1 Thessalonians 3:8

“For now we live, etc.] Before they were dead men, lifeless, disconsolate, dispirited, carrying about with them the dying of the Lord Jesus, and death working in them, and they, as it were, under the sentence of that, being killed all the day long for Christ's sake; but now, upon this news, in the midst of all their sore trials and troubles, their spirits revived, and they became alive and cheerful; (see <192226>Psalm 22:26 <235503>Isaiah 55:3), it was like life from the dead unto them: if ye stand fast in the Lord: or “our Lord”, as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions read; that is, “in the faith of the Lord”, as the Arabic version renders it: they were in the Lord secretly by electing grace,…”

“now--as the case is; seeing ye stand fast. we live--we flourish. It revives us in our affliction to hear of your steadfastness (Psa 22:26). if--implying that the vivid joy which the missionaries "now" feel, will continue if the Thessalonians continue steadfast. They still needed exhortation, Th1 3:10; therefore he subjoins the conditional clause, "if ye," &c. (Phi 4:1).”

“For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord - This is equivalent to saying, “My life and comfort depend on your stability in the faith, and your correct Christian walk;” compare Martial 6:70. Non est vivere, sed valere, vita - “Life consists not merely in living, but in the enjoyment of health.” See also Seneca, Epis. 99, and Manilius, 1 Thessalonians 4:5, as quoted by Wetstein. The meaning here is, that Paul now enjoyed life; he had that which constituted real life, in the fact that they acted as became Christians, and so as to show that his labor among them had not been in vain. The same thing here affirmed is true of all faithful ministers of the gospel. They feel that they have…”

“Now we live - Indeed; we enjoy life: so great is our affection for you. 1 Thessalonians 3:10”

“3:8 Paul was distressed by his present circumstances (3:7) and deeply concerned for the church (3:1, 5). He was relieved to learn that the Thessalonians remained strong and were standing firm in the Lord even though they were also suffering (2:14; 3:3-4).”

“we live: Sa1 25:6 \*Heb: Psa 30:5; Phi 1:21 if: Joh 8:31, Joh 15:4, Joh 15:7; Act 11:23; Co1 15:58, Co1 16:13; Gal 5:1; Eph 3:17; Eph 4:15, Eph 4:16, Eph 6:13, Eph 6:14; Phi 1:27, Phi 4:1; Col 1:23; Heb 3:14, Heb 4:14, Heb 10:23; Pe1 5:10; Pe2 3:17; Rev 3:3, Rev 3:11 1 Thessalonians 3:9”