|
| Chapter 3 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
|
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 not all men have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you and keep you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that ye both do, and will do, the things which we command you. 5 And may 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 who walketh disorderly and not after the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how ye ought to follow us, for we did not behave disorderly among you; 8 neither did we eat any man’s bread for naught, but wrought with labor 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 example 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 among you who walk disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such, we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that they work with quietness and eat their own bread. 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in welldoing. 14 And if any man obey not our word in 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 This salutation of Paul is 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. |
v1,2 Paul repeats the prayer from 1 Thess 5:25, adding the desire for "free course" or a free run of the spread of the gospel, no opposition or danger from evil people without faith. See Acts 18:6,12 That the "Word of the Lord" be received, obeyed and give glory to Jesus, just as the Thessalonians had received it, 1 Thess 1:6. v3-5 God is faithful. God is far more faithful than any man or woman, 1 Thess 5:24. "Keep you from evil," from the power and action of Satan, compare Matt 6:13. v4 We can trust God not to fail us in the present, you both do, and the future will do,. "Which we command you, " see verse 6ff. v5 Paul makes a short prayer for them, that God will direct their hearts and thoughts into the love of God, Rom 8:37-39 and be prepared to wait patiently for the return of Jesus. Heb 12:1,2. v6-15 Command to work. The Thessalonian church had, because they thought the return of Jesus was very near, had decided that it was not worth working, they had become lazy. Paul now commands how they should be behaving as they await the return. Paul issues the instruction, in the Name of Jesus, his source of authority, that they should not have anything to do with a brother or sister who insists on not working. The church members should follow the example of Paul and the team, who had not misused the fellowship. See 1 Thess 4:11,12; 1 Thess 5:11-16. v7-9 Copy or imitate our behaviour. Paul reminds them that they worked for their own food, they did not use the church’s kind fellowship of money and food as an example to the church on how a Believer should behave. v10,11 During the previous visit Paul had urged them not to have anything to do with those who refused to work, giving them no support. v11 Paul had received this unhappy news that some would not work for their living, instead they were being busybodies, a person who interferes or is always trying to find out what other people were doing, possibly spreading tales or stories about others, making trouble for these people. v12 Paul sends a message to the troublemakers, a command, with the authority of the Lord Jesus, that they stop their wrong behaviour and work and supply their own requirements, "eat their own bread." v13-15 The whole church must not fail in their work for the Lord, Paul tells the church to ignore and avoid these troublemakers if they fail to obey the command he has sent in this letter. However, they are not your enemies, treat them as your brother in Christ. v16 Final blessings, that they receive the divine peace of God through Jesus, not just once but always. v17 Paul closes his letters with his own handwriting, a sign of the letters authority. 1 Cor 16:21; Gal 6:11; Col 4:18. v18 The blessing includes all the church, including the troublemakers. |
Easy English Translation
| Back to previous page | Return to Home Page |
| 2 Thessalonians |
| Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 |
| Introduction Page |
