Worthy.Bible » Parallel » 2 Thessalonians » Chapter 3

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 King James Version (KJV)

1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Finally, G3063 brethren, G80 pray G4336 for G4012 us, G2257 that G2443 the word G3056 of the Lord G2962 may have free course, G5143 and G2532 be glorified, G1392 even G2532 as G2531 it is with G4314 you: G5209

2 And G2532 that G2443 we may be delivered G4506 from G575 unreasonable G824 and G2532 wicked G4190 men: G444 for G1063 all G3956 men have not G3756 faith. G4102

3 But G1161 the Lord G2962 is G2076 faithful, G4103 who G3739 shall stablish G4741 you, G5209 and G2532 keep G5442 you from G575 evil. G4190

4 And G1161 we have confidence G3982 in G1722 the Lord G2962 touching G1909 you, G5209 that G3754 ye both G2532 do G4160 and G2532 will do G4160 the things which G3739 we command G3853 you. G5213

5 And G1161 the Lord G2962 direct G2720 your G5216 hearts G2588 into G1519 the love G26 of God, G2316 and G2532 into G1519 the patient waiting G5281 for Christ. G5547

6 Now G1161 we command G3853 you, G5213 brethren, G80 in G1722 the name G3686 of our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 that ye withdraw G4724 yourselves G5209 from G575 every G3956 brother G80 that walketh G4043 disorderly, G814 and G2532 not G3361 after G2596 the tradition G3862 which G3739 he received G3880 of G3844 us. G2257

7 For G1063 yourselves G846 know G1492 how G4459 ye ought G1163 to follow G3401 us: G2248 for G3754 we behaved G812 not G3756 ourselves disorderly G812 among G1722 you; G5213

8 Neither G3761 did we eat G5315 any man's G3844 G5100 bread G740 for nought; G1432 but G235 wrought G2038 with G1722 labour G2873 and G2532 travail G3449 night G3571 and G2532 day, G2250 that G4314 we might G1912 not G3361 be chargeable G1912 to any G5100 of you: G5216

9 Not G3756 because G3754 we have G2192 not G3756 power, G1849 but G235 to G2443 make G1325 ourselves G1438 an ensample G5179 unto you G5213 to G1519 follow G3401 us. G2248

10 For G1063 even G2532 when G3753 we were G2258 with G4314 you, G5209 this G5124 we commanded G3853 you, G5213 that G3754 if any G1536 would G2309 not G3756 work, G2038 neither G3366 should he eat. G2068

11 For G1063 we hear G191 that there are some G5100 which walk G4043 among G1722 you G5213 disorderly, G814 working G2038 not at all, G3367 but G235 are busybodies. G4020

12 Now G1161 them that are such G5108 we command G3853 and G2532 exhort G3870 by G1223 our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 that G2443 with G3326 quietness G2271 they work, G2038 and eat G2068 their own G1438 bread. G740

13 But G1161 ye, G5210 brethren, G80 be G1573 not G3361 weary G1573 in well doing. G2569

14 And G1161 if any man G1536 obey G5219 not G3756 our G2257 word G3056 by G1223 this epistle, G1992 note G4593 that G5126 man, and G2532 have G4874 no G3361 company with G4874 him, G846 that G2443 he may be ashamed. G1788

15 Yet G2532 count G2233 him not G3361 as G5613 an enemy, G2190 but G235 admonish G3560 him as G5613 a brother. G80

16 Now G1161 the Lord G2962 of peace G1515 himself G846 give G1325 you G5213 peace G1515 always G1223 G3956 by G1722 all G3956 means. G5158 The Lord G2962 be with G3326 you G5216 all. G3956

17 The salutation G783 of Paul G3972 with mine own G1699 hand, G5495 which G3739 is G2076 the token G4592 in G1722 every G3956 epistle: G1992 so G3779 I write. G1125

18 The grace G5485 of our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 be with G3326 you G5216 all. G3956 Amen. G281

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 American Standard (ASV)

1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified, even as also `it is' with you;

2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for all have not faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and guard you from the evil `one'.

4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command.

5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ.

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which they received of us.

7 For yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

8 neither did we eat bread for nought at any man's hand, but in labor and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you:

9 not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves and ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us.

10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat.

11 For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing.

14 And if any man obeyeth not our word by this epistle, note that man, that ye have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.

15 And `yet' count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.

17 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 As to the rest, pray ye, brethren, concerning us, that the word of the Lord may run and may be glorified, as also with you,

2 and that we may be delivered from the unreasonable and evil men, for the faith `is' not of all;

3 and stedfast is the Lord, who shall establish you, and shall guard `you' from the evil;

4 and we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that the things that we command you ye both do and will do;

5 and the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God, and to the endurance of the Christ.

6 And we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw yourselves from every brother disorderly walking, and not after the deliverance that ye received from us,

7 for yourselves have known how it behoveth `you' to imitate us, because we did not act disorderly among you;

8 nor for nought did we eat bread of any one, but in labour and in travail, night and day working, not to be chargeable to any of you;

9 not because we have not authority, but that ourselves a pattern we might give to you, to imitate us;

10 for even when we were with you, this we did command you, that if any one is not willing to work, neither let him eat,

11 for we hear of certain walking among you disorderly, nothing working, but over working,

12 and such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness working, their own bread they may eat;

13 and ye, brethren, may ye not be weary doing well,

14 and if any one do not obey our word through the letter, this one note ye, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed,

15 and as an enemy count `him' not, but admonish ye `him' as a brother;

16 and may the Lord of the peace Himself give to you the peace always in every way; the Lord `is' with you all!

17 The salutation by the hand of me, Paul, which is a sign in every letter; thus I write;

18 the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ `is' with you all! Amen.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 For the rest, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified, even as also with you;

2 and that we may be delivered from bad and evil men, for faith [is] not [the portion] of all.

3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you and keep [you] from evil.

4 But we trust in the Lord as to you, that the things which we enjoin, ye both do and will do.

5 But the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of the Christ.

6 Now we enjoin you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the instruction which he received from us.

7 For ye know yourselves how ye ought to imitate us, because we have not walked disorderly among you;

8 nor have we eaten bread from any one without cost; but in toil and hardship working night and day not to be chargeable to any one of you:

9 not that we have not the right, but that we might give ourselves as an example to you, in order to your imitating us.

10 For also when we were with you we enjoined you this, that if any man does not like to work, neither let him eat.

11 For we hear that [there are] some walking among you disorderly, not working at all, but busybodies.

12 Now such we enjoin and exhort in [the] Lord Jesus Christ, that working quietly they eat their own bread.

13 But *ye*, brethren, do not faint in well-doing.

14 But if any one obey not our word by the letter, mark that man, and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed of himself;

15 and do not esteem him as an enemy, but admonish [him] as a brother.

16 But the Lord of peace himself give you peace continually in every way. The Lord [be] with you all.

17 The salutation by the hand of me, Paul, which is [the] mark in every letter; so I write.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you;

2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for not all have faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you, and guard you from the evil one.

4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command.

5 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ.

6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us.

7 For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn't behave ourselves rebelliously among you,

8 neither did we eat bread from anyone's hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you;

9 not because we don't have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: "If anyone will not work, neither let him eat."

11 For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don't work at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

13 But you, brothers, don't be weary in doing well.

14 If any man doesn't obey our word in this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.

15 Don't count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.

17 The greeting of me, Paul, with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter: this is how I write.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 For the rest, my brothers, let there be prayer for us that the word of the Lord may go forward with increasing glory, even as it does with you;

2 And that we may be made free from foolish and evil men; for not all have faith.

3 But the Lord is true, who will give you strength and keep you safe from evil.

4 And we have faith in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things about which we give you orders.

5 And may your hearts be guided by the Lord into the love of God and quiet waiting for Christ.

6 Now we give you orders, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from all those whose behaviour is not well ordered and in harmony with the teaching which they had from us.

7 For you yourselves are used to taking us as your example, because our life among you was ruled by order,

8 And we did not take food from any man for nothing, but were working hard night and day not to be a trouble to any of you:

9 Not because we have not the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, so that you might do the same.

10 For even when we were with you we gave you orders, saying, If any man does no work, let him not have food.

11 For it has come to our ears that there are some among you whose behaviour is uncontrolled, who do no work at all, but are over-interested in the business of others.

12 Now to such we give orders and make request in the Lord Jesus, that, working quietly, they get their living.

13 And you, my brothers, do not get tired of well-doing.

14 And if any man does not give attention to what we have said in this letter, take note of that man, and keep away from him, so that he may be shamed.

15 Have no feeling of hate for him, but take him in hand seriously as a brother.

16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. May the Lord be with you all.

17 These words of love to you at the end are in my writing, Paul's writing, and this is the mark of every letter from me.

18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 3

Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 3 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 3

In the close of the foregoing chapter, the apostle had prayed earnestly for the Thessalonians, and now he desires their prayers, encouraging them to trust in God, to which he subjoins another petition for them (v. 1-5). He then proceeds to give them commands and directions for correcting some things he was informed were amiss among them (v. 6-15) and concludes with benedictions and prayers (v. 16-18).

2Th 3:1-5

In these words observe,

  • I. The apostle desires the prayers of his friends: Finally, brethren, pray for us, v. 1. He always remembered them in his prayers, and would not have them forget him and his fellow-labourers, but bear them on their hearts at the throne of grace. Note,
    • 1. This is one way by which the communion of saints is kept us, not only by their praying together, or with one another, but by their praying for one another when they are absent one from another. And thus those who are at great distance may meet together at the throne of grace; and thus those who are not capable of doing or receiving any other kindness may yet this way do and receive real and very great kindness.
    • 2. It is the duty of people to pray for their ministers; and not only for their own pastors, but also for all good and faithful ministers. And,
    • 3. Ministers need, and therefore should desire, the prayers of their people. How remarkable is the humility, and how engaging the example, of this great apostle, who was so mighty in prayer himself, and yet despised not the prayers of the meanest Christian, but desired an interest in them. Observe, further, what they are desired and directed to pray for; namely,
      • (1.) For the success of the gospel ministry: That the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, v. 1. This was the great thing that Paul was most solicitous about. He was more solicitous that God's name might be sanctified, his kingdom advanced, and his will done, than he was about his own daily bread. He desired that the word of the Lord might run (so it is in the original), that it might get ground, that the interest of religion in the world might go forward and not backward, and not only go forward, but go apace. All the forces of hell were then, and still are, more or less, raised and mustered to oppose the word of the Lord, to hinder its publication and success. We should pray, therefore, that oppositions may be removed, that so the gospel, may have free course to the ears, the hearts, and the consciences of men, that it may be glorified in the conviction and conversion of sinners, the confutation, of gainsayers, and the holy conversation of the saints. God, who magnified the law, and made it honourable, will glorify the gospel, and make that honourable, and so will glorify his own name; and good ministers and good Christians may very well be contented to be little, to be any thing, to be nothing, if Christ be magnified and his gospel be glorified. Paul was now at Athens, or, as some think, at Corinth, and would have the Thessalonians pray that he might have as good success there as he had at Thessalonica, that it might be as well with others even as it was with them. Note, If ministers have been successful in one place, they should desire to be successful in every place where they may preach the gospel.
      • (2.) For the safety of gospel ministers. He asks their prayers, nor for preferment, but for preservation: That we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men, v. 2. Note, Those who are enemies to the preaching of the gospel, and persecutors of the faithful preachers of it, are unreasonable and wicked men. They act against all the rules and laws of reason and religion, and are guilty of the greatest absurdity and impiety. Not only in the principles of atheism and infidelity, but also in the practice of the vice and immorality, and especially in persecution, there is the greatest absurdity in the world, as well as impiety. There is need of the spiritual protection, as well as the assistance, of godly and faithful ministers, for these are as the standard-bearers, who are most struck at; and therefore all who wish well to the interest of Christ in the world should pray for them. For all men have not faith; that is, many do not believe the gospel; they will not embrace it themselves, and no wonder if such are restless and malicious in their endeavours to oppose the gospel, decry the ministry, and disgrace the ministers of the word; and too many have not common faith or honesty; there is no confidence that we can safely put in them, and we should pray to be delivered from those who have no conscience nor honour, who never regard what they say or do. We may sometimes be in as much or more danger from false and pretended friends as from open and avowed enemies.
  • II. He encourages them to trust in God. We should not only pray to God for his grace, but also place our trust and confidence in his grace, and humbly expect what we pray for. Observe,
    • 1. What the good is which we may expect from the grace of God-establishment, and preservation from evil; and the best Christians stand in need of these benefits.
      • (1.) That God would establish them. This the apostle had prayed for on their behalf (ch. 2:17), and now he encourages them to expect this favour. We stand no longer than God holds us up; unless he hold up our goings in his paths, our feet will slide, and we shall fall.
      • (2.) That God will keep them from evil. We have as much need of the grace of God for our perseverance to the end as for the beginning of the good work. The evil of sin is the greatest evil, but there are other evils which God will also preserve his saints from-the evil that is in the world, yea, from all evil, to his heavenly kingdom.
    • 2. What encouragement we have to depend upon the grace of God: The Lord is faithful. He is faithful to his promises, and is the Lord who cannot lie, who will not alter the thing that has gone out of his mouth. When once the promise therefore is made, performance is sure and certain. He is faithful to his relation, a faithful God and a faithful friend; we may depend upon his filling up all the relations he stands in to his people. Let it be our care to be true and faithful in our promises, and to the relations we stand in to this faithful God. He adds,
    • 3. A further ground of hope that God would do this for them, seeing they did and would do the things they were commanded, v. 4. The apostle had this confidence in them, and this was founded upon his confidence in God; for there is otherwise no confidence in man. Their obedience is described by doing what he and his fellow-labourers had commanded them, which was no other thing than the commandments of the Lord; for the apostles themselves had no further commission than to teach men to observe and to do what the Lord had commanded, Mt. 28:20. And as the experience the apostle had of their obedience for the time past was one ground of his confidence that they would do the things commanded them for the time to come, so this is one ground to hope that whatsoever we ask of God we shall receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight, 1 Jn. 3:22.
  • III. He makes a short prayer for them, v. 5. It is a prayer for spiritual blessings. Two things of the greatest importance the apostle prays for:-
    • 1. That their hearts may be brought into the love of God, to be in love with God as the most excellent and amiable Being, the best of all beings; and this is not only most reasonable and necessary in order to our happiness, but is our happiness itself; it is a great part of the happiness of heaven itself, where this love shall be made perfect. We can never attain to this unless God by his grace direct our hearts aright, for our love is apt to go astray after other things. Note, We sustain a great deal of damage by misplacing our affections; it is our sin and our misery that we place our affections upon wrong objects. If God directs our love aright upon himself, the rest of the affections will thereby be rectified.
    • 2. That a patient waiting for Christ may be joined with this love of God. There is no true love of God without faith in Jesus Christ. We must wait for Christ, which supposes our faith in him, that we believe he came once in flesh and will come again in glory: and we must expect this second coming of Christ, and be careful to get ready for it; there must be a patient waiting, enduring with courage and constancy all that we may meet with in the mean time: and we have need of patience, and need of divine grace to exercise Christian patience, the patience of Christ (as some read the word), patience for Christ's sake and after Christ's example.

2Th 3:6-15

The apostle having commended their obedience for the time past, and mentioned his confidence in their obedience for the time to come, proceeds to give them commands and directions to some who were faulty, correcting some things that were amiss among them. Observe, The best society of Christians may have some faulty persons among them, and some things that ought to be reformed. Perfection is not to be found on this side heaven: but evil manners beget good laws; the disorders that Paul heard of as existing among the Thessalonians occasioned the good laws we find in these verses, which are of constant use to us, and all others whom they may concern. Observe,

  • I. That which was amiss among the Thessalonians, which is expressed,
    • 1. More generally. There were some who walked disorderly, not after the tradition they received from the apostle, v. 6. Some of the brethren were guilty of this disorderly walking; they did not live regularly, nor govern themselves according to the rules of Christianity, nor agreeably to their profession of religion; not according to the precepts delivered by the apostle, which they had received, and pretended to pay a regard to. Note, It is required of those who have received the gospel, and who profess a subjection to it, that they live according to the gospel. If they do not, they are to be counted disorderly persons.
    • 2. In particular, there were among them some idle persons and busy-bodies, v. 11. This the apostle was so credibly informed of that he had sufficient reason to give commands and directions with relation to such persons, how they ought to behave, and how the church should act towards them.
      • (1.) There were some among them who were idle, not working at all, or doing nothing. It does not appear that they were gluttons or drunkards, but idle, and therefore disorderly people. It is not enough for any to say they do no hurt; for it is required of all persons that they do good in the places and relations in which Providence has placed them. It is probable that these persons had a notion (by misunderstanding some passages in the former epistle) concerning the near approach of the coming of Christ, which served them for a pretence to leave off the work of their callings, and live in idleness. Note, It is a great error, or abuse of religion, to make it a cloak for idleness or any other sin. If we were sure that the day of judgment were ever so near, we must, notwithstanding, do the work of the day in its day, that when our Lord comes he may find us doing. The servant who waits for the coming of his Lord aright must be working as his Lord has commanded, that all may be ready when he comes. Or, it may be, these disorderly persons pretended that the liberty wherewith Christ had made them free discharged them from the services and business of their particular callings and employments in the world: whereas they were to abide in the same calling wherein they were called of God, and therein abide with God, 1 Co. 7:20, 24. Industry in our particular callings as men is a duty required of us by our general calling as Christians. Or perhaps the general charity there was then among Christians to their poor brethren encouraged some to live in idleness, as knowing the church would maintain them: whatever was the cause, they were much to blame.
      • (2.) There were busy-bodies among them: and it should seem, by the connection, that the same persons who were idle were busy-bodies also. This may seem to be a contradiction; but so it is, that most commonly those persons who have no business of their own to do, or who neglect it, busy themselves in other men's matters. If we are idle, the devil and a corrupt heart will soon find us something to do. The mind of man is a busy thing; if it be not employed in doing good, it will be doing evil. Note, Busy-bodies are disorderly walkers, such as are guilty of vain curiosity, and impertinent meddling with things that do not concern them, and troubling themselves and others with other men's matters. The apostle warns Timothy (1 Tim. 5:13) to beware of such as learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and are not only idle, but tatlers also, and busy-bodies, speaking things which they ought not.
  • II. The good laws which were occasioned by these evil manners, concerning which we may take notice,
    • 1. Whose laws they are: they are commands of the apostles of our Lord, given in the name of their Lord and ours, that is, the commands of our Lord himself. We command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, v. 6. Again, We command and exhort you by our Lord Jesus Christ, v. 12. The apostle uses words of authority and entreaty: and, where disorders are to be rectified or prevented, there is need of both. The authority of Christ should awe our minds to obedience, and his grace and goodness should allure us.
    • 2. What the good laws and rules are. The apostle gives directions to the whole church, commands to those disorderly persons, and an exhortation to those in particular who did well among them.
      • (1.) His commands and directions to the whole church regard,
        • [1.] Their behaviour towards the disorderly persons who were among them, which is thus expressed (v. 6), to withdraw themselves from such, and afterwards to mark that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed; yet not to count him as an enemy, but to admonish him as a brother. The directions of the apostle are carefully to be observed in our conduct towards disorderly persons. We must be very cautious in church-censures and church-discipline. We must,
          • First, Note that man who is suspected or charged with not obeying the word of God, or walking contrary thereto, that is, we must have sufficient proof of his fault before we proceed further. We must,
          • Secondly, Admonish him in a friendly manner; we must put him in mind of his sin, and of his duty; and this should be done privately (Mt. 18:15); then, if he will not hear, we must,
          • Thirdly, Withdraw from him, and not keep company with him, that is, we must avoid familiar converse and society with such, for two reasons, namely, that we may not learn his evil ways; for he who follows vain and idle persons, and keeps company with such, is in danger of becoming like them. Another reason is for the shaming, and so the reforming, of those that offend, that when idle and disorderly persons see how their loose practices are disliked by all wise and good people they may be ashamed of them, and walk more orderly. Love therefore to the persons of our offending brethren, even when we hate their vices, should be the motive of our withdrawing from them; and even those who are under the censures of the church must not be accounted as enemies (v. 15); for, if they be reclaimed and reformed by these censures, they will recover their credit and comfort, and right to church-privileges as brethren.
        • [2.] Their general conduct and behaviour ought to be according to the good example the apostle and those who were with him had given them: Yourselves know how you ought to follow us, v. 7. Those who planted religion among them had set a good example before them; and the ministers of the gospel should be ensamples to the flock. It is the duty of Christians not only to walk according to the traditions of the apostles, and the doctrines they preached, but also according to the good example they set before them, to be followers of them so far as they were followers of Christ. The particular good example the apostle mentions was their diligence, which was so different from what was found in the disorderly walkers he takes notice of: "We behaved not ourselves disorderly among you (v. 7), we did not spend our time idly, in idle visits, idle talk, idle sports.' They took pains in their ministry, in preaching the gospel, and in getting their own living. Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought, v. 8. Though he might justly have demanded a maintenance, because those who preach the gospel may of right expect to live by the gospel. This is a just debt that people owe to their ministers, and the apostle had power or authority to have demanded this (v. 9); but he waived his right from affection to them, and for the sake of the gospel, and that he might be an example for them to follow (v. 9), that they might learn how to fill up time, and always be employed in something that would turn to good account.
      • (2.) He commands and directs those that live idle lives to reform, and set themselves to their business. He had given commandments to this purport, as well as a good example of this, when he was among them: Even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any man would not work neither should he eat, v. 10. It was a proverbial speech among the Jews, He who does not labour does not deserve to eat. The labourer is worthy of his meat; but what is the loiterer worthy of? It is the will of God that every man should have a calling, and mind his calling, and make a business of it, and that none should live like useless drones in the world. Such persons do what in them lies to defeat the sentence, In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread. It was not the mere humour of the apostle, who was an active stirring man himself and therefore would have every body else to be so too, but it was the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness we work, and eat our own bread, v. 12. Men ought some way or other to earn their own living, otherwise they do not eat their own bread. Observe, There must be work or labour, in opposition to idleness; and there must be quietness, in opposition to being busy-bodies in other men's matters. We must study to be quiet, and do our own business. This is an excellent but rare composition, to be of an active yet quiet spirit, active in our own business and yet quiet as to other people's.
      • (3.) He exhorts those that did well not to be weary in well-doing (v. 13); as if he had said, "Go on and prosper. The Lord is with you while you are with him. See that whatever you do, that is good, you persevere therein. Hold on your way, and hold out to the end. You must never give over, nor tire in your work. It will be time enough to rest when you come to heaven, that everlasting rest which remains for the people of God.'

2Th 3:16-18

In this conclusion of the epistle we have the apostle's benediction and prayers for these Thessalonians. Let us desire them for ourselves and our friend. There are three blessings pronounced upon them, or desired for them:-

  • I. That God would give them peace. Note,
    • 1. Peace is the blessing pronounced or desired. By peace we may understand all manner of prosperity; here it may signify, in particular, peace with God, peace in their own minds and consciences, peace among themselves, and peace with all men.
    • 2. This peace is desired for them always, or in every thing; and he desired they might have all good things at all times.
    • 3. Peace by all means: that, as they enjoyed the means of grace, they might with success use all the means and methods of peace too; for peace is often difficult, as it is always desirable.
    • 4. That God would give them peace, who is the Lord of peace. If we have any peace that is desirable, God must give it, who is the author of peace and lover of concord. We shall neither have peaceable dispositions ourselves nor find men disposed to be at peace with us, unless the God of peace give us both.
  • II. That the presence of God might be with them: The Lord be with you all. 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. This will be a guide and guard in every way that we may go, and our comfort in every condition we may be in. It is the presence of God that makes heaven to be heaven, and this will make this earth to be like heaven. No matter where we are if God be with us, nor who is absent if God be with us, nor who is absent if God be present with us.
  • III. That the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ might be with them. So this apostle concluded his first epistle to these Thessalonians; and it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that we may comfortably hope to have peace with God and enjoy the presence of God, for he has made those nigh that were afar off. It is this grace that is all in all to make us happy. This is what the apostle admired and magnified on all occasions, what he delighted and trusted in; and by this salutation or benediction, written with his own hand, as the token of every epistle (when the rest was written by an amanuensis), he took care lest the churches he wrote to should be imposed on by counterfeit epistles, which he knew would be of dangerous consequence.

Let us be thankful that we have the canon of scripture complete, and by the wonderful and special care of divine Providence preserved pure and uncorrupt through so many successive ages, and not dare to add to it, nor diminish from it. Let us believe the divine original of the sacred scriptures, and conform our faith and practice to this our sufficient and only rule, which is able to make us wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Amen.