Strong bonds of affection existed between Paul and his coworkers. They loved the believers in Thessalonica, a love that came from God, who is the Source of love (1 Jn. 4:7). It was poured out in the hearts of those who responded to God’s love. They received it when they became believers (Rom. 5:5). Wonderful grace! Yet there is always room for improvement and progress. The above verse indicates such a development with the words increase and abound. The apostle emphasized the Source of this love, namely the Lord Himself. He is the One who works daily in each believer, through His Word and the Holy Spirit, helping the believers to keep growing.

The Lord gave a striking example of such increase and abundance in His parable of the sower (Lk. 8:8, 15). Like the seed sown in the good soil, God’s love begins as a little seed planted in the heart of each one who becomes a believer. God desires every believer to care for that seed so it may grow and prosper through reading and doing God’s Word, accompanied by prayer. This implies genuine care of the believers for each other, as they realize that they need the Lord and one another.

The apostle and his coworkers were always praying for the new believers in Thessalonica, “night and day” and “exceedingly,” in view of further growth (1 Th. 3:10–11). Paul desired to meet these Christians again, and he prayed that meanwhile their love for each other would increase and abound. Such overflowing love would affect people around them, even the unbelievers (v. 12).

May the Lord help us to put Paul’s instructions into practice for the benefit of us all and those around us. “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 Jn. 4:8).