2 Thessalonians 3 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.
2 Thessalonians 3 (New Testament)
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.
2 Thess.3 (New Testament)
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.
| Greek Word + Transliteration + Meaning | Verse + Snippet | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|
| τρέχω — trechō — run, advance | Verse 1 — “…that the word of the Lord may have free course…” | Trechō underscores rapid, unhindered spread. Paul prays for gospel momentum. The term frames evangelism as forward movement. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| ῥύομαι — rhyomai — deliver, rescue | Verse 2 — “…that we may be delivered from unreasonable men…” | Rhyomai marks divine rescue from hostile forces. Paul depends upon God’s intervention. The term highlights spiritual danger. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| στήριξαι — stērixai — establish, set firmly | Verse 3 — “…to stablish you…” | Stērixai indicates firm grounding by the Lord. Paul prays for strengthened perseverance. The term implies spiritual reinforcement. — Richard Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| κατευθύναι — kateuthynai — direct, guide straight | Verse 5 — “…the Lord direct your hearts…” | Kateuthynai conveys straight guiding toward divine goals. Paul seeks alignment of desire with God’s love. The term highlights internal direction. — Philip Schaff, Commentary on the NT (1882) |
| ἄτακτος — ataktos — disorderly, undisciplined | Verse 6 — “…withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly…” | Ataktos describes neglect of proper Christian discipline. Paul identifies idleness as spiritual danger. The term calls for corrective separation. — James Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (1898) |
| μῖμος — mimos — imitator | Verse 7 — “…ye ought to follow us…” | Mimos highlights exemplary imitation. Paul appeals to his own behavior as a model. The term supports embodied teaching. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| ἐργάζομαι — ergazomai — work, labor | Verse 10 — “…if any would not work…” | Ergazomai stresses productive labor as Christian duty. Paul rejects parasitic living. The term integrates faith with responsibility. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary (1884) |
| κοπιάω — kopiaō — toil, labor intensely | Verse 8 — “…laboring night and day…” | Kopiaō denotes strenuous effort. Paul models sacrificial diligence. The term demonstrates apostolic integrity. — Philip Schaff, Church History (1890) |
| νουθετέω — noutheteō — admonish, warn | Verse 15 — “…but admonish him as a brother.” | Noutheteō communicates corrective instruction rooted in love. Paul balances discipline with brotherhood. The term seeks restoration, not punishment. — Richard Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| εἰρήνη — eirēnē — peace, harmony | Verse 16 — “…the Lord of peace himself give you peace always…” | Eirēnē conveys internal and communal wholeness. Paul prays for continual divine tranquility. The term anchors the epistle’s pastoral tone. — B. F. Westcott, Revelation of the Risen Lord (1898) |
Chapter 3
Verse: "As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good." (2 Thessalonians 3:13)
Lesson: In this chapter, Paul encourages the Thessalonians to continue doing good works and to avoid idleness. He also warns them against associating with those who do not follow his teachings.
Conclusion: We must not grow weary in doing good, even when it seems difficult or unappreciated. We should also be cautious about the company we keep and seek to surround ourselves with those who will encourage us in our faith.
Prayer points: Dear God, help us to persevere in doing good and to avoid idleness. Help us to surround ourselves with those who will encourage us in our faith and keep us accountable.
