1Th 3:12-13 | TNotes | STEP | 3:12 A characteristic of this church was their love for one another as members of God’s family (4:9 ; 2 Thes 1:3-4 ). Paul prays that their love will grow and overflow toward those outside the Christian community (cp. 1 Thes 5:15 ; Gal 6:10 ; 2 Tim 2:24 ; Titus 3:2 ) even in the face of persecution.

3:12 ^a A characteristic of this church was their love for one another as members of God’s family (4:9 ^b; 2 Thes 1:3-4 ^c). Paul prays that their love will grow and overflow toward those outside the Christian community (cp. 1 Thes 5:15 ^d; Gal 6:10 ^e; 2 Tim 2:24 ^f; Titus 3:2 ^g) even in the face of persecution.
3:13 ^h In the final part of this prayer (3:11-13 ⁱ), Paul prays that their hearts—their conduct and moral resolve (Matt 5:8 ^j; Acts 15:9 ^k; Heb 10:22 ^l)—might be strong, blameless, and holy.

• When Jesus comes, he will be accompanied by all his holy people, possibly a reference to angels (Deut 33:2 ^m; Ps 89:5 ⁿ, 7 ^o; Dan 4:13 ^p; 8:13 ^q; Matt 13:41 ^r; Mark 8:38 ^s; 13:26-27 ^t; 2 Thes 1:7 ^u).