Fathers

1 Thessalonians 3

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Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. 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: Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

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What the Fathers say

1 Thessalonians 3:11

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you: and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you." This is a proof of excessive love, that he not only prays for them by himself, but even in his Epistles inserts his prayer. This argues a fervent soul, and one truly not to be restrained. …

Homily on 1 Thessalonians 4 ↗

Athanasius of Alexandria

For one and the same grace is from the Father in the Son, as the light of the sun and the sun's radiance is one, and as the sun's illumination is effected through the radiance. So too when Paul prays for the Thessalonians, in saying, "Now God himself our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, may he direct our way to you," he has guarded the unity of the Father and of the Son. …

Discourses Against the Arians 3.25.11 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

If already in the epistle the apostle includes his prayer, then by this he shows that he also prayed privately to see them. At the same time he also justifies himself, that he is far from them not out of negligence, as if saying: May God Himself put an end to the temptations that from all sides hinder us from coming to you by a direct path.

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians ↗

Western Saints

Ambrose of Milan

Again, this is said that you may know that the Father is, and the Son is, and that the work of the Father and the Son is one. Note the saying of the apostle, "Now may God himself, and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way to you." Both Father and Son are named, but there is unity of direction, because there is unity of power. …

Exposition of the Christian Faith 2.10.87 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when Paul says: may our God... direct our way to you, he makes known what he desires for them; in regard to this he first shows what he is asking for (3:13). And Paul is asking for two things: One on his own behalf—that he may go to see them—and so he says: may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God" (Jn. 20:17). "The plans of the mind belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord" (Prov. 16:1).

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians ↗