- 2 Thessalonians
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3
A request for prayer
1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, as also with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from evil and malignant men; for not all have faith.* Since everyone believes something, has a worldview, the reference is presumably to faith in God.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen you and guard you from the malignant one.† ‘The’ malignant one is Satan. 4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command.‡ Observe that Paul considers that he is in a position to command. 5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the perseverance of Christ.§ As Paul makes clear in the opening paragraph, they are already manifesting love and perseverance, so I take the point of the prayer to be progress into God's kind of love and Christ's kind of perseverance. They have made a good start, they are on the right road; Paul asks God to help them on toward the goal.
Instructions
Don't be irresponsible or lazy
6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who behaves irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they* There were several of them. received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we did not behave irresponsibly among you; 8 neither† The distinction implied here indicates that the irresponsible behavior covered a wider area than just idleness or freeloading. did we eat anyone's bread without paying; rather we worked night and day, with difficulty and hardship, so as not to be a burden to any of you; 9 not because we do not have the right, but in order to offer ourselves to you as a model for you to imitate. 10 Yes, because when we were with you we gave you this command: “If anyone does not want to work,‡ “Does not want to work”—the reference is not to those who want to work but cannot find a job; it is to the lazy. neither let him eat!” 11 Yet we hear that some among you are behaving irresponsibly; not working, just meddling. 12 Now to such individuals we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
Isolate the disobedient
13 But as for you, brothers, do not lose heart in well doing. 14 If anyone does not obey our word in this letter, take note of him and do not associate with him, that he may be shamed; 15 yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.§ The discipline is to be corrective, not punitive. Note that Paul clearly claims authority; he expects to be obeyed.
Conclusion
Benediction
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you the peace* “The peace”: there is no lack of counterfeit ‘peace’, but the reference here is presumably to ‘the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding’ (Philippians 4:7)—and only “the Lord of peace” can give it. during every situation, in every way.† Since they were being actively persecuted, this was a very appropriate blessing. The Lord be with you all.
Sign-off
17 The greeting of Paul, with my own hand, which is the ‘trademark’ in every letter that I write.‡ I take the clear implication to be that Paul dictated his letters to an amanuensis, or secretary, but ‘signed’ the letter by writing the last line himself. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

- 2 Thessalonians
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*3:2 Since everyone believes something, has a worldview, the reference is presumably to faith in God.

†3:3 ‘The’ malignant one is Satan.

‡3:4 Observe that Paul considers that he is in a position to command.

§3:5 As Paul makes clear in the opening paragraph, they are already manifesting love and perseverance, so I take the point of the prayer to be progress into God's kind of love and Christ's kind of perseverance. They have made a good start, they are on the right road; Paul asks God to help them on toward the goal.

*3:6 There were several of them.

†3:8 The distinction implied here indicates that the irresponsible behavior covered a wider area than just idleness or freeloading.

‡3:10 “Does not want to work”—the reference is not to those who want to work but cannot find a job; it is to the lazy.

§3:15 The discipline is to be corrective, not punitive. Note that Paul clearly claims authority; he expects to be obeyed.

*3:16 “The peace”: there is no lack of counterfeit ‘peace’, but the reference here is presumably to ‘the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding’ (Philippians 4:7)—and only “the Lord of peace” can give it.

†3:16 Since they were being actively persecuted, this was a very appropriate blessing.

‡3:17 I take the clear implication to be that Paul dictated his letters to an amanuensis, or secretary, but ‘signed’ the letter by writing the last line himself.

© 2016 Wilbur N. Pickering, ThM, PhD