It is required of those who have professed Christianity, that they live according to the precepts of the Gospel, that they be not accounted disorderly persons devoid of the divine love and hope which they profess. If Christ is allowed to direct our love upon Himself, it will rectify all our affections toward men and keep us in the attitude of expectation of His momentary coming.
II Thessalonians 3
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
¶ The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.
II Thessalonians 3 Intro – J. Vernon McGee
II Thessalonians 3:1-2 – J. Vernon McGee
II Thessalonians 3:3-7 – J. Vernon McGee
II Thessalonians 3:8 – J. Vernon McGee
II Thessalonians 3:9 – J. Vernon McGee
II Thessalonians 3:10 – J. Vernon McGee
II Thessalonians 3:11-18 – J. Vernon McGee
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 – Guarded from Evil.
Paul was now preaching at Corinth, and he asks that the gospel may “have free course” (v. 1). Oh, for a divine impatience, that we may be content with nothing short of this! When unreasonable and wicked men try you, turn to the Lord, who is faithful to his promises and to his saints. The stronger the gales of opposition and hatred, the deeper should we become established and rooted in the truth. (Meyer)
II Thessalonians 3:5—The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
“Direct” is used of the apostle’s own coming to these beloved converts in 1 Thessalonians 3:11. It is as though he asked that their hearts might travel easily and swiftly along the road which leads into the love of God, and the patience which, untiring, waits for Christ.
The love of God. — We urgently need, for many reasons, to be brought into the love of God. Only so can our selfishness be conquered and expelled; only so can we become like God in our daily life and conversation; only this is the complete evidence to the world that our holy religion is true; only thus shall we have power to influence the lost and fallen; only so can we know God, for “he that loveth not knoweth not God” (1 John 4:8). But how can we learn to love? God alone can teach us and guide our way into this sacred art. His Holy Spirit must fill our hearts with his love; we must ever claim and receive it as our power for daily self-sacrifice, and we must be prepared to take every opportunity of sharing the love of God in unselfishness and thoughtfulness for those with whom we come in contact.
The Patience of Christ. — The beloved disciple confesses himself a brother and companion in the patience of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:9). We all know something of this. Longing for answers to prayers that are still delayed; yearning for the realization of hopes and ideals of which God’s Spirit has spoken to us; waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. May we be led into something of that sublime faith and patience with which Jesus sits, until all things are put under Him, and He is satisfied. (Meyer)
2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 – Separate; Industrious; Persevering.
From his high expectations of the Advent, the Apostle turns to the prosaic commonplaces of daily toil. There was need for this, because the expectation of the speedy return of Christ was disarranging the ordinary course of life and duty. People were neglecting the common round of daily tasks, and idlers were imposing on Christian generosity. Against these the Apostle sets his own example of sitting far into the night at his tent-making (1 Thessalonians 2:9). The best attitude for those that look for their Lord is not in pressing their faces against the oriel window, to behold the chariot of their returning Master, but in plying their toil with deft hands and consecrated hearts.
Note that parting salutation (v. 16), and let us believe that the God of peace is causing peace for us at all times and in all ways. Even storms are forwarding our boat to its haven, and we shall be borne in with the flood tide of his mercy. Every wind is a home wind to the child of God, setting in from the quarter of his love. Every messenger, however garbed, brings God’s salutation and benediction. (Meyer)