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Selected Verse: 1 Thessalonians 3:11 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
1Th 3:11 |
King James |
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
Translate, "May God Himself, even our Father (there being but one article in the Greek, requires this translation, 'He who is at once God and our Father'), direct," &c. The "Himself" stands in contrast with "we" (Th1 2:18); we desired to come but could not through Satan's hindrance; but if God Himself direct our way (as we pray), none can hinder Him (Th2 2:16-17). It is a remarkable proof of the unity of the Father and Son, that in the Greek here, and in Th2 2:16-17, the verb is singular, implying that the subject, the Father and Son, are but one in essential Being, not in mere unity of will. Almost all the chapters in both Epistles to the Thessalonians are sealed, each with its own prayer (Th1 5:23; Th2 1:11; Th2 2:16; Th2 3:5, Th2 3:16) [BENGEL]. Paul does not think the prosperous issue of a journey an unfit subject for prayer (Rom 1:10; Rom 15:32) [EDMUNDS]. His prayer, though the answer was deferred, in about five years afterwards was fulfilled in his return to Macedonia. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Now God himself - This is evidently a prayer. He earnestly sought of God that he might be permitted to visit them, and that he would so prepare the way that he might do it.
And our Father - Even our Father. The reference is particularly to the "Father," the First Person of the Trinity. It does not refer to the divine nature in general, or to God as such, but to God as the Father of the Lord Jesus. It is a distinct prayer offered to him that he would direct his way to them. It is right therefore to offer prayer to God as the First Person of the Trinity.
And our Lord Jesus Christ - This also is a prayer, as much as the former was, for it can be understood in no other way. What can be its meaning, unless the apostle believed that the Lord Jesus had power to direct his way to them, and that it was proper for him to express this wish to him; that is, to pray to him? If this be so, then it is right to pray to the Lord Jesus, or to worship him; see the Joh 20:28 note; Act 1:24 note. Would Paul have prayed to an angel to direct his way to the church at Thessalonica?
Direct our way unto you - Margin, "guide." The Greek word - κατευθύνω kateuthunō - means, to guide straight toward or upon anything. It is rendered "guide," in Luk 1:79, and "direct" here and in Th2 3:5. It does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. The idea is that or conducting one straight to a place, and not by a round-about course. Here the petition is, that God would remove all obstacles so that he could come directly to them. |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Direct (κατεύθυναι)
Lit. make straight. Only in Paul and Luke. See on Luk 1:79, and comp. Th2 3:5. Frequent in lxx. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
Direct our way - This prayer is addressed to Christ, as well as to the Father. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Now God himself and our Father - That is: God who is our Father, who has adopted us into the heavenly family, and called us his sons and daughters.
Direct our way - As he was employed in God's work he dared not consult his own inclinations, he looked for continual directions from God, where, when, and how to do his Master's work. |
32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.