12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,
12 And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you.
12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,
12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 3:12
Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
(Read 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13)
Prayer is religious worship, and all religious worship is due unto God only. Prayer is to be offered to God as our Father. Prayer is not only to be offered in the name of Christ, but offered up to Christ himself, as our Lord and our Saviour. Let us acknowledge God in all our ways, and he will direct our paths. Mutual love is required of all Christians. And love is of God, and is fulfilling the gospel as well as the law. We need the Spirit's influences in order to our growth in grace; and the way to obtain them, is prayer. Holiness is required of all who would go to heaven; and we must act so that we do not contradict the profession we make of holiness. The Lord Jesus will certainly come in his glory; his saints will come with him. Then the excellence as well as the necessity of holiness will appear; and without this no hearts shall be established at that day, nor shall any avoid condemnation.