May the Lord make your love increase
1 Thessalonians 3:12 - Paul’s overflowing love calls to mind the love of Christ for His church, and the transforming power of sacrificial love on the world.
“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.”
1 Thessalonians 3:12 NIV
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The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians is considered by Biblical scholars to be one of the first of his epistles, written by the end of 52 AD — a scant 19 to 22 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. The Acts of the Apostles refers to Paul preaching in a Jewish synagogue in Thessaloniki and converting Jews to Christianity, but Paul himself describes in this letter turning people away from idols and towards Jesus, so it’s obvious that he was converting Gentiles as well.
Chapter 3 of the letter is concerned with Timothy’s missionary visit to Thessaloniki and mentions how faithful and loving Timothy found the Christians of the city: “But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.” (1 Thessalonians 3:6 NIV).
But Paul realizes that the members of this early church need something more than just a visit from a disciple like Timothy — they require apostolic guidance, and he prays that he might someday be able to visit the Thessalonians again in order to provide the necessary instruction and encouragement. Today’s Christians, of course, don’t get personal visits from the twelve apostles of Christ. However, we do have access to their teachings in the New Testament.
Finishing up his blessing to the Thessalonians, Paul writes the words of today’s verse. He begins with a request that God “make your love increase and overflow”, emphasizing that the Lord is the source of love, and through His power that love can increase and overflow, like water spilling from a full reservoir. Overflowing not only suggests an abundance of love, but generously sharing that love with others as Jesus commanded in John 13:34-35. God’s grace is also frequently described in the Bible as being both abundant and overflowing (Romans 5:20)
The next part of the verse, “for each other and for everyone else”, focuses first on the love within the early Christian community. Mutual love for each other was absolutely necessary, as the early church faced persecution from outside and internal disagreements within. But the scope of love isn’t just within the church of Thessaloniki, it’s also “for everyone else”. That includes one’s neighbor (“Love your neighbor as yourself” - Mark 12:31) and even those who hate and persecute you (“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” - Matthew 5:44).
Paul ends this verse with the words “just as ours does for you”, citing his personal love for the church in Thessaloniki as an example. Paul had a tremendous affection for this church, and was concerned for their well-being. He worked hard to support the church and his ministry there, and wanted his personal example of self-sacrifice for others to be emulated by the Thessalonians. Paul’s overflowing love calls to mind the love of Christ for His church, and the transforming power of sacrificial love on the world.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Father in Heaven, I thank You for the Scriptures, the truths found within them, and the lessons I can learn from them. Guide me in exploring Your truth, and help me to grow in overflowing love towards both my brothers and sisters in Christ and the rest of the world as well. I pray this in Jesus’ name, AMEN.