John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. For what thanks can we render to God again or you , etc.] They had given thanks to God for them before, for their faith, love, and patience; (see 1 Thessalonians 1:2,3) and now having received a further account of them, they looked upon themselves bound to give fresh thanks to God for them, for the increase of their faith and love, and for their perseverance, as they did; (see 2 Thessalonians 1:3 2:13) since these are gifts of God's grace; but they knew not where to begin, what to render, and when to end: the phrase is much like that in ( <19B612> Psalm 116:12) what shall I render unto the Lord, etc. for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God : the joy they had was all joy, perfect and complete in its kind; (see James 1:2) and it was not for themselves, on their own account, because of any worldly interest or advantage they had therein, but for the sake of these Thessalonians, whose spiritual welfare they rejoiced at: nor was their joy of a carnal nature, but spiritual; it was a joy in the Holy Ghost, and which was hearty and sincere: it was before God our God, their covenant God and Father; it was in his sight and presence, who sees and knows all things, all actions, and the principles of them. Though this last clause, before our God, is in the Syriac version, placed at the beginning of the next verse, according to which, it refers, not to thanks or joy before God, but to prayer before him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-10 - Thankfulness to God is very imperfect in the present state; but on great end of the ministry of the word is to help faith forward. Tha which was the instrument to obtain faith, is also the means of increasing and confirming it, namely, the ordinances of God; and a faith cometh by hearing, so it is confirmed by hearing also.
Greek Textus Receptus
τινα 5101 I-ASF γαρ 1063 CONJ ευχαριστιαν 2169 N-ASF δυναμεθα 1410 5736 V-PNI-1P τω 3588 T-DSM θεω 2316 N-DSM ανταποδουναι 467 5629 V-2AAN περι 4012 PREP υμων 5216 P-2GP επι 1909 PREP παση 3956 A-DSF τη 3588 T-DSF χαρα 5479 N-DSF η 3739 R-DSF χαιρομεν 5463 5719 V-PAI-1P δι 1223 PREP υμας 5209 P-2AP εμπροσθεν 1715 PREP του 3588 T-GSM θεου 2316 N-GSM ημων 2257 P-1GP
Robertson's NT Word Studies
3:9 {Render again unto God} (twi qewi antapodounai). Second aorist active infinitive of double compound verb ant-apodidwmi, to give back (apo) in return for (anti). Old verb rare in N.T., but again in #2Th 1:6. {For you} (peri humwn). Around (concerning) you, while in verse #2 huper (over is used for "concerning your faith." {For} (epi). Basis again as cause or ground for the joy. {Wherewith we joy} (hei cairomen). Probably cognate accusative hen with cairomen attracted to locative carai (#Mt 2:10).
