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An Exegetical Analysis of 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
This exegetical study of An Exegetical Analysis of 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 is based on a b-greek discussion from July 2, 1999. The initial inquiry examines the translation of 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, specifically questioning the New International Version’s (NIV) rendering of the verb in verse 13 (“strengthen” or “establish”) as “May he strengthen.” The query suggests that this translation implies a separate, indicative prayer, disconnected from verse 12, whereas an infinitive form (“to strengthen”) would signify a consequential relationship, with the strengthening of hearts being an *effect* of the prayer in verse 12.
The main exegetical issue under consideration is the precise grammatical mood and function of the verb στηρίξαι in 1 Thessalonians 3:13. The discussion revolves around whether this verb should be understood as an optative, expressing a wish parallel to the verbs in verse 12, or as an articular infinitive of purpose or result, which would establish a dependent relationship with the preceding clause. The resolution of this grammatical ambiguity significantly impacts the theological interpretation of the passage, particularly the relationship between Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians’ increasing love (v. 12) and the subsequent strengthening of their hearts in holiness (v. 13).
ὑμᾶς δὲ ὁ Κύριος πλεονάσαι καὶ περισσεύσαι τῇ ἀγάπῃ εἰς ἀλλήλους καὶ εἰς πάντας, καθάπερ καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς, εἰς τὸ στηρίξαι ὑμῶν τὰς καρδίας ἀμέμπτους ἐν ἁγιωσύνῃ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων αὐτοῦ.
(Nestle 1904)
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- There are no significant textual differences in 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 between the Nestle 1904 text and the SBLGNT 2010 that are pertinent to this exegetical discussion. The critical apparatus of NA28 also reveals no relevant variants for πλεονάσαι, περισσεύσαι, or στηρίξαι in this passage.
Lexical Notes:
- πλεονάζω (G4121): According to BDAG, means “to be or have in abundance, increase, grow,” or “to be present in great measure.” KITTEL notes its usage in ethical contexts to denote an increase in virtues.
- περισσεύω (G4052): Defined by BDAG as “to be in abundance, to superabound, to overflow.” KITTEL emphasizes an abundance that surpasses what is merely sufficient.
- στηρίζω (G4741): BDAG translates this as “to make firm, to establish, to strengthen, to support.” KITTEL highlights its frequent metaphorical use for strengthening faith, resolution, or character.
Translation Variants
Verse 12 presents two aorist active optatives, πλεονάσαι and περισσεύσαι, from πλεονάζω and περισσεύω, respectively. These forms unequivocally express a wish or a prayer, thus translations like “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow…” are grammatically sound and widely accepted, indicating Paul’s petition for the Thessalonians’ spiritual growth in love.
The critical point of contention lies in verse 13, specifically the phrase εἰς τὸ στηρίξαι. Initially, a parallel structure was suggested, interpreting στηρίξαι as another optative. However, a closer grammatical examination reveals that εἰς τὸ στηρίξαι is an articular infinitive (the preposition εἰς + the definite article τὸ + the infinitive στηρίξαι). This construction is a well-established idiom in Koine Greek, predominantly indicating *purpose* or *result*.
Grammatically, the aorist active infinitive στηρίξαι, when combined with εἰς τὸ, functions to articulate the intended outcome or aim of the preceding prayer. Therefore, the strengthening of the Thessalonians’ hearts is not a separate, independent prayer but rather the *consequence* or *purpose* for which Paul prays for their love to increase and overflow. This interpretation establishes a clear causal or consequential link between the two verses.
Rhetorically, understanding εἰς τὸ στηρίξαι as a purpose/result clause unifies Paul’s prayer. Instead of merely listing distinct petitions, Paul articulates a coherent spiritual progression: the increase of love (v. 12) serves the purpose of strengthening their hearts (v. 13) so that they may be found “blameless in holiness” before God at Christ’s advent. This structure provides a teleological dimension to the prayer, emphasizing the ultimate eschatological goal of their spiritual formation. Translations that render verse 13 as a separate “May he strengthen” clause, akin to the NIV, obscure this vital grammatical and rhetorical connection, suggesting two distinct wishes rather than a primary wish and its intended effect.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
Based on the grammatical analysis, the phrase εἰς τὸ στηρίξαι in 1 Thessalonians 3:13 functions as an articular infinitive expressing purpose or result, not an independent optative wish. This establishes a direct causal or consequential relationship between the prayer for increasing love in verse 12 and the strengthening of the believers’ hearts in holiness in verse 13. Translations that fail to convey this linkage may inadvertently misrepresent Paul’s intended meaning, treating the strengthening as a distinct prayer rather than the culmination of the preceding petition.
Suggested translations emphasizing this grammatical and rhetorical relationship:
- “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all, just as we also do toward you, for the purpose of establishing your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.”
- “May the Lord cause your love to increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you, so that your hearts may be strengthened blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.”
- “May the Lord cause you to increase and overflow in love for one another and for all people, even as we do for you, resulting in the strengthening of your hearts to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.”
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