1 THESSALONIANS 3:9 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;”
For what thanksgiving can we render to God for you, in return for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God — the gratitude is infinite, overflowing; there is no proportional return for the joy the Thessalonians give. Standing 'before our God' (enōpion tou theou hēmōn) again places their joy in the divine presence. Thanksgiving becomes the appropriate response to grace.
Church Fathers on 1 Thessalonians 3:9
Not only, he says, are you the causes of life to us, but also of much joy, and so much that we cannot worthily give thanks to God. Your good behavior, he says, we consider to be the gift of God. Such kindnesses have you shown to us, that we think it to be of God; yea, rather, and it is of God. For such a disposition of mind comes not of a human soul or carefulness. “Night and day,” he says, “praying exceedingly.” This too is a sign of joy. For as any husbandman, hearing…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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