1 Thessalonians 3

      6-8. Now when Timothy came. Timothy came to him at Corinth ( Acts 17:15 ) and brought an excellent report of the young and persecuted church. 7. We were comforted. The good tidings of the faithfulness of the saints filled him with joy. 8. For now we live, if, etc. How tender his affection for them if he could say that good news from them filled him with new life!

      9-13. What thanks can we render? How can we be thankful enough? 10. Night and day praying. An expression of his intense longing to see again a band of young converts so tenderly endeared to him. And might perfect that which is lacking. Instruct them more fully in knowledge and duty. So recently heathen, they needed a wise teacher very much. 11. Now God himself. An appeal that he may be permitted to return to them. The prayer was granted in due time ( Acts 20:1 Acts 20:2 ), though not for three or four years. 12. The Lord make you to increase. Whether he may come or not, his prayer is for their increase in love, the greatest of all graces. 13. To the end he may stablish your hearts. Love shed abroad in their hearts would have this effect, and fit them for every duty and trial. He that loveth supremely fulfill the whole law.