1 Thessalonians 3 · Verse 8

1 Thessalonians 3:8

For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 3:8, King James Version

1 Thessalonians 3:8 in other translations

BSBFor now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord.
WEBFor now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
ASVfor now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
YLTbecause now we live, if ye may stand fast in the Lord;
DARBYbecause now we live if ye stand firm in the Lord.
BBEFor it is life to us if you keep your faith in the Lord unchanged.
WebsterFor now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

What does 1 Thessalonians 3:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
8. now--as the case is; seeing ye stand fast. we live--we flourish. It revives us in our affliction to hear of your steadfastness (Psa 22:26; 2Jo 3:4). if--implying that the vivid joy which the missionaries "now" feel, will continue if the Thessalonians continue steadfast. They still needed exhortation, 1Th 3:10; therefore he subjoins the conditional clause, "if ye," &c. (Php 4:1).

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 8. For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. This is equivalent to saying, "My life and comfort depend on your stability in the faith, and your correct Christian walk." Comp. Martial vi. 70. Non est vivere, sed valere, vita--" Life consists not merely in living, but in the enjoyment of health." See, also, Seneca, Epis. 99, and Manilius, iv. 5, as quoted by Wetstein. The meaning here is, that Paul now enjoyed life; he had that which constituted real life, in the fact that they acted as became Christians, and so as to show that his labour among them had not been in vain. The same thing here affirmed is true of all faithful ministers of the gospel. They feel that they have something that may be called life, and that is worth living for, when those to whom they preach maintain a close walk with God.

(f) "fast" Eph 6:13,14, Php 4:1

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 8 For now we live - Your steadfastness in the faith gives me new life and comfort; I now feel that I live to some purpose, as my labor in the Lord is not in vain.

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 3:8 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.

ὅτιhotiForG3754
νῦνnunnowG3568
ζῶμεν,zōmenwe live,G2198
ἐὰνeanifG1437
ὑμεῖςhumeisyou yourselvesG4771
στήκετεstēketeare standing firmG4739
ἐνeninG1722
κυρίῳ.kuriō[the] Lord.G2962

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

Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 3:8

  • 1 Corinthians 16:13

    Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

  • Colossians 1:23

    If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

  • Revelation 3:11

    Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

  • Hebrews 4:14

    Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

  • Hebrews 10:23

    Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

  • Philippians 1:21

    For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

  • Ephesians 3:17

    That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

  • Revelation 3:3

    Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

  • Acts 11:23

    Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

  • Hebrews 3:14

    For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

  • Psalms 30:5

    For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

  • 1 Peter 5:10

    But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
we live.
1Sa 25:6; *Heb:
Ps 30:5; Php 1:21
if.
Joh 8:31; 15:4,7; Ac 11:23; 1Co 15:58; 16:13; Ga 5:1; Eph 3:17
Eph 4:15,16; 6:13,14; Php 1:27; 4:1; Col 1:23; Heb 3:14; 4:14; 10:23
1Pe 5:10; 2Pe 3:17; Re 3:3,11

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

Context

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:7

    Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:8

    For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

  • 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;

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 3

1 Thessalonians 3:8 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Porque ahora vivimos, si vosotros estáis firmes en el Señor.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
car maintenant nous vivons, si vous tenez fermes dans le Seigneur.
German
Elberfelder 1871
denn jetzt leben wir, wenn ihr feststehet im Herrn.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
quoniam nunc vivimus, si vos statis in Domino.