2 Thessalonians 3

General context

The writers ask for prayer that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified as it is among the readers, and that they be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men, since all men have not faith. Against that they set the Lord's faithfulness to stablish the readers and keep them from evil, state confidence that the readers both do and will do what is commanded, and pray that the Lord direct their hearts into the love of God and into patient waiting. A command follows: withdraw from every brother that walketh disorderly and not after the tradition received from the writers. The ground is their own example, since they did not behave disorderly, ate no man's bread for nought, and wrought with labour and travail night and day so as not to be chargeable, not for lack of power but to be an ensample. The rule given while present is repeated, that if any would not work, neither should he eat, and the writers say they have heard of some who walk disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Such people are commanded to work with quietness and eat their own bread, while the rest are told not to be weary in well doing. Anyone who does not obey the word of this epistle is to be noted and avoided so that he may be ashamed, yet counted not as an enemy but admonished as a brother. The letter ends with a prayer for peace, a salutation written with the writer's own hand as the token in every epistle, and grace.

Cited passages: 2 Thessalonians 3:1, 2 Thessalonians 3:2, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:4, 2 Thessalonians 3:5, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 2 Thessalonians 3:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:8, 2 Thessalonians 3:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:10, 2 Thessalonians 3:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:12, 2 Thessalonians 3:13, 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 2 Thessalonians 3:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, 2 Thessalonians 3:17, 2 Thessalonians 3:18

2 Thessalonians 3 (KJV)

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Historical context

Two pieces of information about the writers' situation appear here. They have received a report, stated only as we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, with no messenger named, and they are facing opposition, described only as unreasonable and wicked men, with no place or persons given. The chapter also establishes how the letter is to be authenticated: the salutation is written by hand and called the token in every epistle, which answers the earlier warning about a letter as from us. The disciplinary instruction is stated in full, to note such a man and keep no company with him, and it is limited in the next line, admonish him as a brother. No names are given for the disorderly, and no explanation for why they have stopped working. After the final grace this source prints a line saying the second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens; the letter itself names no place of writing.

Cited passages: 2 Thessalonians 3:2, 2 Thessalonians 3:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 2 Thessalonians 3:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:17, 2 Thessalonians 3:18, 2 Thessalonians 2:2

Literary context

Prayers frame the instruction. The chapter opens with a request for prayer and a statement that the Lord is faithful, and closes with the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means, so the discipline in between sits inside petition rather than standing alone. The word command recurs through the section and is joined once with its softer partner, we command and exhort. The writers argue from example before argument, placing their own labour and travail night and day beside the charge against some who are working not at all, but are busybodies. The last instruction is immediately qualified, count him not as an enemy, and the letter then closes with the writer's own hand as its seal.

Cited passages: 2 Thessalonians 3:1, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 2 Thessalonians 3:8, 2 Thessalonians 3:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:12, 2 Thessalonians 3:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, 2 Thessalonians 3:17

Key moments

1. Pray for free course (2 Thessalonians 3:1). The writers ask prayer that the word run and be glorified.
2. Withdraw from the disorderly (2 Thessalonians 3:6). A command is given to keep away from those walking disorderly.
3. Labour night and day (2 Thessalonians 3:8). The writers point to their own work as an example.
4. No work, no bread (2 Thessalonians 3:10). The writers repeat a rule they gave in person.
5. Busybodies, not workers (2 Thessalonians 3:11). A report says some among them are idle and meddling.
6. Not an enemy (2 Thessalonians 3:15). The avoided brother is still to be admonished as a brother.
7. Written with his own hand (2 Thessalonians 3:17). The salutation is given as the mark of a genuine letter.

For reflection

The letter tells the readers to withdraw from a disorderly brother and in the same breath to admonish him as a brother. How can a community hold both at once?

People in this chapter

• Jesus Christ
• Paul