Or, “so that,” pointing to the result of having hearts overflowing with love.

 Gr. stērizō (see on Rom. 16:25). In 1 Thess. 3:2 stērizō is translated “to establish.” Paul is confident that Christ will stabilize the believers’ hearts, and recognizes that the Thessalonians cannot accomplish that work for themselves.

 Gr. amemptoi, “blameless,” “deserving no censure,” “free from defect” (cf. on Eph. 1:4; Phil. 2:15; 3:6). The apostle’s wish for his converts is that in spiritual matters they be free from every flaw.

This indicates the sphere in which Christ is to make the believers blameless. He will so enable them to live holy lives that they will be able to stand without censure before the Judge of the universe. “Unblameable in holiness” represents the highest possible ethical and spiritual standard. The apostle believes that such a standard can be reached by the grace that Christ supplies to those of His followers who increase in love. To believe less would be to deny the gospel.

Paul’s concern is that his converts should be ajudged blameless, not by men, who are fallible, but by God who searches the hearts and knows what is in the mind.

 Compare v. 11.

 Gr. parousia (see on Matt. 24:3). The coming of our Lord is one of the keynotes of this epistle (see 1 Thess. 1:10; 2:19; 4:16; 5:23). In the present setting Paul sees the day of Christ’s coming as the time when the believer’s character must be established. There will then be no possibility of change.

 Gr. hagioi (see on Rom. 1:7). In the NT hagioi generally refers to the redeemed children of God (Matt. 27:52; Acts 9:13; 1 Cor. 1:2; etc.). Some believe that hagioi here refers to the angels who accompany Christ at His parousia (Matt. 25:31). Others believe that Paul is thinking of the dead and living saints who are united at the time of Christ’s appearing (1 Thess. 4:13-17) and with whom Jesus will be associated at that time.