Chapter 3
Compiler’s comment. These verse-by-verse notes are taken from Andrew Womack’s commentary (sometimes edited), John Wesley’s commentary (unedited), The Passion Translation notes, ESV Study Bible notes, Easy English commentary, and personal thoughts. Primary translations are taken from the NKJV with other translations from biblegateway.com. The notes may be useful to provide background material for personal devotions or sermon preparation.
Verse 1.
“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you.”
AMP. Furthermore, brethren, do pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may speed on and spread rapidly and run its course and be glorified, that is extolled, and triumph, even as it has done with you.
Wesley. May run — Go on swiftly, without any interruption. And be glorified — Acknowledged as divine and bring forth much fruit.
ESV. Paul requests prayer for the advance of the gospel through his ministry and for deliverance from wicked men. He asks that Jesus’ Word “speeds ahead” and enjoys “unhindered progress.” That it be honored by people, that is, that people acknowledge its truth and embrace God’s offer of salvation.
Womack. Paul didn’t request prayer for his personal success; he desired God’s Word to prevail in the lives of people by bringing them out of darkness into marvelous light. Paul didn’t promote himself, so he wasn’t dismayed when things became difficult for him personally. People may become focused on themselves and get depressed and discouraged when personal trials come. Those who are dead to the old man have an advantage.
Paul, Silas, and Timothy requested prayer that their mission to spread the Gospel would succeed. The English word “course” is translated from the Greek verb “TRECHO,” which means “‘to run’; to run ...rapidly; to propagate” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon). It’s in the present tense and means a continuous, uninterrupted, and habitual action. Paul’s prayer was that the Gospel would go forth unhindered so that others might believe. That Jesus Christ would be glorified as He was among the Thessalonian believers. Paul knew there would be unreasonable and wicked people who would not believe.
Verse 2.
“And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all men have faith.”
AMP. And that we may be delivered from perverse, improper, unrighteous, and wicked and actively malicious men, for not everybody has faith and is held by faith.”
ESV. For not all have faith – The gospel is not always embraced by faith; indeed, it may produce violent resistance.
Wesley. All men have not faith — And all men who have not been unreasonable and wicked men.
Womack. Those who resist the Word are “unreasonable.” Intellectuals often cite “reason” as the basis of their rejection of God and His Word, but that’s not the real explanation. It is intellectually dishonest to refuse to consider reality beyond what can be discerned with the physical senses. The study of human history reveals an inbred knowledge of God that cannot be ignored except through self-deception. As David said, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God” (Psalms 14:1 and 53:1). Those who refuse the revelation of God’s Word based on “reason” are unreasonable. Even from a secular point of view, the Bible has impacted the world more than all other books combined. How could truly objective people not consider its claims? The truth is that those who deny God and His Word do so through prejudice. They don’t want to believe, because that would bring accountability to God. It is unreasonable to reject the infallible proofs God offers each person.
TPT Notes. Wicked can also be translated “weird, irrational, absurd, and disgusting.”
Verse 3.
“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”
AMP. Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil one.
Wesley. Who will stablish you — That cleave to him by faith. And guard you from the evil one — And all his instruments.
ESV. Paul comforts them considering their falling into the false teaching about the Lord having already returned. In Greek, the last word of verse 2 is faith (pistis). God’s faithfulness will guard them from the evil one.
Womack. Jesus is faithful to keep believers from being under the influence, or control, of evil. That protection is available, but we must respond to His promise faith to work in our lives.
In the previous verses, Paul asked for prayer that the Gospel would prevail. He requested this because there were “unreasonable and wicked men” who were seeking to stop its spread. Paul experienced their persecution. Even though Paul prayed for protection and unhindered success, he knew opposition would come. He had suffered much adversity (2 Corinthians 11:23-30). How did he cope? How do we handle life’s hardships? Regardless of what others do, God is faithful. The key to maintaining joy amid life’s trials is staying focused on God’s faithfulness instead of the unfaithfulness of others.
Paul mentioned two areas of God’s faithfulness. First, He is faithful to establish us and keep us from evil. The English word “stablish” is translated from the Greek word “STERIZO,” which means “to set fast; to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (figuratively) to confirm” (Strong’s Concordance). It is translated “strengthen” in Luke 22:32. The Lord is faithful to strengthen us and set us or turn us resolutely in a certain direction; our motivation comes from the Lord. Second, the Lord is faithful to keep us from evil. Jesus told us to pray for this in Matthew 6:13, and He prayed this for us in His prayer the night before His crucifixion (John 17:15). God delivering Lot from Sodom and Gomorrah was used as an example of His faithfulness (2 Peter 2:6-9), and the Lord’s preserving faithfulness is praised in Jude 24. God is faithful to establish us and keep us from evil. Our part is to receive His protection by faith.
Verse 4.
“And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.”
AMP. “And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do the things which we suggest and with which we charge you.”
Wesley. We trust in the Lord concerning you — Thus only should we trust in any man.
Womack. In 2 Thessalonians 3:3, Paul affirmed God’s faithfulness to us and His ability to establish us and keep us from all evil and from the Evil One. This is our part. We trust and obey Jesus too receive this protection. We’re not earning His protection, nor do we deserve it based on our merit. No! That would void the grace that Paul preached so fervently; rather, we cooperate with God. God provides for our needs, and we trust and believe to receive.
In Paul’s previous letter to the Thessalonians, he commanded them to abstain from fornication, not to defraud their brethren, and to work with their own hands (1 Thessalonians 4:1-11). Paul gave another command–to withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly. He expounded on this in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-15 and applied it to his “everyone must work” commandment. In 2 Thessalonians 3:10, he rephrased it, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” He went on to give instructions about how to treat anyone who disobeyed.
Verse 5.
Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
AMP. May the Lord direct your hearts into realizing and showing the love of God and into the steadfastness and patience of Christ and in waiting for His return.
TPT. “Now many the Lord move your hearts into a greater understanding of God’s pure love for you and into Christ’s steadfast endurance.” Note. The faithful endurance of all things for Christ.
ESV. Paul prays that the Thessalonians will be directed toward God’s love and the steadfastness of Christ – the perseverance imparted by Christ.
Wesley. Now the Lord — The Spirit, whose proper work this is. Direct — Lead you straight forward. Into the patience of Christ — Of which he set you a pattern.
Womack. Love and patience are two of the most important Christian virtues, yet the God-kind of love and patience are far beyond our human ability to achieve. God must direct or bring our hearts into these things. As Paul put it in Philippians 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Not only must God do everything through us; He also makes us willing or directs our hearts.
Verse 6.
“But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.”
AMP. “Now we charge you, brethren, in the name and on the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, that you withdraw and keep away from every brother and fellow believer who is slack in the performance of duty and is disorderly, living as a shirker and not walking in accord with the traditions and instructions that you have received from us.
TPT Notes. NKJV “walks disorderly.” Can be undisciplined or lazy or not in battle order or not in your duty station.” There is an implication that there were believers who refused to work for a living. Paul implies that the church should not financially support those who refuse to work. Personal responsibility is a common theme in Paul’s teachings. Note: NKJV “not according to the tradition you received from us.” Could be “don’t live according to the traditions they received from us.”
ESV. Paul strongly communicates that the church is to discipline by disassociation those who do not work.
Wesley. That walketh disorderly — Particularly by not working. Not according to the tradition, he received of us — The admonition we gave, both by word of mouth, and in our former epistle.
Womack. The Greek word ataktos, translated “disorderly” is used in 2 Thessalonians 3:11 where it is also translated “disorderly” in describing those who didn’t work at all but are busybodies.
Paul used a strong and authoritative phrase: “We command you...in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” “We command” is the Greek verb paraggello, and this word carries the idea of an order. It is further strengthened by the phrase “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” It’s in the present tense, which makes it a continuous or habitual command.
The command is to withdraw, disassociate, and separate oneself from those who call themselves Christians but who walk disorderly. This indicates a life that is not submitted to the authority of Jesus Christ and does not reflect the godly principles taught by the apostles.
In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus made “church discipline” a joint decision of the body of Christ. This is a safeguard against railroading someone, and it is a good principle to follow in this instance of dealing with those who refuse to work. These instructions deal with fellow believers who are able but refuse to work.
Paul referred to the Gospel of Christ. When Paul wrote this letter, the New Testament was not in written form; that came later. The truths of New Testament scripture were still oral, and these are the traditions Paul was referring to.
Verse 7.
“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you.”
AMP. For you yourselves know how it is necessary to imitate our example, for we were not disorderly or shirking of duty when we were with you. we were not idle.
ESV. The missionaries worked; Paul said: “Follow our example.”
Womack. Paul instructed the Thessalonians to follow his example because he had lived a godly life, and he knew it. We lose people’s respect when we don’t walk what we talk.
Paul’s command to separate from those who were disorderly and lazy was backed by the example that he had given to the Thessalonians. Paul saw the apostles’ example as an authoritative model for all believers to follow. True doctrine was to be shown as well as believed.
Verse 8.
“Nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.”
AMP. Nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and struggle we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden or impose on any of you for our support.
It was Paul’s God-given right to be supported, but he refused that support. See I Cor. 9:3-15; 2 Cor; 11:7-9; I Thes. 2:9.
Womack. Paul and his companions were self-supporting. They worked so as not to be a financial burden to those they ministered to (1 Thessalonians 2:9). Acts 18:3 reveals that Paul was a tentmaker by trade. That’s how he supported himself and his companions. In Paul’s day, tents were widely used; therefore, this trade provided him opportunity for income. It might be like working online today. He could practice his trade in many places.
The Greek word translated “travail” is “MOCHTHOS.” It means “hard and difficult labor” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon). Paul worked hard, night and day - long hours. Therefore, ministers who are in Paul’s situation will be rewarded as Paul was rewarded.
Verse 9.
“Not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.”
AMP. It was not because we do not have a right to such support, but we wished to make ourselves an example for you to follow.
TPT Note. Those who preach the gospel have the right to be supported financially and deserve their wages. I Cor. 9: 6-18. However, Paul’s custom was to earn his own way when he went into a city for the first time to show the truth of the gospel without mixed motives. His ministry in Thessalonica was somewhat of an anomaly. Because there were believers who were lazy and not working for a living, Paul gave up his right to have financial support from them and chose to work “night and day” to be an example to them.
Womack. Paul had the right, or authority, to receive his living from preaching the Gospel. However, he chose not to use that power so he could set an example for the Thessalonians to follow.
Verse 10.
“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”
“For while we were yet with you, we gave you this rule and charge: If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.”
Wesley. Neither let him eat — Do not maintain him in idleness.
Womack. Paul wrote this to the Thessalonians already - in 1 Thessalonians 4:11.
Paul previously dealt with laziness among the Thessalonians. This may be the reason Paul chose not to receive personal offerings from the Thessalonians.
There are some obvious exceptions to Paul instruction. Those unable to work are excepted. Paul targeted those who could work but choose not to. The church should not help such people. Any one of us may have periodic financial trouble and need assistance and that is not covered here.
Verse 11.
“For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.”
AMP. Indeed, we hear that some among you are disorderly, that they are passing their lives in idleness, neglectful of duty, being busy with other people’s affairs instead of their own and doing no work.
ESV. The problem, not busy at work, but busybodies. Those who refused to work were using their free time to meddle in the affairs of others. See I Tim. 5:13.
Womack.
The adage “an idle brain is the devil’s workshop” contains a scriptural principle. Those who were not working were meddling in other people’s business. People who are busy working to make a living seldom have time to interfere in the affairs of others. Hard work is healthy—physically and mentally.
Wesley. Doing nothing but being busybodies — To which idleness naturally disposes.
Verse 12.
“Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.”
AMP. “Now we charge and exhort such persons, as [a]ministers in Him exhorting those in the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) that they work in quietness and earn their own food and other necessities.”
ESV. Paul forcefully commands the idlers to go back to work, so that they may be financially independent. They are to work quietly – the opposite of being busybodies.
Womack. The word “quietness” means “peaceful; untroubled” (American Heritage Dictionary definition of “quiet”). See Proverbs 17:1 - “Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.” See also Ecclesiastes 4:6 - “Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.”
Wesley. Work quietly — Letting the concerns of other people alone.
Verse 13.
“But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.”
AMP. “And as for you, brethren, do not become weary or lose heart in doing right, but continue in well-doing without weakening.”
ESV. The community is to “keep doing good.”
Womack. How do we keep from being weary in well doing? See 1 Corinthians 15:56-58. Well doing eventually produces good results.
Verse 14.
“And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.”
AMP. “But if anyone in the church refuses to obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.”
TPT Note. The passive Greek verb entrope means “to be turned” (around); this is, to be changed. This was not punishment but an attempt to draw wayward individuals into repentance and bring them back into restored fellowship with the church.
Wesley. Have no company with him — No intimacy, no familiarity, no needless correspondence.
ESV. Community discipline.
Womack. There are things of which people should be ashamed. Paul pointed out that an able-bodied person who doesn’t work should be ashamed. It should be embarrassing and humiliating to panhandle. God did not create man to live this way. There is a proper place for negative emotions. A preoccupation with trying to obliterate all negative feelings has led some people to feel no shame about things that should cause shame. Homosexuality, adultery, lying, stealing, and a multitude of other things have lost much of their shame to a growing number of people. Shame and disgrace are emotions that Paul used to turn people to the right path.
Verse 15.
“Yet do not count him as an enemy but admonish him as a brother.”
AMP. “Do not regard him as an enemy, but simply admonish and warn him as being still a brother.”
Wesley. Admonish him as a brother — Tell him lovingly of the reason why you shun him.
Womack. We are not to treat these persons with animosity; they are still brothers and sisters in the Lord and should be treated as such. The process is corrective, not punitive. When correctly administered, church discipline should manifest the love of Christ. The actions taken may be severe, but if done in love for the purpose of correction, the individual corrected should not feel like an enemy. The word “admonish” differs from “punishment” in that it means a mild rebuke, and to warn, urge, or caution. This is not an opportunity for carnal Christians to release their anger on their brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Verse 16.
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
AMP. Now may the Lord of peace Himself always grant you His peace (the peace of His kingdom) and in all ways- under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes. The Lord be with you all.
Womack. Paul prayed for them to experience God’s peace regardless of their situation. The Amplified Bible translates this verse as “Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace (the peace of His kingdom) at all times and in all ways [under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes].”
The Lord is always with us. He said He would be with us always, even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Paul, here, is speaking of the manifest presence and power of the Lord being manifested to the Thessalonians.
Verse 17-18
“The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so, I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
Womack. Jesus is full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Therefore, since Jesus will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), God's grace will always be with us.