2 Thessalonians 1:3
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' growing faith and abounding love uses the language of organic growth ('hyperauxanei,' increasing greatly and 'pleonazei,' multiplying) to describe their spiritual development. The unusual compound 'hyperauxanei' (literally 'growing greatly beyond') conveys superabundance rather than mere adequate progress — Paul is describing faith that exceeds the norm, not merely meets it. The connection between faith-growth and persecution (verse 4: 'your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure') provides context: their remarkable development has occurred within, not despite, tribulation. Romans 5:3-4's 'tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope' and James 1:3-4's testing producing patience and perfect work develop the same theology of adversity as the accelerator of genuine spiritual formation.
Other Translations
We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, even as it is meet, for that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth;
We ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because increase greatly doth your faith, and abound doth the love of each one of you all, to one another;
It is right for us to give praise to God at all times for you, brothers, because of the great increase of your faith, and the wealth of your love for one another;
Cross References
The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they …
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive …
And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, …
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole …