1 Thessalonians 3:12 – Increasing in Love

12 Now may the Lord cause you to increase and superabound in love for one another and for all, even as we also for you,

Paul longed to go to Thessalonica himself, but their growth did not depend on his presence. “May the Lord cause you to increase,” he writes. Love was already present. After all, Timothy had brought good news of their “faith and love” (3:6). But what the Lord had given, He Himself would also cause to grow further.

Paul uses two words that reinforce each other: “increase” and “superabound.” What already exists becomes greater and grows into abundance. Later in the letter, Paul returns to this. Their love for the brethren throughout Macedonia was well known, yet he still encourages them to “be superabounding yet more” (4:9, 10). Spiritual growth never reaches a point where one can say: now the limit has been reached.

Moreover, that love has a direction: “for one another and for all.” It is not confined to the circle of fellow believers but extends to everyone. Paul could point to his own attitude in this regard: “even as we also for you.” This entire letter testifies to his deep love for them. The love they had experienced from Paul, the Lord would also cause to increase and superabound in them!

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