| Geneva Study Bible Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might {b} perfect that which is lacking in your faith? (b) Paul was forced through the pressing dealing of the enemies to leave the building which he had just begun: and for that reason he had left Silas and Timothy in Macedonia, and when Timothy came to Athens to him, he sent him back again immediately. So that he desires to see the Thessalonians, that he may thoroughly perfect their faith and religion, that was as yet imperfect. People's New Testament 3:10 Night and day praying exceedingly. An expression of his intense longing to see again a band of young converts so tenderly endeared to him. And may perfect that which is lacking in your faith. Instruct them more fully in knowledge and duty. So recently heathen, they needed a wise teacher very much. Wesley's Notes 3:10 And perfect that which is wanting in your faith - So St. Paul did not know that they who are once upon the rock no longer need to be taught by man. Scofield Reference Notes Margin perfect See Scofield Note: "Mt 5:48". Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 10. Night and day-(See on [2446]1Th 2:9). Night is the season for the saint's holiest meditations and prayers (2Ti 1:3). praying-connected with, "we joy"; we joy while we pray; or else as Alford, What thanks can we render to God while we pray? The Greek implies a beseeching request. exceedingly-literally, "more than exceeding abundantly" (compare Eph 3:20). that which is lacking-Even the Thessalonians had points in which they needed improvement [Bengel], (Lu 17:5). Their doctrinal views as to the nearness of Christ's coming, and as to the state of those who had fallen asleep, and their practice in some points, needed correction (1Th 4:1-9). Paul's method was to begin by commending what was praiseworthy, and then to correct what was amiss; a good pattern to all admonishers of others. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 3:6-10 Thankfulness to God is very imperfect in the present state; but one great end of the ministry of the word is to help faith forward. That which was the instrument to obtain faith, is also the means of increasing and confirming it, namely, the ordinances of God; and as faith cometh by hearing, so it is confirmed by hearing also. | 
