Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Thessalonians 3:12

"and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also [do] toward you;" — 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (ASV)

Paul’s second petition pertains to “what is lacking” in their faith (cf. v.10), specifically the outworking of that faith in a growing “love.” Since “Lord” refers to Jesus in vv.11, 13 and likewise in all Paul’s writings for the most part, it is best interpreted in this way here. Paul seeks the “increase” (GK 4429) and “overflow” (GK 4355) of the Thessalonians’ love. Combined, these two words mean “increase to overflowing.” Paul prays this not because they lacked love (4:9–10a), but because Christians must continually increase in selfless devotion to others.

In line with the consistent NT emphasis, the prime objects of love are fellow Christians (“each other”; cf. Jn 13:34-35; Romans 13:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1Jn 3:11, 23). But love also reaches beyond the circle of Christians to all other people (“everyone else”). Jesus warned against a narrow conception of one’s “neighbor” (Matthew 5:43–48; cf. Matthew 19:19; Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31). Paul dares to set himself up as a standard of love to be emulated, a step he could take only because of his imitation of Jesus , who is the ultimate standard (15:12).