Mark Dunagan Commentaries

2 Thessalonians 3:1

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified, even as also it is with you”

“Finally”: God writes organized letters, with introductions, greetings, logical arguments and final observations. These letters were not collections of Paul's personal "notes", or just random thoughts loosely connected together. “Pray for us”: The present continuous tense is here used, “so that it means ‘pray continually'” (Morris p. 244). “Once again Paul comes to the end of. letter with the request that his people should pray for him (1 Thessalonians 5:25; Romans 15:19 ff; Philemon 1:22). There is something deeply moving in the thought of this giant among men asking for the prayers of the Thessalonians who so well recognized their own weakness” (Barclay p. 250). We need to remember that Paul is speaking to people who are suffering (2 Thessalonians 1:4), yet to suffering people, to people in. tough situation, Paul says, among other things: be grateful (1 Thessalonians 5:18); be happy (2 Thessalonians 5:16); do not retaliate (2 Thessalonians 5:15); and pray for us (2 Thessalonians 3:1). Notice how Paul does not "pity" them. God seems to have the view that people can better handle life when they get their minds off of themselves, and especially, when they do not view the sufferings they encounter as some "strange thing" (1 Peter 4:12). Sometimes we say to people, "I don't know how you are able to hold up under this trial". From these letters, Paul would say something more like, "God is faithful, and. am persuaded that you will remain faithful as well" (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

“That”:. specific request that he wishes that they would pray about. “The word of the Lord”: Fields notes, “Notice how unselfish Paul's prayer was. He did not ask for prayers for his own ease, but only that the word of God may make progress” (p. 224). Paul is very careful to always define the gospel as “the Lord's message” (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 14:37; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Galatians 1:11). “May run”: “Spread rapidly” (TCNT). “Continue to spread” (Wms). See Psalms 147:15; Acts 12:24. “Have swift progress through the world” (Vincent p. 68). “It is clear that when Paul first preached at Thessalonica there were spectacular results. Many were speedily converted. It is this kind of free movement of the word of God that he has in mind” (Morris p. 244). “The idea is of the swift and victorious spread of the gospel” (Marshall p. 213). “How different this verse sounds from popular denominational expressions. Men say, ‘Pray for. great moving of the Spirit'. Paul said, ‘Pray that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified'” (Fields p. 225). “Paul's desire was not that the Word never meet obstacles, but rather that it swiftly advance in its onward course despite those obstacles” (Denton Lectureship p. 274).

Paul constantly was concerned about the progress of the gospel (Ephesians 6:19; Colossians 4:3). This verse infers that the word of God is not. lifeless message (Hebrews 4:12). This message is vital, if men and women are going to be saved (Romans 1:16).

“Glorified”: To render glorious, honor and magnify. “Received everywhere with honor” (TCNT). “The Thessalonians are asked to pray that the gospel may run well, run fast, and that, wherever it goes, it may have. ‘glorious reception'” (Stott p. 185). The gospel deserves from us. proper reception. “The way in which people give praise and honor to the gospel by receiving it with faith and thanksgiving” (Marshall p. 213). We only truly honor God, when we honor what He said (Luke 6:46; John 14:15). Unfortunately, even some religious groups demonstrate disrespect for the word of God when they claim that it is confusing, contradictory, filled with myth or corruption. Read Romans 1:16 or Hebrews 4:12 and one will find what Christians had to say about God's word. See also Psalms 19:1 and Psalms 119:1. Morris notes that "run" and "glorified", “are in the present subjunctive. Paul is not looking for. single striking manifestation of the word, but for its continuous swift advance, and for its continual arousing of admiration” (p. 245).

“Even as also it is with you”: The gospel deserves to be received in the way that these Christians had embraced it (1 Thessalonians 1:5). “As far as Paul was concerned, the Word of the Lord could not run too fast nor too far, nor receive too much glory in the hearts of men” (Denton Lectureship p. 275).

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Mark Dunagan Commentaries

2 Thessalonians 3:1

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