2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course,a and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonableb 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.
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.
13 But ye, brethren, bec not weary in well doing.
14 And if any man obey not our word byd 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. [The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.]
In conclusion the apostle urged them to pray for him that the preaching of the Word in other places might be with power and victory. He affirmed his confidence in them, and expressed his desire for their continual patience.
In a very practical way he rebuked those who were neglecting their earthly calling, making themselves chargeable to the care of others. As he had not withdrawn himself from the ordinary avocation of his life while ministering the Word to them, it was of the utmost importance that they should walk by the same rule. The true attitude of "waiting for the Son" is ever unceasing fidelity to all the responsibilities of the present.
In view of this, the apostle laid down the principle that "if any will not work, neither let him eat." Any view of life which makes work distasteful and causes its neglect is wrong.
The letter closes with the apostle's words of tender desire for these Thessalonian Christians. He does not forget their troublous circumstances, and he supremely desires peace for them. However, for him, peace is associated only with the Lordship of Jesus, whom he here speaks of as the "Lord of peace," and whose presence he evidently considers will assure the Thessalonians that very blessing.
The personal salutation and the apostle's declaration that such signature is guarantee of the genuineness of his writing were for their safeguarding against spurious communications, such as had caused them trouble in the matter of the Advent. There is the addition of one little word in this final benediction as compared with its form in the first Epistle. It is the word "all." Thus the apostle takes in those whom he had been rebuking and correcting, and so reveals the greatness of his heart and his love.