2 Thessalonians 3:1

2Th 3:1-18. He Asks Their Prayers: His Confidence in Them: Prayer for Them: Charges against Disorderly Idle Conduct; His Own Example: Concluding Prayer and Salutation. 1. Finally--literally, "As to what remains." may have free course--literally, "may run"; spread rapidly without a drag on the wheels of its course. That the new-creating word may "run," as "swiftly" as the creative word at the first (Psa 147:15). The opposite is the word of God being "bound" (2Ti 2:9). glorified--by sinners accepting it (Ac 13:48; Ga 1:23, 24). Contrast "evil spoken of" (1Pe 4:14). as it is with you--(1Th 1:6; 4:10; 5:11).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

2nd Thessalonians Chapter 3

ANALYSIS OF THE CHAPTER.

THIS chapter is made up of exhortations and directions in regard to the performance of various Christian duties.

(1.) The apostle asks their prayers, 2Thes 3:1,2. He desires them to pray particularly that the true religion might be prospered, and that in preaching the gospel, he might be delivered from the opposition of unreasonable and wicked men.

(2.) He expresses confidence that God would incline them to do what was right, and prays that he would keep their hearts in his love, and in patient waiting for the Saviour, 2Thes 3:3-5.

(3.) He commands them to remove from their number those who were disorderly, and especially those who were idle; and addresses an earnest exhortation to this class, that they would be diligently engaged in the prosecution of the business of their appropriate callings, 2Thes 3:6-12.

(4.) He exhorts them not to be weary in doing well, 2Thes 3:13.

(5.) He directs that if any one should not obey the commands given in this epistle, he should be noted, and they were to separate themselves from him. Yet they were not to regard him as an enemy, but to admonish him as a brother, 2Thes 3:14,15.

(6.) The epistle closes with the usual salutations, 2Thes 3:16-18.

Verse 1. Finally, brethren, pray for us. That is, for Paul, Silas, and Timothy, then engaged in arduous labours at Corinth. This request for the prayers of Christians is one which Paul often makes. 1Thes 5:25.

That the word of the Lord may have free course. That is, the gospel. The margin is "run". So also the Greek. The idea is, that it might meet with no obstruction, but that it might be carried abroad with the rapidity of a racer out of whose way every hinderance was removed. The gospel would spread rapidly in the earth if all the obstructions which men have put in its way were removed; and that they may be removed should be one of the constant subjects of prayer.

And be glorified. Be honoured; or appear to be glorious.

As it is with you. It is evident from this Paul met with some obstructions in preaching the gospel where he was then labouring. What they were, he mentions in the next verse. He was then at Corinth, (see the Introduction,) and the history in the Acts of the Apostles informs us of the difficulties which he had to encounter there. See Acts 18.

(1) "free course" "run"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Introduction

The apostle recommends himself and his brethren to the prayers of the Church, that their preaching might be successful, and that they might be delivered from wicked men, 2Thes 3:1, 2Thes 3:2. Expresses his confidence in God and them, and prays that they may patiently wait for the coming of Christ, 2Thes 3:3-5. Gives them directions concerning strict discipline in the Church; and shows how he and his fellow laborers had behaved among them, not availing themselves of their own power and authority, 2Thes 3:6-9. Shows them how to treat disorderly and idle people, and not to get weary in well doing, 2Thes 3:10-13. Directs them not to associate with those who obey not the orders contained in this epistle, 2Thes 3:14, 2Thes 3:15, Prays that they may have increasing peace, 16, And concludes with his salutation and benediction, 2Thes 3:17, 2Thes 3:18. Verse 1 Finally, brethren - The words το λοιπον do not mean finally, but, furthermore - to come to a conclusion - what remains is this - I shall only add - any of these phrases expresses the sense of the original. Pray for us - God, in the order of his grace and providence, has made even the success of his Gospel dependent, in a certain measure, on the prayers of his followers. Why he should do so we cannot tell, but that he has done so we know; and they are not a little criminal who neglect to make fervent supplications for the prosperity of the cause of God. May have free course - They were to pray that the doctrine of the Lord, ὁ λογος του Κυριου, might run, τρεχῃ, an allusion to the races in the Olympic games: that, as it had already got into the stadium or race course, and had started fairly, so it might run on, get to the goal, and be glorified; i.e., gain the crown, appointed for him that should get first to the end of the course.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

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.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain