| Geneva Study Bible For now we {a} live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. (a) For now you cannot otherwise think of me as at rest and in a good state of being, unless you go forward in religion and faith. People's New Testament 3:8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. How tender his affection for them if he could say that good news from them filled him with new life! Wesley's Notes 3:8 Now we live - Indeed; we enjoy life: so great is our affection for you. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 8. now-as the case is; seeing ye stand fast. we live-we flourish. It revives us in our affliction to hear of your steadfastness (Ps 22:26; 2Jo 3:4). if-implying that the vivid joy which the missionaries "now" feel, will continue if the Thessalonians continue steadfast. They still needed exhortation, 1Th 3:10; therefore he subjoins the conditional clause, "if ye," &c. (Php 4:1). 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. | 
