2 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: FINALLY, [ To (G3588) loipon (G3063)] - 'As to what remains.' PRAY FOR US - as I have prayed for you (2 Thessalonians 2:16). MAY HAVE FREE COURSE, [ trechee (G5143)] - 'may run,' without a drag on the wheels of its course. That the now-creating word may 'run' as "swiftly" as the creative word at the first (Psalms 147:15). The opposite is, the word of God "bou...

1_Pray for us_. Though the Lord powerfully aided him, and though he surpassed all others in earnestness of prayer, he nevertheless does not despise the prayers of believers, by which the Lord would have us aided. It becomes us, after his example, eagerly to desire this aid, and to stir up our brethren to pray for us. When, however, he adds — _that the word of God may have its course_, he shows that he has not so much concern and regard for himself personally, as for the entire Church. For why does he desire to be recommended to the prayers of the Thessalonians? That the doctrine of the gospel may _have its course_. He does not desire, therefore, so much that regard should be had to himself individually, as to the glory of God and the common welfare of the Church. _Course _means here dissemination; (692) _glory _means something farther, — that his preaching may have its power and effi

1-5 Those who are far apart still may meet together at the throne of grace; and those not able to do or receive any other kindness, may in this way do and receive real and very great kindness. Enemies to the preaching of the gospel, and persecutors of its faithful preachers, are unreasonable and wicked men. Many do not believe the gospel; and no wonder if such are restless and show malice in their endeavours to oppose it. The evil of sin is the greatest evil, but there are other evils we need to be preserved from, and we have encouragement to depend upon the grace of God. When once the promise is made, the performance is sure and certain. The apostle had confidence in them, but that was founded upon his confidence in God; for there is otherwise no confidence in man. He prays for them for spiritual blessings. It is our sin and our misery, that we place our affections upon wrong objects....

CHAPTER III. _The apostle recommends himself and his brethren to the prayers_ _of the Church, that their preaching might be successful, and_ _that they might be delivered from wicked men_, 1, 2. _Expresses his confidence in God and them, and prays that they_ _may patiently wait for the coming of Christ_, 3-5. _Gives them directions concerning strict discipline in the_ _Church; and shows how he and his fellow labourers had behaved_ _among them, not availing themselves of their own power and_ _authority_, 6-9. Shows them how to

FINALLY, BRETHREN, PRAY FOR US - That is, for Paul, Silas, and Timothy, then engaged in arduous labors at Corinth. This request for the prayers of Christians is one which Paul often makes; see the notes, 1 Thessalonians 5:25. THAT THE WORD OF THE LORD MAY HAVE FREE COURSE - That is, the gospel. The margin is “run.” So also the Greek. The idea is, that it might meet with no obstruction, but that it might be carried abroad with the rapidity of a racer out of whose way every hindrance was removed. The gospel would spread rapidly in the earth if all the obstructions which men have put in its way were removed; and that they may be removed should be one of the constant subjects of prayer. AND BE GLORIFIED - Be honored; or appear to be glorious....

EXPOSITION CONTENTS.—The apostle now comes to the conclusion of his Epistle. He beseeches the Thessalonians for an interest in their prayers, that the gospel may be rapidly diffused and glorified by numerous conversions, and that he and his fellow workers may be enabled to preach it unhindered by the opposition of their enemies. He expresses his confidence that the Lord will preserve them from evil and render them obedient to his instructions, it being his earnest prayer for them that they might be directed into the love of God and the patience of Jesus Christ. The apostle then proceeds to admonish them on account of the disorderly conduct which many of them exhibited. He had heard that there were some among them who walked disorderly, and who, either from dread or from excitement on account of their belief in the immediate coming of the Lord, had desisted from their worldly employments....

FINALLY, BRETHREN, PRAY FOR US,.... The apostle now proceeds to the last and closing part of the epistle, which respects church discipline, and the removing of disorderly persons from their communion; and introduces it with a request to pray for him, and the rest of his fellow ministers, particularly Silvanus and Timothy, who joined with him in this epistle: he signifies that nothing more remained; this was the last he had to say, that they, "the brethren", not the preachers of the word only, but the members of the church, would be solicitous for them at the throne of grace; as it becomes all the churches, and the several members of them, to pray for their ministers: with respect to their private studies, that they might be directed to suitable subjects; that their understandings might be opened to understand the Scriptures; that their gifts might be increased, and they be more and more...

2 Thessalonians 3:1. _Finally, brethren, pray for us,_ «Pray for us,» says the apostle, «pray for myself and the brethren who are with me, pray for all the apostles and preachers of the Word.» «Finally, brethren.» If this were the last word we had to say to you, we would make just this request, «Finally, brethren, pray for us.» You cannot tell how much God's servants are helped by the prayers of his people. The strongest man in Israel will be the better for the prayers of the weakest saint in Zion. If you can do nothing else, you can pray for us; therefore, day and night, be ye at the mercy-seat on our behalf: «Finally, brethren, pray for us.» 2 Thessalonians 3:1. _That the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:_

III. THANKSGIVING, PRAYER, EXHORTATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS Chapter S 2:13-3:18 _ 1. Thanksgiving and prayer (2 Thessalonians 2:13)_ 2. Prayer for the Word and for deliverance (2 Thessalonians 3:1) 3. Exhortations (2 Thessalonians 3:6) 4. Conclusions (2 Thessalonians 3:16) 2 Thessalonians 2:13 What blessed reasons are stated here to give thanks to God for what He has done for us and for all who believe! Brethren, beloved of

2 THESSALONIANS 3. FINAL COUNSELS AND EXHORTATIONS. The apostle (_a)_ asks for the prayers of the Thessalonian Christians on his own behalf (2 Thessalonians 3:1); (_b_) warns them against dis orderly conduct (2 Thessalonians 3:6); (_c_) concludes with a bene diction (2 Thessalonians 3:16). 2 THESSALONIANS 3:1. The request for prayer contains two points: (_a)_ that the word of the Lord may make rapid progress; (_b_) that the apostle and his followers may be delivered from their opponents. The character of the opposition is not specified, but