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1Th_3:10. Δεόμενοι ] is not used absolutely instead of δεόμεθα or ἐσμὲν δεόμενοι , which Cornelius a Lapide and Baumgarten-Crusius assume, and Flatt thinks possible, but neither is it to be united with χαίρομεν (Schott, de Wette, Koch, Riggenbach), but belongs to the main thought τίνα … ἀνταποδοῦναι , and assigns the reason for it by the fervent longing for the readers, and anxiety for their Christian character: What sufficient thanks are we able to give to God for our joy over you, as we (cleaving to you with such paternal love that we), without ceasing, pray to see you again, and complete the defects of your faith?
νυκτός ] See on 1Th_2:9. Erroneously Fromond.: it is placed first, quia nocte praecipue propter solitudinem et silentium sancti se orationi dare solent.
The accumulation of expressions νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ , is the natural outflow of the strength of his feeling; comp. Php_1:23.
ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ ] above measure, is found only in 1Th_5:13, Eph_3:20, and Theodoton, ad Daniel, 3:22. Erroneously—because grammatically impossible
Clericus insists on referring it by means of a trajection not to δεόμενοι , but to ἰδεῖν , defending his opinion on the ground that ὑπερεκπερ . denotes something not strictly necessary, whereas prayer is a duty, a necessity: orantes ut videamus vultum vestrum, quasi cumulum laetitiae nostrae. Non satis erat Paulo scire Thessalonicenses constanter evangelio adhaerere, quamvis summam laetitiam ex eo nuntio perciperit, volebat ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ , ex abundanti, eos videre.
εἰς τὸ κ . τ . λ .] the design of δεόμενοι : praying to this end, in order by means of prayer (by the answer to it) to attain the ἰδεῖν and καταρτίσαι .
καταρτίζειν ] is to place in the condition of perfectness, of completeness. Thus καταρτίζειν τὰ ὑστερήματα τῆς πίστεως signifies: to render complete the defects of faith, that is, in order to make perfect that which is wanting in faith (Theodoret: τὰ ἐλλείποντα πληρῶσαι ). By this ὑστερήματα τῆς πίστεως Paul understands partly defects of faith as regards insight (particularly in respect of the impending advent; comp. 1Th_4:13 ff.); partly defects of faith as regards its practical verification in the Christian life (comp. 1Th_4:1 ff.). It follows, moreover, from καταρτίσαι τὰ ὑστερήματα , with what inconsiderate arbitrariness Baur misuses even this passage in support of his assertion that the Thessalonian church had already existed for a long time.