And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
The "you" (Greek) is emphatically put first: 'but' (Greek for "and"), what concerns "YOU," whether we come or not, 'may the Lord make you to,' etc. "Increase" or enlarge х pleonasai (G4121)] has a comparative force: "abound" х perisseusai (G4052)] a superlative force 'make you full (supplying) "that which is lacking" (1 Thessalonians 3:10), and even abounding.' "The Lord" may here be the Holy Spirit: so the Three of the Trinity will be appealed to (cf. 1 Thessalonians 3:13), as in 2 Thessalonians 3:5. So the Holy Spirit is called "The Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:17). "Love" (brotherly, toward Christians first, and philanthropic toward all men) is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22): His office is "to stablish in holiness" (1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Peter 1:2).