1Th 3:11 | JFB | STEP | 11. Translate, " May God Himself, even our Father (there being but one article in the Greek, requires this translation, 'He who is at once God and our Father'), direct," &c. The "Himself" stands in contrast with "we" ( ); we desired to come but could not through Satan's hindrance; but if God Himself direct our way (as we pray), none can hinder Him ( ). It is a remarkable proof of the unity of the Father and Son, that in the Greek here, and in , the verb is singular, implying that the subject, the Father and Son, are but one in essential Being, not in mere unity of will. Almost all the chapters in both Epistles to the Thessalonians are sealed, each with its own prayer ( ) [BENGEL ]. Paul does not think the prosperous issue of a journey an unfit subject for prayer ( ) [EDMUNDS ]. His prayer, though the answer was deferred, in about five years afterwards was fulfilled in his return to Macedonia.

1 Thessalonians 3:11

11. Translate, "May God Himself, even our Father (there being but one article in the Greek, requires this translation, 'He who is at once God and our Father'), direct," &c. The "Himself" stands in contrast with "we" (1Th 2:18); we desired to come but could not through Satan's hindrance; but if God Himself direct our way (as we pray), none can hinder Him (2Th 2:16, 17). It is a remarkable proof of the unity of the Father and Son, that in the Greek here, and in 2Th 2:16, 17, the verb is singular, implying that the subject, the Father and Son, are but one in essential Being, not in mere unity of will. Almost all the chapters in both Epistles to the Thessalonians are sealed, each with its own prayer (1Th 5:23; 2Th 1:11; 2:16; 3:5, 16) [BENGEL]. Paul does not think the prosperous issue of a journey an unfit subject for prayer (Ro 1:10; 15:32) [EDMUNDS]. His prayer, though the answer was deferred, in about five years afterwards was fulfilled in his return to Macedonia.