2Th 3 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Thess 3:1-5: 3:1-5 Before taking up the final topic of the letter (3:6-15 ), Paul requests prayer (3:1-2 ) and assures the Thessalonians of God’s providence in troubles (3:3-5 ). 3:1 pray: The prayer that the gospel would spread rapidly recalls Ps 147:15 . Paul merges the image with reference to the games (see 1 Cor 9:24-26 ; Gal 2:2 ) in which a victor was honored .

Summary for 2Thess 3:1-5: 3:1-5 ^a Before taking up the final topic of the letter (3:6-15 ^b), Paul requests prayer (3:1-2 ^c) and assures the Thessalonians of God’s providence in troubles (3:3-5 ^d). 3:1 ^e pray: The prayer that the gospel would spread rapidly recalls Ps 147:15 ^f. Paul merges the image with reference to the games (see 1 Cor 9:24-26 ^g; Gal 2:2 ^h) in which a victor was honored.
3:2 ⁱ Paul, too, suffered for the Good News (2 Cor 6:5 ^j; 11:23-26 ^k; 1 Thes 2:2 ^l). His prayer to be rescued echoes Isa 25:4 ^m.
3:3 ⁿ The sufferings the Thessalonians faced were caused by the evil one (or by evil; see 2:9 ^o; cp. 1:4-6 ^p; 1 Thes 1:6 ^q; 2:14 ^r).
3:5 ^s The prayer that God would lead (literally make straight) their hearts reflects an Old Testament expression (1 Chr 29:18 ^t; Prov 23:19 ^u). Christians are expected to love as God loves and practice patient endurance as Christ endured.
Summary for 2Thess 3:6-15: 3:6-15 ^v In his previous letter, Paul had addressed the problem of lazy members of the church who refused to work (1 Thes 4:11-12 ^w; 5:14 ^x). Some had ignored his message and example, so he gives additional instruction for dealing with these members. 3:6 ^y Paul’s command is given by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thes 4:2 ^z).

• Church members should shun Christians who live idle lives (see 2 Thes 3:7 ^aa, 11-13 ^ab; 1 Thes 5:14 ^ac). To stay away from the lazy would make a strong impression on them (Matt 18:17 ^ad; Rom 16:17 ^ae; 1 Cor 5:9-13 ^af), promoting shame (2 Thes 3:14 ^ag) and repentance, but stopping short of excommunication (3:15 ^ah).
3:7 ^ai Teaching by example was highly regarded in the ancient world. Paul himself provided an example by working for his own food (3:8 ^aj; 1 Thes 2:9 ^ak).
3:8 ^al without paying for it: Although Paul taught that workers in the Christian church could receive pay for their labor (3:9 ^am; see Matt 10:10 ^an; 1 Cor 9:7-14 ^ao; 1 Tim 5:17-18 ^ap), he did not take advantage of that privilege (1 Thes 2:9 ^aq; 2 Thes 3:6-10 ^ar).
3:9 ^as Paul had distanced himself from others in the culture who were motivated by fame and money (1 Thes 2:5 ^at).
3:10 ^au Work is the appropriate way to gain a living (see Gen 3:17-19 ^av; Ps 128:2 ^aw; Prov 10:4 ^ax). Paul absolves the church of the responsibility of feeding other believers who refuse to work.
3:12 ^ay Paul underscores the strength of the command by appealing to the authority of the Lord Jesus (as in 3:6 ^az; 1 Thes 4:1-2 ^ba).

• settle down: i.e., lead a quiet life instead of being involved in meddlesome activities (see 1 Thes 4:11 ^bb).
3:13 ^bc doing good: The Thessalonians were exhorted to reach out and help those in genuine need (see Gal 6:9-10 ^bd), in contrast with those who are lazy and dependent (2 Thes 3:7-8 ^be, 10 ^bf).
3:14 ^bg Paul hoped that the disobedient Christians would be ashamed and repent (see study note on 3:6) in response to being shunned by the community.
3:15 ^bh Don’t think of them as enemies: In the ancient world, social relations with enemies were broken off and punitive action was initiated against them. Paul warns the Thessalonians that discipline against disobedient Christians (3:14 ^bi) should not result in this kind of attack. Rather, the church should treat them as members of the family, with the hope that they would correct their conduct (1 Thes 5:12 ^bj, 14 ^bk).
3:16 ^bl The final prayer echoes Jesus’ blessing in John 14:27 ^bm (cp. Num 6:26 ^bn) and contrasts with the situation these believers faced in Thessalonica (2 Thes 1:4-10 ^bo; 1 Thes 2:14 ^bp). Paul was always conscious of the Lord Jesus’ presence with his people (Rom 15:33 ^bq; Phil 4:9 ^br).
3:17 ^bs A secretary had written this letter for Paul (Rom 16:22 ^bt; 1 Pet 5:12 ^bu). Now Paul takes the pen to add a final greeting in his own hand (cp. 1 Cor 16:21 ^bv; Gal 6:11 ^bw; Col 4:18 ^bx; Phlm 1:19 ^by). Because he suspected that a letter he had not written was circulating under his name (2 Thes 2:2 ^bz), he emphasizes this authenticating procedure to prove this letter is from him.
3:18 ^ca Ancient letters frequently ended with a wish for health or prosperity, but Paul’s blessing is much grander: He calls on the Lord Jesus Christ to grant grace to the recipients (see 1 Thes 5:28 ^cb).