1 Thessalonians 3:12
New International Version
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

New Living Translation
And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.

English Standard Version
and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,

Berean Standard Bible
And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,

Berean Literal Bible
And may the Lord make you to increase and to abound in love toward one another, and toward all, just as also we toward you,

King James Bible
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

New King James Version
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,

New American Standard Bible
and may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

NASB 1995
and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

NASB 1977
and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also do for you;

Legacy Standard Bible
and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you,

Amplified Bible
And may the Lord cause you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

Christian Standard Bible
And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you.

American Standard Version
and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you;

Contemporary English Version
May the Lord make your love for each other and for everyone else grow by leaps and bounds. This is how our love for you has grown.

English Revised Version
and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We also pray that the Lord will greatly increase your love for each other and for everyone else, just as we love you.

Good News Translation
May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow more and more and become as great as our love for you.

International Standard Version
May the Lord greatly increase your love for each other and for all people, just as we love you.

Majority Standard Bible
And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,

NET Bible
And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you,

New Heart English Bible
and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, even as we also do toward you,

Webster's Bible Translation
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one towards another, and towards all men, even as we do towards you:

Weymouth New Testament
and as for you, may the Lord teach you to love one another and all men, with a growing and a glowing love, resembling our love for you.

World English Bible
May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all men, even as we also do toward you,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the LORD cause you to increase and to abound in the love to one another, and to all, even as we also to you,

Berean Literal Bible
And may the Lord make you to increase and to abound in love toward one another, and toward all, just as also we toward you,

Young's Literal Translation
and you the Lord cause to increase and to abound in the love to one another, and to all, even as we also to you,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the Lord increase you and make you to abound in love to one another, and to all, as also we to you:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in charity towards one another, and towards all men: as we do also towards you,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And may the Lord multiply you, and make you abound in your charity toward one another and toward all, just as we also do toward you,

New American Bible
and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you,

New Revised Standard Version
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And may the LORD increase and enrich your love toward one another and toward all men, even as we love you:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And may he multiply and increase your love one toward another, and that to every person, just as we love you,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love to one another and to all, even as we toward you,

Godbey New Testament
and the Lord fill you and cause you to superabound in divine love toward one another, and toward all, even as we also do towards you;

Haweis New Testament
And the Lord cause you to abound and overflow with love one to another, and towards all men, as we also do to you:

Mace New Testament
may the Lord make you increase and abound in mutual love, in love towards all men, as we do towards you:

Weymouth New Testament
and as for you, may the Lord teach you to love one another and all men, with a growing and a glowing love, resembling our love for you.

Worrell New Testament
and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love toward one another, and toward all, as we also do toward you,

Worsley New Testament
and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love to one another, and to all men, as we do towards you:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Timothy's Encouraging Report
11Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. 12And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows, 13so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.…

Cross References
1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Philippians 1:9
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

Colossians 3:14
And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

Ephesians 3:17-19
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, / will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth / of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Romans 13:8
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ...

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

2 Thessalonians 1:3
We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

1 Peter 1:22
Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.

Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. / And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

1 John 3:11
This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.

1 John 4:11
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.


Treasury of Scripture

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:10
And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

Psalm 115:4
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

Luke 17:5
And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

abound.

1 Thessalonians 4:9,10
But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another…

Philippians 1:9
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

2 Thessalonians 1:3
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

love.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Matthew 7:12
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Matthew 22:39
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

even.

1 Thessalonians 2:8
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

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1 Thessalonians 3
1. Paul testifies his great love to the Thessalonians,
5. partly by sending Timothy unto them to strengthen and comfort them;
7. partly by rejoicing in their well-doing;
10. and partly by praying for them, and desiring a safe coming unto them.














And may the Lord
This phrase emphasizes the divine source of the blessing Paul is invoking. The Greek word for "Lord" here is "Kyrios," which denotes authority and sovereignty. In the context of early Christianity, acknowledging Jesus as Lord was a profound declaration of faith, especially in a Roman world that demanded allegiance to Caesar. This invocation underscores the belief that true spiritual growth and love originate from God’s power and grace.

cause you to increase
The Greek word for "increase" is "pleonazō," which means to abound or to grow. This suggests not just a static state of being but a dynamic process of continual growth. In the historical context of the Thessalonian church, which faced persecution and challenges, this prayer for increase is a call for resilience and expansion in their spiritual lives, reflecting a faith that is alive and flourishing.

and overflow
The term "overflow" translates from the Greek "perisseuō," indicating an abundance that exceeds expectations. This imagery of overflowing is powerful, suggesting that love should not be contained or limited but should spill over, affecting all aspects of life and community. In a conservative Christian perspective, this reflects the transformative power of God’s love, which is meant to be shared generously and without reservation.

with love for one another
The Greek word for "love" here is "agapē," which is often described as selfless, sacrificial love. This is the love that Jesus exemplified and commanded His followers to practice. In the early church, this kind of love was radical and counter-cultural, as it called for unity and selflessness among believers, transcending social and ethnic boundaries.

and for everyone else
This phrase expands the scope of love beyond the immediate community of believers to include all people. The Thessalonian church, situated in a diverse and bustling city, was called to be a beacon of Christ’s love to all, regardless of background or belief. This universal call to love reflects the Great Commission and the inclusive nature of the Gospel.

just as our love for you overflows
Paul uses his own example of overflowing love as a model for the Thessalonians. His relationship with them was marked by deep affection and commitment, as seen throughout his letters. This personal testimony serves as a tangible example of how believers are to love one another, rooted in genuine care and concern, reflecting the love of Christ.

(12) And the Lord make you.--The word you in the Greek is emphatic and stands first. The wish in the previous verse concerned the writers:" But you (whether we come or not) may the Lord make," &c. By "the Lord" here St. Paul seems to mean not only the Son: the word appears to be an equivalent for the name of God.

Increase and abound.--These words make the readers think first of progress and then of the state to which the progress will bring them--"Multiply you in love until you have enough and to spare of it"--and the same progress is expressed by the objects of the swelling charity: "So that you may not only love one another abundantly, but all mankind--missionary efforts being the supreme work of Christian love--"such loving missionary work" (the writers go on to say) "as ours among you."

Verse 12. - And the Lord. By some referred to the First Person of the blessed Trinity, God our Father (Alford); by others to the Holy Ghost, as the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are afterwards both mentioned in the prayer; but it is to be referred, according to the prevailing usage in Paul's Epistle, to the Lord Jesus Christ. Make you; literally, you may the Lord make, putting the emphasis on" you." To increase and abound in love one toward another; toward your fellow-Christians. And toward all men; toward the human race in general. "This is the character of Divine love to comprehend all; whereas human love hath respect to one man and not to another" (Theophylact). Even as we do toward you; that is, as we abound in love toward you.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

{may} the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord
Κύριος (Kyrios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

cause you to increase
πλεονάσαι (pleonasai)
Verb - Aorist Optative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4121: From pleion; to do, make or be more, i.e. Increase; by extension, to superabound.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

overflow
περισσεύσαι (perisseusai)
Verb - Aorist Optative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4052: From perissos; to superabound, be in excess, be superfluous; also to cause to superabound or excel.

with love
ἀγάπῃ (agapē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 26: From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.

for
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

one another
ἀλλήλους (allēlous)
Personal / Reciprocal Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 240: One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

for
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

everyone [else],
πάντας (pantas)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

just as
καθάπερ (kathaper)
Adverb
Strong's 2509: Even as, just as. From katha and per; exactly as.

our
ἡμεῖς (hēmeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

[love]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

for
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

you [overflows],
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.


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NT Letters: 1 Thessalonians 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase (1 Thess. 1 Thes. 1Th iTh i Th)
1 Thessalonians 3:11
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