3:9a

How can we adequately thank God for you: This is the beginning of a rhetorical question that in Greek continues to the end of 3:10. What Paul was really saying was: “We cannot adequately thank God for you.” It is an emphatic statement. Translate it as a rhetorical question only if it is natural in your language and if it will convey the correct meaning.

3:9b

in return for our great joy over you: By continuing to believe firmly in Christ, the Thessalonians had caused Paul to rejoice.

in His presence: When Paul prayed, he considered that God was present.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.