Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Thessalonians 3:13

ενκακησητε in B* (εγκ-אA 37 39 47), ενκακειτε in D*; εκκακησητε in D cGKLP &c., with εκκακειτε in Dam. Cf. note on ενκαυχασθαι, 2 Thessalonians 1:4.

13. Ὑμεῖς δέ, ἀδελφοί, μὴ ἐνκακήσητε καλοποιοῦντες. But for yourselves, brothers, do not falter in right-doing. The writers turn from the offending section to the body of their readers: cf. the (supposed) opposite transition in παρακαλοῦμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, and note. Ἐν-κακέω (not ἐκ-κακέω) is a favourite Pauline term—2 Corinthians 4:1; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Galatians 6:9; Ephesians 3:13, also Luke 18:1—to become κακός, to flag, fail in a thing. Καλο-ποιοῦντες (hap. leg. for the compound; Romans 7:21; 2 Corinthians 13:7; Galatians 6:9; James 4:17 exhibit the components) points to a quality of conduct—“doing the fair, noble thing”—as distinguished from ἀγαθο-ποιεῖν, “benefiting,” Mark 3:4; cf. notes on ἀγαθός and καλός, 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Philippians 4:8 supplies a rich enumeration of the Christian καλά. The above rebuke of περιεργάζεσθαι and the commendation of ἡσυχία, if not thus guarded, might have damped the ardour of some whose activity was praiseworthy. The misconduct of the unruly was of a nature to discourage zealous friends of the Gospel.

The present participle with ἐνκακήσητε is of the type of that following παύομαι (cf. Ephesians 1:16, &c.) and other verbs signifying a moment of action, the participle stating that in the course of which the condition denoted by the principal verb arises. Μή is construed in prohibitions with subjunctive aorist (but impv. present; see 2 Thessalonians 3:15); cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Another paronomasia (see 2 Thessalonians 3:11) is traceable in ἐνκακήσητε—καλοποιοῦντες: cf. Romans 7:21; Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 5:14; also Galatians 4:18; 1 Timothy 3:13; Matthew 21:41.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Thessalonians 3:13

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