DAVID FRAMPTON
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
1. After praying for the Thessalonians, Paul asks for prayer for those who minister the gospel. There ought to be a reciprocity of prayer among the members of the heavenly Father's family. This is one of the duties that those who are taught owe to their teachers.
2. The prayer for ministers in this section is focused on their ministry of the Lord's message. It is the message of the Lord because it tells of the Lord and he is the author of it. Observe again how true Christianity addresses the minds of people.
3. Paul presents requests for both the progress and the affect of the word. He desires that many people will be reached with the message. This shows that we ought to pray that the gospel of Christ may quickly spread to all the peoples of the world.
Apply: Think of the unreached people groups, and of those other people groups who are steadily losing contact with the message of grace.
4. We should pray for the influence of the gospel on those to whom it comes. The spiritual man desires that it will be honored; that is, that people will recognize that it is God's word and so receive it properly. Cf. 1 Th 2:13; Ac 13:46-52.
5. Secondly, we should also pray for the safety of the preachers of the word. In our free culture, we, thankfully, have not had major difficulties in this area. What a far different situation in the ancient Roman Empire, the countries of medieval Europe, and many modern dictatorships! Paul was in constant physical difficulties due to persecution. 2 Cor 6:3-10; 10:23-27
Comment: It is proper to pray for physical safety and to seek it. The New Testament Scriptures do not teach us to desire martyrdom. Mt 10:23; Ac 19:30-31
6. Paul states the character of his oppressors: "wicked and evil men". They are the kind who actively seek what is contrary to God's law. They are like this because "not everyone has faith". The presence of faith in Christ in a life changes that life, for one is committed to the living God, who is holy. But wicked men lack that faith and so are in rebellion against the Lord. "Paul is clearly stressing that his opponents come from among those to whom the Christian verities mean nothing." [Morris]
7. Note also that faith is not resident in every human heart. The person who is without God and grace has no faith, for saving faith is a gift of God. Eph 2:8; Ph 1:29
8. Even though there is danger from the wickedness of the unbelieving, Paul has confidence in the faithfulness of God. We must not adopt the unbeliever's worldview that looks at life apart from God. "He is here and he is not silent." The Lord is active in his universe.
9. Since the Lord is faithful or reliable, he will strengthen them, as Paul has prayed (2:17), and he will also protect them. God guards his people constantly. This is what makes our hope a confident expectation. Wherever we are, we are safe in God's care for as long as he wills for our earthly pilgrimage to continue.
10. The Greek is best translated "the evil one" as in the NIV, due to the context. Cf. Mt 6:13. In Luther's words,
"The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him."
11. "Paul is resting his confidence on the Lord, and saying that this gives him confidence also in the Thessalonians. Because of the faithfulness of the Lord, who perfects that which he begins in those who trust Him (see Phil 1:6), Paul knows that he can rely on the Thessalonians." [Morris]
12. Paul concludes this section with a petition that their hearts (inner persons) might be directed to tow objects. Notice that the Lord is able to direct the hearts of people. So then, what a powerful resource prayer is! He asks that their hearts may be directed to God's great love for us and Christ's perseverance for his people. See Jn 6:39-40; 10:27-28; 14:3; 17:24-25; Rm 8:35-39; Heb 7:25
1. After praying for the Thessalonians, Paul asks for prayer for those who minister the gospel. There ought to be a reciprocity of prayer among the members of the heavenly Father's family. This is one of the duties that those who are taught owe to their teachers.
2. The prayer for ministers in this section is focused on their ministry of the Lord's message. It is the message of the Lord because it tells of the Lord and he is the author of it. Observe again how true Christianity addresses the minds of people.
3. Paul presents requests for both the progress and the affect of the word. He desires that many people will be reached with the message. This shows that we ought to pray that the gospel of Christ may quickly spread to all the peoples of the world.
Apply: Think of the unreached people groups, and of those other people groups who are steadily losing contact with the message of grace.
4. We should pray for the influence of the gospel on those to whom it comes. The spiritual man desires that it will be honored; that is, that people will recognize that it is God's word and so receive it properly. Cf. 1 Th 2:13; Ac 13:46-52.
5. Secondly, we should also pray for the safety of the preachers of the word. In our free culture, we, thankfully, have not had major difficulties in this area. What a far different situation in the ancient Roman Empire, the countries of medieval Europe, and many modern dictatorships! Paul was in constant physical difficulties due to persecution. 2 Cor 6:3-10; 10:23-27
Comment: It is proper to pray for physical safety and to seek it. The New Testament Scriptures do not teach us to desire martyrdom. Mt 10:23; Ac 19:30-31
6. Paul states the character of his oppressors: "wicked and evil men". They are the kind who actively seek what is contrary to God's law. They are like this because "not everyone has faith". The presence of faith in Christ in a life changes that life, for one is committed to the living God, who is holy. But wicked men lack that faith and so are in rebellion against the Lord. "Paul is clearly stressing that his opponents come from among those to whom the Christian verities mean nothing." [Morris]
7. Note also that faith is not resident in every human heart. The person who is without God and grace has no faith, for saving faith is a gift of God. Eph 2:8; Ph 1:29
8. Even though there is danger from the wickedness of the unbelieving, Paul has confidence in the faithfulness of God. We must not adopt the unbeliever's worldview that looks at life apart from God. "He is here and he is not silent." The Lord is active in his universe.
9. Since the Lord is faithful or reliable, he will strengthen them, as Paul has prayed (2:17), and he will also protect them. God guards his people constantly. This is what makes our hope a confident expectation. Wherever we are, we are safe in God's care for as long as he wills for our earthly pilgrimage to continue.
10. The Greek is best translated "the evil one" as in the NIV, due to the context. Cf. Mt 6:13. In Luther's words,
"The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him."
11. "Paul is resting his confidence on the Lord, and saying that this gives him confidence also in the Thessalonians. Because of the faithfulness of the Lord, who perfects that which he begins in those who trust Him (see Phil 1:6), Paul knows that he can rely on the Thessalonians." [Morris]
12. Paul concludes this section with a petition that their hearts (inner persons) might be directed to tow objects. Notice that the Lord is able to direct the hearts of people. So then, what a powerful resource prayer is! He asks that their hearts may be directed to God's great love for us and Christ's perseverance for his people. See Jn 6:39-40; 10:27-28; 14:3; 17:24-25; Rm 8:35-39; Heb 7:25