And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

1 THESSALONIANS 3:12KJV
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1 Thessalonians 3:12 (KJV)

What does 1 Thessalonians 3:12 mean?

1 Thessalonians 3:12 is a prayer asking that the Lord would help the believers grow and overflow in love for each other and for everyone else, just as the writer and his companions show love toward them. The verse emphasizes an ever-increasing, active love that reaches both within the church and outward to all people.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Thessalonica, expressing his desire that their love would not only increase among themselves but also extend to all people, mirroring the love he and his fellow workers have shown them. This comes as part of Paul’s encouragement and pastoral care, as he wants the church to be marked by a love that keeps growing and is not limited by boundaries.

The Greek behind 1 Thessalonians 3:12

  • The word "increase" (πλεονάζω, pleonazō) and "abound" (περισσεύω, perisseuō) both point to growth, but "abound" carries the sense of overflowing or exceeding what is expected. Paul is not just asking for love to grow, but to overflow beyond the usual limits.
  • "Love" (ἀγάπη, agapē) here refers to a self-giving, active care for others, not just feelings or affection. This is the kind of love Paul wants to see increase among the believers and toward everyone.
  • The phrase "toward all" (εἰς πάντας, eis pantas) makes clear that this love is not meant to be kept inside the group but should reach out to all people, showing the inclusive nature of Christian love.

Why 1 Thessalonians 3:12 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Christian love is not meant to be static or limited to a small circle; it is supposed to keep growing and include everyone, not just fellow believers.
  • Paul’s prayer here highlights that love is a work God does in people, not just something they muster up on their own.
  • The verse sets up the next section, where Paul talks about being blameless and holy, showing that overflowing love is central to living a life pleasing to God.

Where else these words appear

“make” Greek G4121 · used in 8 verses

  • Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
  • 2 Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
  • Philippians 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

“as” Greek G2509 · used in 13 verses

  • Romans 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
  • 2 Corinthians 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
  • 1 Thessalonians 3:6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

“abound” Greek G4052 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

“one” Greek G240 · used in 94 verses

  • Matthew 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
  • Acts 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
  • Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.