1 Thessalonians 3:12
What does 1 Thessalonians 3:12 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 3:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Thessalonians 3:12 means
Paul prays that the Lord would cause their love to overflow for one another and for all people, mirroring the love that Paul and his companions have shown them. Love within the church is vital, but it must not be insular; it reaches “toward all men,” including outsiders and even opponents. Abounding love is God’s work in them, not merely human effort. Such love is the atmosphere in which faith matures, conflicts heal, and witness becomes attractive. Paul does not settle for adequacy; he seeks increase and abundance, knowing that love is both the fulfillment of God’s commands and the clearest evidence that the gospel is alive among a people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the Lord give you increase of love in fullest measure to one another and to all men, even as our love to you;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and you the Lord cause to increase and to abound in the love to one another, and to all, even as we also to you,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And may the Lord multiply you and make you abound in charity towards one another and towards all men: as we do also towards you,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But you, may the Lord make to exceed and abound in love toward one another, and toward all, even as we also towards you,
Context
Following the request for God to direct his way (verse 11), Paul turns to the Thessalonians’ growth in virtue. Verse 12 emphasizes expansive love, first among believers, then beyond. This love is the relational soil from which the holiness of verse 13 grows. The flow shows that logistics (verse 11) serve spiritual ends: reunion aims at deeper love, which prepares for the final goal of established holiness at Christ’s coming (verse 13).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:9
But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another;
- Philippians 1:9
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;
- James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.
- Romans 13:8
Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.
- 1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God.
- Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.
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