees and approves it (Zephaniah 3:17). • God’s presence purifies their motives—self-congratulation cannot survive there (Isaiah 42:8). • God’s presence is the goal toward which Paul is leading the church, so that they will be “blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 3:13). summary Paul’s question in 1 Thessalonians 3:9 is a heartfelt confession: no human thanks can match the joy God has produced through the Thessalonian believers. Their faith, love, and endurance spark a celebration that belongs first and foremost in God’s presence. Genuine gratitude, specific affection, overflowing joy, and worship under the Lord’s eye—all weave together to show what the verse means and how it calls every believer to respond when they witness God’s remarkable work in others. (9) For what thanks can we render.--An apology for the enthusiastic expressions used in the three foregoing verses. "I may call it a gospel, a balm for all anxieties, a new life, for what mode of thanksgiving could be deemed extravagant in such a case of joy?"Before our God.--As in 1Thessalonians 1:3, the occasion on which the joy and thankfulness bursts out is "in prayer;" perhaps, in connection with thanksgiving, especially at the great Eucharistic Thanksgiving (1Corinthians 14:16), when he "stood before the Lord in a special manner (Acts 13:2; comp. Leviticus 1:3; Leviticus 1:11; Leviticus 3:1, et al). . . . Verse 9. - For; assigning the reason of the declaration, "now we live." What thanks can we render to God again for you. As their steadfastness in the faith was owing to God's grace, thanks was to be rendered to God on their behalf. For all the joy; joy in all its fullness (comp. James 1:2, "Count it all joy"). Wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God. Giving prominence to the purity of their joy.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek HowΤίνα (Tina) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. can we δυνάμεθα (dynametha) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. [adequately] thank εὐχαριστίαν (eucharistian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 2169: Thankfulness, gratitude; giving of thanks, thanksgiving. From eucharistos; gratitude; actively, grateful language. God Θεῷ (Theō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. for περὶ (peri) Preposition Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time. you ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. in return for ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at. our great joy χαίρομεν (chairomen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural Strong's 5463: A primary verb; to be 'cheer'ful, i.e. Calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation, be well. over δι’ (di’) Preposition Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. you ὑμᾶς (hymas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. in [His] presence? ἔμπροσθεν (emprosthen) Preposition Strong's 1715: From en and pros; in front of (literally or figuratively) or time). Links 1 Thessalonians 3:9 NIV1 Thessalonians 3:9 NLT 1 Thessalonians 3:9 ESV 1 Thessalonians 3:9 NASB 1 Thessalonians 3:9 KJV 1 Thessalonians 3:9 BibleApps.com 1 Thessalonians 3:9 Biblia Paralela 1 Thessalonians 3:9 Chinese Bible 1 Thessalonians 3:9 French Bible 1 Thessalonians 3:9 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 1 Thessalonians 3:9 For what thanksgiving can we render again (1 Thess. 1 Thes. 1Th iTh i Th) |
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