1 Thessalonians 3:9

Text (1 Thessalonians 3:9)

9 For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our Godi

Translation and Paraphrase

9.

For what kind of thanks can we (possibly) repay to God (that would truly show our feelings) about you? For (such thanks would have to be great enough to include all the joy in which we rejoice on account of you (as we pray) before our God;

Notes (1 Thessalonians 3:9)

1.

This verse all boils down to a simple question: How can we ever be thankful enough for you?

2.

The question begun here in 1 Thessalonians 3:9 extends on through the tenth verse, where it is extended into a description of how Paul prayed long and hard for them. To make the question more apparent in our paraphrase, we have inserted the question mark into the ninth verse, and made a separate sentence out of the last half of verse nine and all of verse ten.

3.

Paul felt like he should repay or recompense back to God sufficient thanks to show how grateful he was for the Thessalonians. Paul found this to be impossible, for he was too thankful for the Thessalonians to express it.

4.

The expression, joy wherewith we joy, is rather a Hebrew way of expressing tremendous, superlative joy.