Bible Study - I Thessalonians 3
S – And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
1 Thessalonians 3:12–13 ESV
O – Commentary:
The Thessalonians needed strengthening by God in their inner beings. The word strengthen (stērizai), used by Paul in verse 2, describes Timothy's strengthening of the Thessalonians in their faith. Paul did not pray that they would be sinless; that was impossible. He prayed that they would be blameless (cf. 2:10), that is, that after they sinned they would deal with it as God requires and so be free from any reasonable charge by their fellowmen. Before God they should be holy, separated to God in their hearts and habits. Paul longed that when Jesus Christ would return He would find them blameless before men and holy before God.
Thomas L. Constable, "1 Thessalonians," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 700.
A – Look at the progression in Paul's prayer. It starts with love. Love that grows. Love that overflows to each other and to everyone around us. Then comes the "so that." Love is what God uses to strengthen our hearts and give us a solid foundation.
Here's the honest truth. We're going to sin. Paul knew that. He didn't pray that we'd be perfect. He prayed that we'd be blameless. What's the difference? Blameless means when we blow it, we deal with it God's way. We confess it. We receive forgiveness through the blood of Jesus. We make it right with the people we've hurt. Nobody gets to hold it over us, because it's been handled.
And as we walk that way, we grow in holiness. We're set apart for God in our hearts, our habits, our minds, and our lives. Not overnight. Day by day.
This is a prayer you can pray over yourself today. Over your family. Over your church. Lord, grow our love. Strengthen our hearts. Make us blameless and holy. The result? A life that's growing in God for real.
R – Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us first. Your love draws us close and invites us to grow in our relationship with you. Make our love for each other increase and overflow. Strengthen our hearts. We receive your mercy and grace, and we put our faith in you. When we fall short, help us deal with it your way. We want to be blameless and growing in holiness, ready for the day Jesus returns. You are a good Father, and we're grateful to be your children. In Jesus' name, Amen.
