But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you; for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God; night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you; and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you, to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Experience
I’ve never seen a relationship between believers as it is described in this passage. Does such love exist today in the church? Is learning to pray and long for one another something we should be practicing together as bodies of believers?
I think there is a special bond between Paul and those whom he had led to Christ which accounts for the relationship he expresses here. I have similar feelings for the kids from YDC’s in the past who were brought to faith or to a deeper faith through our relationship. “For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord” is a similar sentiment that John expresses in 3 John verse 4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”