2 Thessalonians 2:17

comfort your hearts Comp. ch. 2 Thessalonians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; and the similar expression in Colossians 2:2. The "heart" is the inward man, the seat of our thoughts and emotions (see note, 1 Thessalonians 2:4); there doubt and fear arise, which can be allayed only by Divine comforting. For this verb, comp. note on "consolation" above, and on 1 Thessalonians 3:2.

and stablish you in every good word add work Rather, establish them, i.e. your hearts, understood from the last clause. This expression was previously used in 1 Thessalonians 3:13, see note. The Apostle does not mean, "May God make you steadfast in saying and doing all that is good," for the "heart" neither speaks nor works; but rather, "May God give you courage and confidence of heart in all good that you say or do." He knows that they are busy in doing good (1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:10), and he would have them do it with a good and cheerful heart (comp. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).