9For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, 10as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?
Grateful hearts live in the constant quest for reasons to give thanks, find innumerable triggers to bring forth praise, and search for new avenues for expressing gratitude. Paul would have resonated with the psalmist’s words:
What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I shall lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. (Ps. 116:12–13)
The apostle was overjoyed with the Thessalonian believers. This was not a sterile, joyless joy, so to speak, as though it were a theological concept to be studied apart from any incidental emotion. No, the theme of his prayers was all about seeing them again, being with them in person. They were doing well, as he mentioned earlier in his letter, and he wanted them to do even better.
We do not take from this that their faith was somehow deficient in a negative sense. The phrase “lacking in faith” simply means there was room for growth. They were still young believers in Christ, and there was much to learn and new areas for faith to blossom. Paul wanted to “complete” the teaching that they could then incorporate into “the faith.” By this Paul seems to convey an idea that there is a corpus of teachings that all Christians should know. He instructed Timothy:
In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. (1 Tim. 4:6)
This body of teaching, which Paul will be adding to in this letter, provides not a static, one-time learning experience, but ongoing nourishment through constant reminders. Some of it the Thessalonian believers had yet to receive. In particular there were aspects of the Lord’s return they had not yet been taught. Paul wanted to remedy this situation, in part with his letter, but also in person.
How we wish there were more Christians who readily receive the Word of God, build their lives on it, grow in it, and grow on it—Christians who bring overwhelming joy to those who teach them. This is what brings abundant joy and overwhelming gratitude to those who minister to us.
Lord, may my spiritual growth bring thanksgiving to You and joy to others.
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