2 Thessalonians3
New Living Translation
1Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you.
2Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer.
3But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
4And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you.
5May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.
6And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us.
7For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you.
8We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.
9We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow.
10Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”
11Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business.
12We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.
13As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
14Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed.
15Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.
16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.
17HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL. I DO THIS IN ALL MY LETTERS TO PROVE THEY ARE FROM ME.
18May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Thessalonians 3.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The apostle expresses confidence in the Thessalonians, and prays for them. (1–5). He charges them to withdraw from disorderly walkers, particularly from the lazy and busybodies. (6–15). And concludes with a prayer for them, and a greeting. (16–18).
vv1-5
Those who are far apart still may meet together at the throne of grace; and those not able to do or receive any other kindness, may in this way do and receive real and very great kindness. Enemies to the preaching of the gospel, and persecutors of its faithful preachers, are unreasonable and wicked men. Many do not believe the gospel; and no wonder if such are restless and show malice in their endeavours to oppose it. The evil of sin is the greatest evil, but there are other evils we need to be preserved from, and we have encouragement to depend upon the grace of God. When once the promise is made, the performance is sure and certain. The apostle had confidence in them, but that was founded upon his confidence in God; for there is otherwise no confidence in man. He prays for them for spiritual blessings. It is our sin and our misery, that we place our affections upon wrong objects. There is not true love of God, without faith in Jesus Christ. If, by the special grace of God, we have that faith which multitudes have not, we should earnestly pray that we may be enabled, without reserve, to obey his commands, and that we may be enabled, without reserve, to the love of God, and the patience of Christ.
vv6-15
Those who have received the gospel, are to live according to the gospel. Such as could work, and would not, were not to be maintained in idleness. Christianity is not to countenance slothfulness, which would consume what is meant to encourage the industrious, and to support the sick and afflicted. Industry in our callings as men, is a duty required by our calling as Christians. But some expected to be maintained in idleness, and indulged a curious and conceited temper. They meddled with the concerns of others, and did much harm. It is a great error and abuse of religion, to make it a cloak for idleness or any other sin. The servant who waits for the coming of his Lord aright, must be working as his Lord has commanded. If we are idle, the devil and a corrupt heart will soon find us somewhat to do. The mind of man is a busy thing; if it is not employed in doing good, it will be doing evil. It is an excellent, but rare union, to be active in our own business, yet quiet as to other people's. If any refused to labour with quietness, they were to note him with censure, and to separate from his company, yet they were to seek his good by loving admonitions. The Lords is with you while you are with him. Hold on your way, and hold on to the end. We must never give over, or tire in our work. It will be time enough to rest when we come to heaven.
vv16-18
The apostle prays for the Thessalonians. And let us desire the same blessings for ourselves and our friends. Peace with God. This peace is desired for them always, or in every thing. Peace by all means; in every way; that, as they enjoyed the means of grace, they might use all methods to secure peace. We need nothing more to make us safe and happy, nor can we desire any thing better for ourselves and our friends, than to have God's gracious presence with us and them. No matter where we are, if God be with us; nor who is absent, if God be present. It is through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we hope to have peace with God, and to enjoy the presence of God. This grace is all in all to make us happy; though we wish ever so much to others, there remains enough for ourselves.
Key Words
λοιπόν (loipón): something remaining (adverbially)
ἀδελφός (adelphós): a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α))
προσεύχομαι (proseúchomai): to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship
περί (perí): properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period)
ἡμῶν (hēmōn): of (or from) us
ἵνα (hína): compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
λόγος (lógos): something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ)
κύριος (kýrios): supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
τρέχω (tréchō): compare G2359 (θρίξ)); which uses (the base of G1408 (δρόμος)) as alternate in certain tenses; to run or walk hastily (literally or figuratively)
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
2 Thessalonians 3Paul's identical description of his manual labor (night and day, not to be chargeable) in Thessalonica.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
The Greek for 'have free course' ('run') echoes the word of the Lord running swiftly.
Supported by JFB
Direct thematic link on God's faithfulness to establish and keep the believers.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The earlier instruction to warn the unruly/disorderly (ataktous), now escalated to withdrawal.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Parallel instruction on church discipline: separating from and having no company with disorderly brothers.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Paul's parallel prayer request to be delivered from unbelieving/unreasonable men in Judea.
Supported by John Calvin
Paul's defense of his apostolic right ('power') to be supported, though he voluntarily waived it.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
The command to work with quietness and eat their own bread echoes the first epistle.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Verbal parallel on not growing weary in well-doing.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Another instance of Paul explicitly noting his own signature hand as a token of authenticity.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Echo of the Lord's Prayer request to 'deliver us from evil' (or the evil one).
Supported by JFB
The Thessalonians' practice of following/imitating Paul and his companions' godly example.
Supported by JFB
The foundational creation principle that man must work to eat, echoing Paul's labor rule.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Warning against being a busybody in other men's matters.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Restoring a brother in a spirit of gentleness rather than treating him as an enemy.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin