We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
We are bound, х ofeilomen (G3784)] - 'We owe it as a debt' (2 Thessalonians 2:13). Their prayer having been heard (1 Thessalonians 3:12), it is a bounden return that they should thank God for it. Paul and his fellow-missionaries practice what they preach (1 Thessalonians 5:18). In 1 Thessalonians 1:3 their thanksgiving was for the Thessalonian 'faith, love, and patience;' here for their exceeding growth in faith ( huperauxanei (G5232): 'groweth above measure'], and for their charity abounding. "We are bound" - the duty of thanksgiving from its subjective side, as an inward conviction.
As it is meet - from the objective, as something answering to the circumstances (Alford). The prayer (1 Thessalonians 3:12), "The Lord make you to abound in love one toward another," and the answer, 'The love of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth' (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:10). Not merely general love, but individual; also not shown only to particular friends, but, for Christ's sake, to all.