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Selected Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:2 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
1Th 1:2	Strong Concordance	We give thanks [2168] to God [2316] always [3842] for [4012] you [5216] all [3956], making [4160] mention [3417] of you [5216] in [1909] our [2257] prayers [4335];
	King James	We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
(Rom 1:9; Ti2 1:3.) The structure of the sentences in this and the following verses, each successive sentence repeating with greater fulness the preceding, characteristically marks Paul's abounding love and thankfulness in respect to his converts, as if he were seeking by words heaped on words to convey some idea of his exuberant feelings towards them. We--I, Silvanus, and Timotheus. Rom 1:9 supports ALFORD in translating, "making mention of you in our prayers without ceasing" (Th1 1:3). Thus, "without ceasing," in the second clause, answers in parallelism to "always," in the first.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

(Rom 1:9; Ti2 1:3.) The structure of the sentences in this and the following verses, each successive sentence repeating with greater fulness the preceding, characteristically marks Paul's abounding love and thankfulness in respect to his converts, as if he were seeking by words heaped on words to convey some idea of his exuberant feelings towards them.

We--I, Silvanus, and Timotheus. Rom 1:9 supports ALFORD in translating, "making mention of you in our prayers without ceasing" (Th1 1:3). Thus, "without ceasing," in the second clause, answers in parallelism to "always," in the first.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
We give thanks to God always for you all - see the notes, Rom 1:9. Making mention of you in our prayers - See the notes at Eph 1:16. It may be observed here: (1) that the apostle was in the habit of constant prayer. (2) that he was accustomed to extemporary prayer, and not to written prayer. It is not credible that "forms" of prayer had been framed for the churches at Thessalonica and Ephesus, and the other churches for which Paul says he prayed, nor would it have been possible to have adapted such forms to the varying circumstances attending the organization of new churches.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
We give thanks (εὐχαριστοῦμεν) According to Paul's habit, a thanksgiving follows the salutation, commonly with the verb ἐυχαριστεῖν as here; but in 2nd Corinthians and Ephesians, εὐλογητὸς ὁ θεός blessed be God. The thanksgiving is omitted only in Galatians. The verb εὐχαριστεῖν occurs only in later Greek, and there but rarely. In lxx only in Apocr. See Judith 8:25; 2 Macc. 1:11; 10:7; 3 Macc. 7:16. In the N.T. Epistles, Po. Originally to do a good turn; hence, to return a favor. The meaning to give thanks is late. The kindred noun εὐχαριστία giving of thanks, is found often in Paul. As a designation of the Lord's Supper (Eucharist) it is not found in the N.T. Perhaps the earliest instance of its use in that sense is in Ignatius. See Philad. iv.; Smyrn. iv., viii.; Eph. viii., Comp. Just. Mart. Apol. i., 64, 65. In we give thanks, it is not easy to decide whether Paul uses we as plural, or in the sense of I. Rom 3:9 seems to be a clear case of the latter usage. In Th1 3:1, Th1 3:2, ηὐδοκήσαμεν we thought it good, and ἐπέμψαμεν we sent, can, apparently, refer only to Paul; and similarly, in Th1 3:6, πρὸς ἡμᾶς unto us, can hardly include Silvanus who came with Timothy (comp. Th1 3:5). But it is significant that, in the Epistles which are written in Paul's name alone (Romans, Galatians, Ephesians), only I is used, unless we except Gal 1:8, which is doubtful. Paul and Timothy appear jointly as correspondents in Philippians, but the first person predominates throughout the letter. The same is true of 1st Corinthians, where Paul and Sosthenes are associated in the address, but the singular pronoun is used almost throughout. (See Co1 4:10-13; Co1 9:4, Co1 9:5, Co1 9:25, Co1 9:26). In Colossians Paul and Timothy appear in the address. The plural prevails to Col 1:23, and alternates with the singular throughout the remainder. The alternations in 2nd Corinthians are very bewildering. On the whole, I think that occasional instances of the epistolary plural must be granted. It is not, however, Paul's habitual usage. We is often employed as in ordinary correspondence or argument, where the writer or speaker associates himself with his readers or hearers. Abundant illustrations of this may be seen in Romans 6 and 8; but in other cases, when Paul speaks in the plural, he usually associates his fellow-ministers, mentally, with himself. Making mention (μνείαν ποιούμενοι) For the phrase see Rom 1:9; Eph 1:16; Plm 1:4. Always in connection with prayer. In the sense of remember it appears in lxx, Job 14:13. In Psa 111:4, to make a memorial. See further, on without ceasing, Th1 1:3. In my prayers (ἐπὶ) When engaged in offering my prayers. Επὶ here blends the local with the temporal sense. Prayers (προσευχῶν) The more general term, and limited to prayer to God; while δέησις petitionary prayer, supplication, may be addressed to man. Paul alone associates the two words. See Phi 4:6; Eph 6:18. In classical Greek the word does not occur in the sense of prayer. It is found in later Greek, meaning a place for prayer, in which sense it appears in Act 16:13, Act 16:16. It signified either a synagogue, or an open praying-place outside of a city.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

We give thanks (εὐχαριστοῦμεν)

According to Paul's habit, a thanksgiving follows the salutation, commonly with the verb ἐυχαριστεῖν as here; but in 2nd Corinthians and Ephesians, εὐλογητὸς ὁ θεός blessed be God. The thanksgiving is omitted only in Galatians. The verb εὐχαριστεῖν occurs only in later Greek, and there but rarely. In lxx only in Apocr. See Judith 8:25; 2 Macc. 1:11; 10:7; 3 Macc. 7:16. In the N.T. Epistles, Po. Originally to do a good turn; hence, to return a favor. The meaning to give thanks is late. The kindred noun εὐχαριστία giving of thanks, is found often in Paul. As a designation of the Lord's Supper (Eucharist) it is not found in the N.T. Perhaps the earliest instance of its use in that sense is in Ignatius. See Philad. iv.; Smyrn. iv., viii.; Eph. viii., Comp. Just. Mart. Apol. i., 64, 65.

In we give thanks, it is not easy to decide whether Paul uses we as plural, or in the sense of I. Rom 3:9 seems to be a clear case of the latter usage. In Th1 3:1, Th1 3:2, ηὐδοκήσαμεν we thought it good, and ἐπέμψαμεν we sent, can, apparently, refer only to Paul; and similarly, in Th1 3:6, πρὸς ἡμᾶς unto us, can hardly include Silvanus who came with Timothy (comp. Th1 3:5). But it is significant that, in the Epistles which are written in Paul's name alone (Romans, Galatians, Ephesians), only I is used, unless we except Gal 1:8, which is doubtful. Paul and Timothy appear jointly as correspondents in Philippians, but the first person predominates throughout the letter. The same is true of 1st Corinthians, where Paul and Sosthenes are associated in the address, but the singular pronoun is used almost throughout. (See Co1 4:10-13; Co1 9:4, Co1 9:5, Co1 9:25, Co1 9:26). In Colossians Paul and Timothy appear in the address. The plural prevails to Col 1:23, and alternates with the singular throughout the remainder. The alternations in 2nd Corinthians are very bewildering.

On the whole, I think that occasional instances of the epistolary plural must be granted. It is not, however, Paul's habitual usage. We is often employed as in ordinary correspondence or argument, where the writer or speaker associates himself with his readers or hearers. Abundant illustrations of this may be seen in Romans 6 and 8; but in other cases, when Paul speaks in the plural, he usually associates his fellow-ministers, mentally, with himself.

Making mention (μνείαν ποιούμενοι)

For the phrase see Rom 1:9; Eph 1:16; Plm 1:4. Always in connection with prayer. In the sense of remember it appears in lxx, Job 14:13. In Psa 111:4, to make a memorial. See further, on without ceasing, Th1 1:3.

In my prayers (ἐπὶ)

When engaged in offering my prayers. Επὶ here blends the local with the temporal sense.

Prayers (προσευχῶν)

The more general term, and limited to prayer to God; while δέησις petitionary prayer, supplication, may be addressed to man. Paul alone associates the two words. See Phi 4:6; Eph 6:18. In classical Greek the word does not occur in the sense of prayer. It is found in later Greek, meaning a place for prayer, in which sense it appears in Act 16:13, Act 16:16. It signified either a synagogue, or an open praying-place outside of a city.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
We give thanks - See Phi 1:3, Phi 1:4, and Col 1:3; where the same forms of speech are used.

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³ Remembering [3421] without ceasing [89] your [5216] work [2041] of faith [4102], and [2532] labour [2873] of love [26], and [2532] patience [5281] of hope [1680] in our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], in the sight [1715] of God [2316] and [2532] our [2257] Father [3962];

⁹ For [1063] God [2316] is [2076] my [3450] witness [3144], whom [3739] I serve [3000] with [1722] my [3450] spirit [4151] in [1722] the gospel [2098] of his [846] Son [5207], that [5613] without ceasing [89] I make [4160] mention [3417] of you [5216] always [3842] in [1909] my [3450] prayers [4335];

³ I thank [2192] [5485] God [2316], whom [3739] I serve [3000] from [575] my forefathers [4269] with [1722] pure [2513] conscience [4893], that [5613] without ceasing [88] I have [2192] remembrance [3417] of [4012] thee [4675] in [1722] my [3450] prayers [1162] night [3571] and [2532] day [2250];

¹⁶ Cease [3973] not [3756] to give thanks [2168] for [5228] you [5216], making [4160] mention [3417] of you [5216] in [1909] my [3450] prayers [4335];

¹⁶ And [1161] it came to pass [1096], as we [2257] went [4198] to [1519] prayer [4335], a certain [5100] damsel [3814] possessed [2192] with a spirit [4151] of divination [4436] met [528] us [2254], which [3748] brought [3930] her [846] masters [2962] much [4183] gain [2039] by soothsaying [3132]:

¹³ And [5037] on the sabbath [4521] [2250] we went [1831] out of [1854] the city [4172] by [3844] a river side [4215], where [3757] prayer [4335] was wont [3543] to be made [1511]; and [2532] we sat down [2523], and spake [2980] unto the women [1135] which resorted [4905] thither.

¹⁸ Praying [4336] always [1722] [2540] [3956] with [1223] all [3956] prayer [4335] and [2532] supplication [1162] in [1722] the Spirit [4151], and [2532] watching [69] thereunto [1519] [5124] [846] with [1722] all [3956] perseverance [4343] and [2532] supplication [1162] for [4012] all [3956] saints [40];

⁶ Be careful [3309] for nothing [3367]; but [235] in [1722] every thing [3956] by prayer [4335] and [2532] supplication [1162] with [3326] thanksgiving [2169] let [1107] your [5216] requests [155] be made known [1107] unto [4314] God [2316].

⁴ He hath made [06213] his wonderful works [06381] to be remembered [02143]: the LORD [03068] is gracious [02587] and full of compassion [07349].

¹³ O that [05414] thou wouldest hide [06845] me in the grave [07585], that thou wouldest keep me secret [05641], until thy wrath [0639] be past [07725], that thou wouldest appoint [07896] me a set time [02706], and remember [02142] me!

⁴ I thank [2168] my [3450] God [2316], making [4160] mention [3417] of thee [4675] always [3842] in [1909] my [3450] prayers [4335],

¹⁶ Cease [3973] not [3756] to give thanks [2168] for [5228] you [5216], making [4160] mention [3417] of you [5216] in [1909] my [3450] prayers [4335];

²³ If [1489] ye continue [1961] in the faith [4102] grounded [2311] and [2532] settled [1476], and [2532] be not [3361] moved away [3334] from [575] the hope [1680] of the gospel [2098], which [3739] ye have heard [191], and which [3588] was preached [2784] to [1722] every [3956] creature [2937] which is under [5259] heaven [3772]; whereof [3739] I [1473] Paul [3972] am made [1096] a minister [1249];

²⁶ I [1473] therefore [5106] so [3779] run [5143], not [3756] as [5613] uncertainly [84]; so [3779] fight I [4438], not [3756] as [5613] one that beateth [1194] the air [109]:

²⁵ And [1161] every man [3956] that striveth for the mastery [75] is temperate [1467] in all things [3956]. [3303] Now [3767] they [1565] do it to [2443] obtain [2983] a corruptible [5349] crown [4735]; but [1161] we [2249] an incorruptible [862].

⁵ Have we [2192] not [3378] power [1849] to lead about [4013] a sister [79], a wife [1135], as well as [5613] [2532] other [3062] apostles [652], and [2532] as the brethren [80] of the Lord [2962], and [2532] Cephas [2786]?

⁴ Have we [2192] not [3378] power [1849] to eat [5315] and [2532] to drink [4095]?

¹⁰ We [2249] are fools [3474] for [1223] Christ's [5547] sake [1223], but [1161] ye [5210] are wise [5429] in [1722] Christ [5547]; we [2249] are weak [772], but [1161] ye [5210] are strong [2478]; ye [5210] are honourable [1741], but [1161] we [2249] are despised [820].
¹¹ Even [891] unto this present [737] hour [5610] we [3983] both [2532] hunger [3983], and [2532] thirst [1372], and [2532] are naked [1130], and [2532] are buffeted [2852], and [2532] have no certain dwellingplace [790];
¹² And [2532] labour [2872], working [2038] with our own [2398] hands [5495]: being reviled [3058], we bless [2127]; being persecuted [1377], we suffer it [430]:
¹³ Being defamed [987], we intreat [3870]: we are made [1096] as [5613] the filth [4027] of the world [2889], and are the offscouring [4067] of all things [3956] unto [2193] this day [737].

⁸ But [235] though [2532] [1437] we [2249], or [2228] an angel [32] from [1537] heaven [3772], preach any other gospel [2097] unto you [5213] than [3844] that which [3739] we have preached [2097] unto you [5213], let him be [2077] accursed [331].

⁵ For this [5124] cause [1223], when I [2504] could [4722] no longer [3371] forbear [4722], I sent [3992] to [1519] know [1097] your [5216] faith [4102], lest by some means [3381] [4458] the tempter [3985] have tempted [3985] you [5209], and [2532] our [2257] labour [2873] be [1096] in [1519] vain [2756].

⁶ But [1161] now [737] when Timotheus [5095] came [2064] from [575] you [5216] unto [4314] us [2248], and [2532] brought [2097] us [2254] good tidings [2097] of your [5216] faith [4102] and [2532] charity [26], and [2532] that [3754] ye have [2192] good [18] remembrance [3417] of us [2257] always [3842], desiring greatly [1971] to see [1492] us [2248], as [2509] we [2249] also [2532] to see you [5209]:

² And [2532] sent [3992] Timotheus [5095], our [2257] brother [80], and [2532] minister [1249] of God [2316], and [2532] our [2257] fellowlabourer [4904] in [1722] the gospel [2098] of Christ [5547], to [1519] establish [4741] you [5209], and [2532] to comfort [3870] you [5209] concerning [4012] your [5216] faith [4102]:

¹ Wherefore [1352] when we could [4722] no longer [3371] forbear [4722], we thought it good [2106] to be left [2641] at [1722] Athens [116] alone [3441];

⁹ What [5101] then [3767]? are we better [4284] than they? No [3756], in no wise [3843]: for [1063] we have before proved [4256] both [5037] Jews [2453] and [2532] Gentiles [1672], that they are [1511] all [3956] under [5259] sin [266];

³ We give thanks [2168] to God [2316] and [2532] the Father [3962] of our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], praying [4336] always [3842] for [4012] you [5216],

⁴ Always [3842] in [1722] every [3956] prayer [1162] of mine [3450] for [5228] you [5216] all [3956] making [4160] request [1162] with [3326] joy [5479],

³ I thank [2168] my [3450] God [2316] upon [1909] every [3956] remembrance [3417] of you [5216],