1 Thessalonians 3:12and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you,
The setting
Corinth, Greece, ~51 AD. Paul prays that the Thessalonians' love will overflow like a river in flood season, reaching beyond their church walls to their persecutors.
The emotion here: hopeful determination despite being separated from those he loves
The original word
perisseuō (περισσεύω) — to overflow, have more than enough, exceed normal bounds
Why it matters
The Thessalonians were already famous throughout Macedonia for their love, yet Paul prays for even more
Read with care
What most readers miss in 1 Thessalonians 3:12
Paul prays for love toward 'all men' - including the very people persecuting them
Common misconceptionPeople think this is about feeling more love. Paul is praying for love that overflows into action, especially toward enemies and outsiders.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 1 Thessalonians 3:12
Bible Genome reading
1 Thessalonians 3:12 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
1 Thessalonians 3:12 comes from the book of 1 Thessalonians, written during the early_church period. These words are attributed to Paul. The dominant emotion in this verse is growing, with a comfort power of 60% and a tone that is tender. It belongs to the prayer genre of biblical literature. Key themes include love, growth. Notable phrases: increase and abound in love. This verse is a prayer.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same growing
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
— Proverbs 22:6
“So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
— Romans 10:17
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
— John 3:30
“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:2
“He believed in Yahweh; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness.”
— Genesis 15:6
Your reflection
What does 1 Thessalonians 3:12 mean to you, today?
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