Devine Scripture

1 Thessalonians 4:10

What does 1 Thessalonians 4:10 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 4:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Thessalonians 4:10 means

Their love is not narrow but extends to “all the brethren” throughout Macedonia. Paul honors this breadth while still urging them to increase. In the Christian life, prior obedience becomes the platform for further growth. Love can always widen and deepen—becoming more patient, sacrificial, and steadfast. Paul’s “we exhort you” keeps encouragement and exhortation together: grace recognized does not cancel the call to excel. The church’s regional impact shows that love travels; yet it must also be maintained at home. Abounding more and more keeps the community from complacency and positions them to meet new needs faithfully.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for indeed ye do it toward all the brethren that are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brethren, that ye abound more and more;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for indeed ye do it toward all the brethren that are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brethren, that ye abound more and more;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And, truly, you are lovers of all the brothers in Macedonia; but it is our desire that your love may be increased still more;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for ye do it also to all the brethren who <FI>are<Fi> in all Macedonia; and we call upon you, brethren, to abound still more,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For indeed you do it towards all the brethren in all Macedonia. But we entreat you, brethren, that you abound more:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For also ye do this towards all the brethren in the whole of Macedonia; but we exhort you, brethren, to abound still more,

Context

Building on verse 9’s commendation, verse 10 affirms the scope of their love and presses them to go further. The next step (v. 11) specifies how this love shows in daily life: living quietly, minding one’s affairs, and diligent work. This pragmatic counsel ties love to conduct that benefits the community and its witness. Verse 12 will explain the outward-facing purpose: to walk properly before outsiders and avoid neediness. After completing these ethical exhortations, Paul will change topics to address confusion and grief regarding deceased believers (vv. 13–18).

v.9But 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;

v.10This passage

v.11and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we charged you;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Philemon 1:5

    hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:1

    Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk,—that ye abound more and more.

  • 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;

  • Ephesians 1:15

    For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which ye show toward all the saints,

  • Colossians 1:4

    having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have toward all the saints,

  • 2 Corinthians 8:8

    I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

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