FOR WHAT THANKS CAN WE RENDER
TO GOD FOR YOU IN RETURN: tina gar eucharistian dunametha (1PPPI)
to theo antapodounai (AAN) peri humon: (1:2,3;
2 Samuel 7:18-20;
Nehemiah 9:5;
Psalms 71:14,15;
2 Corinthians 2:14;
9:15)
What thanks can we render -
The sense of this rhetorical question is that words simply cannot
adequately express to God the thanks which filled Paul’s heart. His
joy was overflowing every time he remembered these saints before his
God.
Thanks (2169)(eucharistia from
eú = well + charízomai = to grant, give. It
speaks of grateful language (to God, as an act of worship),
thankfulness. Thanksgiving is only element of prayer that will
continue forever. Expresses that which ought never to be absent from
any of our devotions; namely, the grateful acknowledgment of past
mercies, as distinguished from earnest seeking of future mercies.
Guzik writes that...
Some find it easy to rejoice in the
material prosperity in the life of others, but Paul honestly rejoiced
in the spiritual prosperity of others.
Hiebert explains that this
is a rhetorical question...
expressive of deep emotion. Fully
aware that his words are but a poor and inadequate formulation of the
thanksgiving that is properly due, Paul yet attempts to give
expression to the deep gratitude he feels. (Hiebert,
D. Edmond: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: BMH Book. 1996)
Render to God for you - Here
for you means "concerning you" or "on your behalf". Note that
Paul does not thank them but thanks God for them. While this should
encourage them it provides no occasion for personal pride.
Render in return (467)
(antapodidomi from antí = in turn + apodídomi =
render <> from apo = from + didomi = give) means to give back in return for something received. The idea
is to practice reciprocity with respect to an obligation.
It means to pay back something
owed. Paul is saying we as Christians owe to God joyful
thanksgiving and praise for what He has done.
In a positive sense it means to repay,
to recompense or to reward. In a negative sense it means to requite or
exact retribution. Requite implies a paying back according to one’s
preference and often not equivalently.
Hiebert explains...
The effort to thank God "in return
for" His gracious work translates the aorist active infinitive
antapodounai (antapodidomi)
"to repay, recompense, requite," and that as a definite act. The
simple verb, meaning "to give," is compounded with two prepositions:
anti, marking the idea of a return or exchange for something
received, and apo, referring to something that is due "from" us
as a debt; the thought is that of a full and complete return for the
boon that has been received. No thanksgiving in their power is
equivalent to the debt of gratitude they owe God because of the joy He
has given them. This third outburst of thanksgiving for the readers
(see notes
1Thessalonians 1:2;
2:13) is
called forth by the news of their steadfastness under persecution.
Their thanksgiving is Godward. That the Thessalonians stood steadfast
is due not to the missionaries, or even to the converts, hut to God
Himself who has upheld them under the storm of persecution. Paul
viewed all spiritual blessings :is coming ultimately from God. What by
human standards would have been regarded as a triumph for the
missionaries, Paul humbly acknowledges to be the work of God. Let
Christian workers beware of taking credit for results only God can
produce. (Hiebert,
D. Edmond: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: BMH Book. 1996)
Antapodidomi is used 53
times in the
Septuagint (LXX)
(Gen. 44:4; 50:15;
Lev. 18:25; Deut. 32:6, 35, 41, 43; Jdg 1:7; 16:28; 1 Sam. 24:17;
25:21; 2 Sam. 3:39; 19:36; 22:21; 1 Ki. 2:44; 2 Ki. 9:26; 2 Chr.
32:25; Job 21:19, 31; Ps. 7:4; 18:20, 24; 31:23; 35:12; 38:20; 41:10;
103:10; 116:12; 119:17; 137:8; 138:8; 142:7; Prov. 19:17; 25:22; Isa.
35:4; 59:18; 63:7; 66:4, 6; Jer. 16:18; 18:20; 50:29; 51:6, 24, 56;
Hos. 4:9; 12:2, 14; 14:2; Joel 2:25; 3:4, 7; Ob 1:15; Zech. 9:12).
Here are some representative uses...
Genesis 50:15 When Joseph's
brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph
should bear a grudge against us and pay us back in full for all
the wrong which we did to him!"
Deuteronomy 32:35 'Vengeance
is Mine, and retribution (Lxx = antapodidomi = "I will repay"),
In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is
near, And the impending things are hastening upon them.'
2Samuel 22:21 "The LORD has
rewarded (Lxx = antapodidomi) me according to my righteousness;
According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed (Lxx
= antapodidomi) me.
Psalm 31:23 O love the LORD,
all you His godly ones! The LORD preserves the faithful, And fully
recompenses the proud doer.
Psalm 103:10 He has not
dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according
to our iniquities.
Psalm 116:12 What shall I
render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me?
Proverbs 25:22 For you will
heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you.
Joel 2:25 "Then I will
make up to (Lxx = antapodidomi) you for the years That the
swarming locust has eaten, The creeping locust, the stripping locust,
and the gnawing locust, My great army which I sent among you.
Obadiah 1:15 "For the day of
the LORD draws near on all the nations. As you have done, it will be
done to you. Your dealings will return (Lxx = antapodidomi -
literally the Greek reads "your reward will be recompensed") on your
own head.
Antapodidomi is used 7
times...
Luke 14:14 and you will be
blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you
will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
Romans 11:35 (note)
Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid
back to him again?
Romans 12:19 (note)
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of
God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says
the Lord.
1Thessalonians 3:9 (note)
For 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,
2 Thessalonians 1:6 For
after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction
those who afflict you
Hebrews 10:30 (note)
For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay."
And again, "The Lord will judge His people."
FOR ALL THE JOY WITH WHICH WE REJOICE BEFORE
OUR GOD ON YOUR ACCOUNT: epi pase te chara e chairomen
(1PPAI) di' humas emprosthen tou theou hemon: (1Thes
3:7,8;
2:19)
(Deuteronomy
12:2,18;
16:11;
2 Samuel 6:21;
Psalms 68:3;
96:12,13;
98:8,9)
For all the joy with which we
rejoice - God's joy
sometimes comes to us because of other Christians and their
faithfulness to Christ. Literally Paul says
Upon all the joy wherewith we are
rejoicing
Rejoice (5463)(chairo) means to be "cheer" full
or full of cheer, to be delighted, to be calmly happy or to be well-off
in one's emotional status. Chairo was frequently used in ancient
Greece as a greeting or address in the imperative (command)
implying a wish for well-being (something like "welcome", "good
morning").
In this passage, the
present tense
indicates that their joy was a continuing, supernatural, Spirit given
fruit (Gal 5:22), not a passing emotional reaction as one sees in
those who are merely "happy" where one is happy when things are going
well but not happy when things are not going well.
Hiebert writes that
The use of both the noun and verb
underlines the reality of their joy, while "all" brings out the
superlative quality of the joy. Because of the nature and scope of
their joy, they owe God a greater debt of thanks than they can
express. Theirs is a continuing joy, as the present tense of the verb
indicates. It counterbalances "all our distress and persecution"
(1Thes 3:7). (Hiebert,
D. Edmond: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: BMH Book. 1996)
Before (1715)(emprosthen from
en = in, + prósthen = in front of, before
from prós = toward, + syllabic suffix –then denoting direction, a
place) means before, in front of., in presence of, sight of, used of
place or position only.
On your account - Paul again
stresses that the truth about the steadfastness of the Thessalonian converts
is the catalyst that brings about their continual rejoicing with
all joy.
Note the radical change from all our distress and affliction
(see note
1Thes 3:7)
to all the joy on account of the steadfastness of the
Thessalonians. Paul is modeling for us the discipline of giving
thanks in all things (distress and affliction, cp note
1Thessalonians 5:18).
How does this supernatural reaction relate to
1Thessalonians 1:6?
Clearly we see the key to rejoicing in tribulations and giving thanks
in all things is being controlled by the Holy Spirit, continually
learning to lean on His strength and not our own understanding (cp
Proverbs 3:5-6) Joy is a fruit of a Spirit filled life and here was
"fertilized" by the good news brought by Timothy.
Hiebert writes that...
That they are expressing it before
"our God," the God with whom they stand in intimate personal
relationship, indicates its purity. It is a joy that is given free
rein in the presence of God without embarrassment, for it is
uncontaminated by personal selfishness or worldly motives. We have
here another instance of Paul's practice of lifting everything that
came into his life, whether sad or glad, into the presence of God.
Thus he lived in the sense of God's presence with him. (Ibid)
The psalmist writes...
But let the righteous be glad; let
them exult before God; Yes, let them rejoice with gladness. (Psalms 68:3
Spurgeon comments "The presence of God on the
throne of grace is an overflowing source of delight to the godly; and
let them not fail to drink of the streams which are meant to make them
glad. The courtiers of the happy God should wear the garments of
gladness, for in his presence is fulness of joy. That presence, which
is the dread and death of the wicked, is the desire and delight of the
saints. Let them dance with all their might, as David did, for very
joy. No bounds should be set to joy in the Lord. "Again, I say,
rejoice," says the apostle, as if he would have us add joy to joy
without measure or pause. When God is seen to shine propitious from
above the mercy seat in the person of our Immanuel, our hearts must
needs leap within us with exultation, if we are indeed among those
made righteous in his righteousness, and sanctified by his Spirit.
Move on, O army of the living God, with shouts of abounding triumph,
for Jesus leads the van.")
