PRAYER AND ORDER
2 Thessalonians chapter 3
Prayer – v. 1 to 5
Paul asks the believers in Thessalonica to pray for him. He had made the same request in his first letter (5:25), and now the need for their prayers is explained by the apostle:
a) He wants his work in the Gospel to be fruitful in conversions and holy lives, as was happening in their midst.
b) He wants to be protected by God against the evil of some “wicked and evil” unbelievers. Often those who reject the Gospel become enemies of those who preach it.
c) Paul has confidence in the Lord that the Thessalonian believers will continue faithful in practising the Apostolic teaching and always show love and steadfastness in the Christian life.
“The patience of Christ " (v. 5) - His example of perseverance in fulfilling His mission has always been a source of inspiration and courage for believers surrounded by difficulties and opposition (see Hebrews 12:1-2).
Order – v. 6 to 15
Instead of working diligently to earn their daily bread, some among the Thessalonian believers had stopped working and became lazy and gossipy. Interestingly, Timothy met a similar situation in Ephesus, where some women in the church "went wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not” (1st Timothy 5:13).
Now, Paul gives his orders to the Thessalonians “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (v. 6):
a) The general rule for the believer (as for all) is that “if any would not work, neither should he eat" (v.10). See Genesis 2:15; Proverbs 6:6-11, 20:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:11.
b) Paul worked like that to give them an example, although his own "work" was the preaching of the Gospel. See 1 Corinthians 9:14; Philippians 4:15-16; 1 Timothy 5:8,18.
c) they should not associate with those who did not want to work (v. 6, 14). Note: The believer should not act with false "charity" to the lazy. It is not "love" to sustain children who do not want to work, or to give alms or other assistance to "believers" who avoid any form of service.
d) "If anyone does not obey our word" (v.14), that person must be "noted" (mentioned in the church?) and cut off from social association with believers - but not put out of fellowship from the church, such as those mentioned in the 1 Corinthians 5:11-13.
Final salutation – v. 16 to 18
True peace is the gift of the Lord of peace - the Lord Jesus Christ himself - who promised it to His disciples (John 14:27; 16:22). Here He is called "the Lord of peace" (v.16).
The sign that assured the genuineness of Paul's letters was his signature, probably written in a special way at the end of the letter. See 1 Corinthians 16:21; Galatians 6:11; Colossians 4:28. This was necessary to avoid false letters issued in the name of the apostle. Look at verse 2:2 of this letter.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ was the apostle's desire for all believers – as much in those days as today, “by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:5).
Richard Dawson Jones (1895 - 1987)
1. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,
2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;
8 nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,
9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
2 Thessalonians chapter 3