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Advent Season · First Sunday of Advent · Year C

1 Thessalonians 3:12–4:2

Blameless in Holiness at Christ's Coming

November 28, 2027

Charity, William-Adolphe Bouguereau
Charity, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1878Private collection
A woman with as many children as she can hold, two asleep across her and one more pressing in at her knee.May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness.William-Adolphe BouguereauBouguereau, who made the old allegory look like an ordinary woman with too much to carry.Private collectionA private collection.Private collection
Roman Lectionary
GospelLk. 21:25-28, 34-36Lk 21:25-28, 34-36
Second Reading1 Thess. 3:12–4:21 Thes 3:12–4:2
First ReadingJer. 33:14-16Jer 33:14-16
Responsorial PsalmPs. 25:4-5, 8-9, 10+14 (1b)Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10+14 (1b)

Overview & Insights

"And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another." (1 Thessalonians 3:12)

Paul prays that the Thessalonians' love will overflow so their hearts are strengthened in holiness, then urges them to keep living the way he taught them, more and more. It sets the Advent tone of active, loving preparation rather than passive waiting.

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Take it further: 1 Thessalonians 3:12–4:2

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13Commentary on 1 Thes 3:9-13 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary reading of Paul's prayer for love to abound as the Lord's coming draws near.

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Commentary1 Thes 3:9-13 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed commentary on Paul's joy over the Thessalonians and his prayer for their sanctification.

1 Thessalonians 3 Commentary: Paul's Joy over the Thessalonians1 Thes 3 Commentary: Paul's Joy over the Thessalonians Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse notes on Paul's relief at Timothy's good report.

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 Commentary1 Thes 3:11-13 Commentary Precept Austin

Detailed word study on Paul's benediction for love and blameless holiness.

1st Sunday of Advent (Year C) Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Dr. Brant Pitre places Paul's prayer for holiness within the Advent 1 readings as a whole.

Background & Word Study

1 Thessalonians 3:12 Interlinear1 Thes 3:12 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text of the passage word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers.

Book of 1 Thessalonians OverviewBook of 1 Thes Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of Paul's earliest letter and its themes of hope for Christ's return.

The Church Fathers

1 Thessalonians 3 - Catena Bible & Commentaries1 Thes 3 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comments on Paul's prayer for love and holiness verse by verse.

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