‏ 1 Thessalonians 1:2

 We give thanks ( ευχαριστουμεν ). Late denominative verb  ευχαριστεω from  ευχαριστος (grateful) and that from  ευ, well and  χαριζομα, to show oneself kind. See  χαρις in verse 1. "The plural implies that all three missionaries prayed together" (Moffatt).

 Always ( παντοτε ). Late word, rare in LXX. So with  ευχαριστεω in 2Th 1:3; 2:13; 1Co 1:4; Eph 5:20; Php 1:3. Moffatt takes it to mean "whenever Paul was at his prayers." Of course, he did not make audible prayer always, but he was always in the spirit of prayer, "a constant attitude" (Milligan), "in tune with the Infinite."

 For you all ( περ παντων υμων ). Paul "encircled ( περ, around) them all," including every one of them and the church as a whole. Distance lends enchantment to the memory of slight drawbacks. Paul is fond of this phrase "you all," particularly in Phil. (Php 1:3, 7).

 Making mention ( μνειαν ποιουμενο ). Paul uses this very idiom in Rom 1:9; Eph 1:16; Phm 1:4. Milligan cites a papyrus example of  μνειαν ποιουμενο in prayer (B. Y. U. 652, 5). Did Paul have a prayer list of the Thessalonian disciples which he read over with Silas and Timothy?

 In here is  επι= "in the time of our prayers." "Each time that they are engaged in prayers the writers mention the names of the converts" (Frame).

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