1 Thessalonians 3 · Verse 10

1 Thessalonians 3:10

Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
1 Thessalonians 3:10, King James Version

1 Thessalonians 3:10 in other translations

BSBNight and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking from your faith.
WEBnight and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
ASVnight and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
YLTnight and day exceedingly beseeching, that we might see your face, and perfect the things lacking in your faith.
DARBYnight and day beseeching exceedingly to the end that we may see your face, and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
BBENight and day requesting God again and again that we may see your face and make your faith complete.
WebsterNight and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

What does 1 Thessalonians 3:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
10. Night and day--(See on 1Th 2:9). Night is the season for the saint's holiest meditations and prayers (2Ti 1:3). praying--connected with, "we joy"; we joy while we pray; or else as Alford, What thanks can we render to God while we pray? The Greek implies a beseeching request. exceedingly--literally, "more than exceeding abundantly" (compare Ep 3:20). that which is lacking--Even the Thessalonians had points in which they needed improvement [Bengel], (Lu 17:5). Their doctrinal views as to the nearness of Christ's coming, and as to the state of those who had fallen asleep, and their practice in some points, needed correction (1Th 4:1-9). Paul's method was to begin by commending what was praiseworthy, and then to correct what was amiss; a good pattern to all admonishers of others.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 10. Night and day. Constantly.

Praying exceeedingly. Gr., abundantly; that is, there was much more than ordinary prayer. He made this a special subject of prayer; he urged it with earnestness, and without intermission. Comp. 1Thes 2:17.

And might perfect that which is lacking in your faith. Might render it complete, or fill up anything which is wanting. The word here used, (καταρτισαι,) means, properly, to make fully ready, to put full in order, to make complete. Rom 9:22; 2Cor 13:9; Gal 6:1. It is rendered mending, Mt 4:21, Mk 1:19. Perfect and perfected. Mt 21:16, Lk 6:40, 2Cor 13:11, 1Thes 3:10, Heb 13:21, 1Pet 5:10. Fitted, Rom 9:22. Perfectly joined together, 1Cor 1:10. Restore, Gal 6:1. Prepared, Heb 10:5; and framed, Heb 11:3. It is not elsewhere used in the New Testament. The meaning here is, that whatever was deficient in their views of religious doctrine the apostle desired to Supply. It is to be remembered that he was with them but a comparatively short time before he was compelled to depart to Berea, and it is reasonable to suppose that there were many subjects on which he would be glad to have an opportunity to instruct them more fully.

(g) "perfect" 2Cor 13:9,11, Col 4:12 (&) "lacking in your faith" "wanting in your faith"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 10 Night and day praying exceedingly - Supplicating God at all times; mingling this with all my prayers; ὑπερεκπερισσου δεομενοι, abounding and superabounding in my entreaties to God to permit me to revisit you. How strong was his affection for this Church! Might perfect that which is lacking - That I might have the opportunity of giving you the fullest instructions in the doctrine of Christ, that ye might have every thing in the most ample detail; so that the great outlines of truth which you already know may be filled up, that ye may be perfectly fitted to every good word and work.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10

Thankfulness to God is very imperfect in the present state; but one great end of the ministry of the word is to help faith forward. That which was the instrument to obtain faith, is also the means of increasing and confirming it, namely, the ordinances of God; and as faith cometh by hearing, so it is confirmed by hearing also.

Read the full comment on 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 →

1 Thessalonians 3:10 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

νυκτὸςnuktosby nightG3571
καὶkaiandG2532
ἡμέραςhēmerasdayG2250
ὑπερεκπερισσοῦhuperekperissousuper overexcessivelyG5228
δεόμενοιdeomenoiimploringG1189
εἰςeisfor [us]G1519
τὸto<the>G3588
ἰδεῖνideinto seeG1492
ὑμῶνhumōnyourG4771
τὸto<the>G3588
πρόσωπονprosōponfaceG4383
καὶkaiandG2532
καταρτίσαιkatartisaito supplyG2675
τὰtathe [things]G3588
ὑστερήματαhusterēmatalackingG5303
τῆςtēsin theG3588
πίστεωςpisteōsfaithG4102
ὑμῶν;¶humōnof you?G4771

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 3:10

  • 2 Corinthians 13:9

    For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

  • Romans 1:10-12

    Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:11

    Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

  • Romans 15:30-32

    Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

  • Philippians 1:25

    And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

  • 2 Corinthians 1:24

    Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18

    But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

  • Acts 26:7

    Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:15

    And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:11

    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:

  • 2 Timothy 1:3

    I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

  • Colossians 4:12

    Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Night.
Lu 2:37; Ac 26:7; 2Ti 1:3; Re 4:8; 7:15
praying.
11; 2:17,18; Ro 1:10; 15:30-32; Phm 1:22
might perfect.
Ro 1:11,12; 2Co 1:15,24; 13:9,11; Php 1:25; Col 1:28; 4:12; 2Th 1:11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:9

    For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:10

    Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:11

    Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 3

1 Thessalonians 3:10 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Orando de noche y de día con grande instancia, que veamos vuestro rostro, y que cumplamos lo que falta á vuestra fe?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		priant nuit et jour très instamment, pour que nous voyions votre visage et que nous suppléions à ce qui manque à votre foi!
German
Elberfelder 1871		indem wir Nacht und Tag über die Maßen flehen, daß wir euer Angesicht sehen und vollenden mögen, was an eurem Glauben mangelt?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		nocte ac die abundantius orantes, ut videamus faciem vestram, et compleamus ea quæ desunt fidei vestræ?