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.
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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 3
Commentary on 2 Thessalonians 3 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 3
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 (Ps 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).
2. that we … be delivered from unreasonable … men—literally, men out of place, inept, unseemly: out of the way bad: more than ordinarily bad. An undesigned coincidence with Ac 18:5-9. Paul was now at Corinth, where the Jews "opposed themselves" to his preaching: in answer to his prayers and those of his converts at Thessalonica and elsewhere, "the Lord, in vision," assured him of exemption from "the hurt," and of success in bringing in "much people." On the unreasonable, out-of-the way perversity of the Jews, as known to the Thessalonians, see 1Th 2:15, 16.
have not faith—or as Greek, "the faith" of the Christian: the only antidote to what is "unreasonable and wicked." The Thessalonians, from their ready acceptance of the Gospel (1Th 1:5, 6), might think "all" would similarly receive it; but the Jews were far from having such a readiness to believe the truth.
3. faithful—alluding to "faith" (2Th 3:2): though many will not believe, the Lord (other very old manuscripts read "God") is still to be believed in as faithful to His promises (1Th 5:24; 2Ti 2:13). Faith on the part of man answers to faithfulness on the part of God.
stablish you—as he had prayed (2Th 2:17). Though it was on himself that wicked men were making their onset, he turns away from asking the Thessalonians' prayers for HIS deliverance (2Th 3:2: so unselfish was he, even in religion), to express his assurance of THEIR establishment in the faith, and preservation from evil. This assurance thus exactly answers to his prayer for them (2Th 2:17), "Our Lord … stablish you in every good word and work." He has before his mind the Lord's Prayer, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"; where, as here, the translation may be, "from the evil one"; the great hinderer of "every good word and work." Compare Mt 13:19, "the wicked one."
4. we have confidence in the Lord—as "faithful" (2Th 3:3). Have confidence in no man when left to himself [Bengel].
that ye both do—Some of the oldest manuscripts insert a clause, "that ye both have done" before, "and are doing, and will do." He means the majority by "ye," not all of them (compare 2Th 3:11; 2Th 1:3; 1Th 3:6).
5. If "the Lord" be here the Holy Ghost (2Co 3:17), the three Persons of the Trinity will occur in this verse.
love of God—love to God.
patient waiting for Christ—rather as Greek, "the patience (endurance) of Christ," namely, which Christ showed [Alford] (2Th 2:4; 1Th 1:3). Estius, however, supports English Version (compare Re 1:9; 3:10). At all events, this grace, "patience," or persevering endurance, is connected with the "hope" (1Th 1:3, 10) of Christ's coming. In Alford's translation we may compare Heb 12:1, 2, "Run with patience (endurance) … looking to Jesus … who, for the joy that was before Him, endured the cross"; so WE are to endure, as looking for the hope to be realized at His coming (Heb 10:36, 37).
6. we command you—Hereby he puts to a particular test their obedience in general to his commands, which obedience he had recognized in 2Th 3:4.
withdraw—literally, "to furl the sails"; as we say, to steer clear of (compare 2Th 3:14). Some had given up labor as though the Lord's day was immediately coming. He had enjoined mild censure of such in 1Th 5:14, "Warn … the unruly"; but now that the mischief had become more confirmed, he enjoins stricter discipline, namely, withdrawal from their company (compare 1Co 5:11; 2Jo 10, 11): not a formal sentence of excommunication, such as was subsequently passed on more heinous offenders (as in 1Co 5:5; 1Ti 1:20). He says "brother," that is, professing Christian; for in the case of unprofessing heathen, believers needed not be so strict (1Co 5:10-13).
disorderly—Paul plainly would not have sanctioned the order of Mendicant Friars, who reduce such a "disorderly" and lazy life to a system. Call it not an order, but a burden to the community (Bengel, alluding to the Greek, 2Th 3:8, for "be chargeable," literally, "be a burden").
the tradition—the oral instruction which he had given to them when present (2Th 3:10), and subsequently committed to writing (1Th 4:11, 12).
which he received of us—Some oldest manuscripts read, "ye received"; others, "they received." The English Version reading has no very old authority.
7. how ye ought to follow us—how ye ought to live so as to "imitate (so the Greek for 'follow') us" (compare Notes, see on 1Co 11:1; 1Th 1:6).
8. eat any man's bread—Greek, "eat bread from any man," that is, live at anyone's expense. Contrast 2Th 3:12, "eat THEIR OWN bread."
wrought—(Ac 20:34). In both Epistles they state they maintained themselves by labor; but in this second Epistle they do so in order to offer themselves herein as an example to the idle; whereas, in the first, their object in doing so is to vindicate themselves from all imputation of mercenary motives in preaching the Gospel (1Th 2:5, 9) [Edmunds]. They preached gratuitously though they might have claimed maintenance from their converts.
labour and travail—"toil and hardship" (see on 1Th 2:9).
night and day—scarcely allowing time for repose.
chargeable—Greek, "a burden," or "burdensome." The Philippians did not regard it as a burden to contribute to his support (Php 4:15, 16), sending to him while he was in this very Thessalonica (Ac 16:15, 34, 40). Many Thessalonians, doubtless, would have felt it a privilege to contribute, but as he saw some idlers among them who would have made a pretext of his example to justify themselves, he waived his right. His reason for the same course at Corinth was to mark how different were his aims from those of the false teachers who sought their own lucre (2Co 11:9, 12, 13). It is at the very time and place of writing these Epistles that Paul is expressly said to have wrought at tent-making with Aquila (Ac 18:3); an undesigned coincidence.
9. (1Co 9:4-6, &c.; Ga 6:6.)
10. For even—Translate, "For also." We not only set you the example, but gave a positive "command."
commanded—Greek imperfect, "We were commanding"; we kept charge of you.
would not work—Greek, "is unwilling to work." Bengel makes this to be the argument: not that such a one is to have his food withdrawn from him by others; but he proves from the necessity of eating the necessity of working; using this pleasantry, Let him who will not work show himself an angel, that is, do without food as the angels do (but since he cannot do without food, then he ought to be not unwilling to work). It seems to me simpler to take it as a punishment of the idle. Paul often quotes good adages current among the people, stamping them with inspired approval. In the Hebrew, "Bereshith Rabba," the same saying is found; and in the book Zeror, "He who will not work before the sabbath, must not eat on the sabbath."
11. busy bodies—In the Greek the similarity of sound marks the antithesis, "Doing none of their own business, yet overdoing in the business of others." Busy about everyone's business but their own. "Nature abhors a vacuum"; so if not doing one's own business, one is apt to meddle with his neighbor's business. Idleness is the parent of busybodies (1Ti 5:13). Contrast 1Th 4:11.
12. by—The oldest manuscripts read, "IN the Lord Jesus." So the Greek, 1Th 4:1, implying the sphere wherein such conduct is appropriate and consistent. "We exhort you thus, as ministers IN Christ, exhorting our people IN Christ."
with quietness—quiet industry; laying aside restless, bustling, intermeddling officiousness (2Th 3:11).
their own—bread earned by themselves, not another's bread (2Th 3:8).
13. be not weary—The oldest manuscripts read, "Be not cowardly in"; do not be wanting in strenuousness in doing well. Edmunds explains it: Do not culpably neglect to do well, namely, with patient industry do your duty in your several callings. In contrast to the "disorderly, not-working busybodies" (2Th 3:11; compare Ga 6:9).
14. note that man—mark him in your own mind as one to be avoided (2Th 3:6).
that he may be ashamed—Greek, "made to turn and look into himself, and so be put to shame." Feeling himself shunned by godly brethren, he may become ashamed of his course.
15. admonish him as a brother—not yet excommunicated (compare Le 19:17). Do not shun him in contemptuous silence, but tell him why he is so avoided (Mt 18:15; 1Th 5:14).
16. Lord of peace—Jesus Christ. The same title is given to Him as to the Father, "the God of peace" (Ro 15:33; 16:20; 2Co 13:11). An appropriate title in the prayer here, where the harmony of the Christian community was liable to interruption from the "disorderly." The Greek article requires the translation, "Give you the peace" which it is "His to give." "Peace" outward and inward, here and hereafter (Ro 14:17).
always—unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances.
by all means—Greek, "in every way." Most of the oldest manuscripts read, "in every place"; thus he prays for their peace in all times ("always") and places.
Lord be with you all—May He bless you not only with peace, but also with His presence (Mt 28:20). Even the disorderly brethren (compare 2Th 3:15, "a brother") are included in this prayer.
17. The Epistle was written by an amanuensis (perhaps Silas or Timothy), and only the closing salutation written by Paul's "own hand" (compare Ro 16:22; 1Co 16:21; Col 4:18). Wherever Paul does not subjoin this autograph salutation, we may presume he wrote the whole Epistle himself (Ga 6:11).
which—which autograph salutation.
the token—to distinguish genuine Epistles from spurious ones put forth in my name (2Th 2:2).
in every epistle—Some think he signed his name to every Epistle with his own hand; but as there is no trace of this in any manuscripts of all the Epistles, it is more likely that he alludes to his writing with his own hand in closing every Epistle, even in those Epistles (Romans, Second Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, First Thessalonians) wherein he does not specify his having done so.
so I write—so I sign my name: this is a specimen of my handwriting, by which to distinguish my geniune letters from forgeries.
18. He closes every Epistle by praying for GRACE to those whom he addresses.
Amen—omitted in the oldest manuscripts It was doubtless the response of the congregation after hearing the Epistle read publicly; hence it crept into copies.
The Subscription is spurious, as the Epistle was written not "from Athens," but from Corinth.