Bible Commentaries
2 Thessalonians 3

Verse 1

Finally [το λοιπον] . See on 1 Thessalonians 4:1.

May have free course [τρεχη] . More literally, simply, and better, may run. Have swift progress through the world. An O. T. idea. See Psalms 147:15, and comp. Isaiah 55:11 and Acts 12:24.

Be glorified [δοξαζηται] . Acknowledged in its true power and glory. Comp. John 12:28. The phrase the word of the Lord - be glorified, only here.

Verse 2

Unreasonable [ατοπων] . See on Luke 23:41, and comp. Acts 25:5; Acts 28:6. In LXX in a moral sense, iniquitous, Job 4:8; Job 11:11; Job 34:12. The word originally means out of place.

All men have not faith. See on Acts 6:7; Galatians 1:28.

Verse 3

From evil [απο του πονηρου] . Possibly, from the evil one. To ponhron evil is found Romans 12:9; Matthew 5:39; but general N. T. usage favors the masculine, personal sense. See Matthew 13:19, Matthew 13:38; Ephesians 6:16; Ephesians 1:0 F. ii. 13, 14; iii. 12; 5 18. In LXX, to ponhron evil is very common : oJ ponhrov a few times, but always of men. See Deuteronomy 24:7; Esther 7:6; Job 21:30. In Job. iii. 8, 17, to ponhron daimonion the wicked demon. The masculine is favored by the Jewish formularies, of which traces appear in the Lord 's prayer; by the unanimous tradition of Greek interpreters; by the interpretations of Tertullian and Cyprian, and by the evidence of the Syriac and Sahidic Versions. 36

Verse 5

Hearts [καρδιας] . See on Romans 1:21; Romans 10:10; Ephesians 1:18.

Patient waiting for Christ [υπομονην του χριστου] . Rather patience of Christ. The prayer is that their hearts may be directed to love God and to exhibit the patience of Christ 37

Verse 6

Withdraw yourselves from [στελλεσθαι υμας απο] . Stellesqai, P o. In the active voice, to place, arrange, equip : in the middle voice, to provide for, take care. See 2 Corinthians 8:20. Here with ajpo from, to place one's self away from.

Disorderly [ατακτως] . This adverb, the verb ajtaktew, and the adjective ataktov are found only in Paul, and only in the Thessalonian Epistles. See on 1 Thessalonians 5:14.

Verse 7

Follow [μιμεισθαι] . Better, imitate. Comp. 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6.

Verse 8

Any man's bread [αρτον παρα τινος] . Lit. bread from any one, or at any man's hand.

For nought [δωρεαν] . The word is a noun, meaning a gift. See John 4:10; Acts 2:38; Romans 5:15. The accusative often adverbially as here; as a gift, gratis. Comp. Matthew 10:8; Romans 3:24; Revelation 21:6. Labor and travail. See on 1 Thessalonians 1:3.

Be chargeable [επιβαρησαι] . P o. Better, burden. By depending upon them for pecuniary support. Comp. 1 Corinthians 9:3-18, and see on 1 Thessalonians 2:6.

Verse 9

Power [εξουσιαν] . Better, right. See on Mark 2:10; John 1:12.

Verse 10

If any would not work, etc. A Jewish proverb.

Verse 11

Working not at all - busybodies [μηδεν εργαζομενους - περιεργαζομενους] . One of Paul 's frequent wordplays. See on reprobate mind, Romans 1:28. Not busy, but busybodies. Periergazesqai (N. T. o.) is to bustle about a thing : here, to be officious in others' affairs. See on ta perierga curious arts, Acts 19:19, and 1 Timothy 5:13.

Verse 12

With quietness - work. See on study to be quiet, 1 Thessalonians 4:11.

Verse 13

Be not weary [εντραπη] . With one exception, Luke 13:1, only in Paul. To faint or lose heart.

Well doing [καλοποιουντες] . N. T. o. According to the Greek idiom, doing well, be not weary. Not limited to works of charity, but including Christian conduct generally, as, for instance, steadily attending to their own business, ver. 12.

Verse 14

By this epistle. Connect with our word. The message we send in this letter. Not, as some, with the following words, note that man in your epistle.

Note [σημειουσθε] . N. T. o. Lit. set a mark on. The nature of the mark is indicated in the next clause.

Have no company with [μη συναναμιγνυσθαι] . P o. See on 1 Corinthians 5:9.

Be ashamed [εντραπη] . See on Matthew 21:37, and 1 Corinthians 4:14.

Verse 15

Admonish [νουθετειτε] . See on Acts 20:31, and Ephesians 6:4.

Verse 16

The Lord of peace [ο κυριος της ειρηνης] . The only instance of the formula.

By all means [εν παντι τροπω] , or in every way. The alternative reading topw place is rejected by the principal texts.

Verse 17

The salutation of Paul with mine own hand [ασπασμος τη εμη χειρι παυλου] . Rev. properly, "the salutation of me Paul." The genitive of me is contained, according to a familiar Greek idiom, in the possessive pronoun my. Paul had apparently been employing an amanuensis.

In every epistle. Comp. 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18.