Chapter Three
2 Thess. 3:1. Finally, pray for us, brethren, that the word of the Lord may spread and be glorified, just as it is with you,
He himself had previously prayed for them, that they might be established in the faith; now he asks them to pray for him, not asking that he not be subjected to dangers (for he had devoted himself to this), but that "the word of the Lord may spread and be glorified." Here the request is joined with praise: "as," he says, "among you," so that all might likewise submit to it, as you did. Thus the apostle asks nothing for himself personally, but everything for God's sake.
2 Thess. 3:2. And that we may be delivered from disorderly and wicked men, for not all have faith.
The Apostle speaks of those who objected to his preaching and were hostile to the dogmas of the faith, such as Alexander the coppersmith. He hinted at this by saying: "for faith is not in all," that is, not all believe, but only the worthy. Just as if someone were to say that not all are deemed worthy to serve in the imperial army, but only those fit for it. At the same time he also encourages them, presenting them as having such boldness before God that their prayer can contribute to the success of the preaching of their very teacher. He subtly gives them to understand also about the dangers inflicted upon him by those who opposed the word. And it is no small consolation for them that Paul, being so great, was still struggling with dangers.
2 Thess. 3:3. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
Above he said: God "chose you" "for salvation," meaning: chose for Himself. So then, faithful, that is, true is God, and He will undoubtedly accomplish what He began; and He will strengthen you, as we prayed, so that you will no longer be shaken, and He will preserve you, so that Satan will not overcome you.
2 Thess. 3:4. We are confident in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things which we command you.
After the apostle prayed for the Thessalonians and said: God is faithful and will certainly complete the work of salvation begun in you, but lest you think that everything depends only on God and therefore give yourselves over to laziness, he now requires cooperation on their part as well, as if saying: God is faithful and will undoubtedly fulfill His work, but on the condition that you also labor. Notice the wisdom of the apostle. He did not simply say: "we are confident about you," but "in the Lord," that is, we trust in the loving-kindness of God, that it will fill you with strength, in order to show them that everything depends on God. And he did not simply say: "we are confident in the Lord," but: "about you," and: "you do and will do," so that they, attributing everything to God, would not become lazy. One must entrust everything to God, but in such a way as to act oneself as well. He was not satisfied to say: "you do," but added: "you will do," showing that we must be zealous for virtue until our very last breath.
2 Thess. 3:5. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
Again he prays for them, showing his care for them. Since he intended to reproach some of them, he first softens their hearts, to show that he gives them that instruction out of great love. And so he said: "The Lord direct your hearts," that is, may He cause them to go on the right path and not turn aside from it. For many things lead one astray from the right path of love: both covetousness, and vainglory, and sorrows, and temptations. These and many other things do not allow us to walk toward the love of God and to love Him as we ought. And the words "into the patience of Christ" understand either thus: that we may endure as He endured, or thus: that we may wait for Christ with patience and not despair, but firmly believe that He will fulfill what He promised. Having spoken of patience, the apostle hinted at sorrows. And he joined patience with love because to love God means to endure all things for His sake, without murmuring, with good cheer. By "the Lord" understand here "the Spirit," as Basil the Great noted.
2 Thess. 3:6. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
We have often said that by "charge" Paul means a more strict instruction. So also in the present case, giving a more strict instruction, he says: it is not we who command, but Christ. For what I say, He says. And He nowhere commanded to give oneself over to idleness.
2 Thess. 3:6. to withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly,
That is, to withdraw from everyone who lives disorderly, that is, without occupation, whether he be rich, or poor, or holy. For those who refuse useful pursuits usually quickly fall into idle talk and indifference. And this is precisely disorder. In what way? In this way: whoever does nothing goes out of the order (rank) established by the teacher. Therefore the apostle adds the following.
2 Thess. 3:6. but not according to the tradition which they received from us,
The tradition which I handed down to you in my actions, having become a pattern for you, for properly speaking this is tradition.
2 Thess. 3:7. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; for we did not behave disorderly among you,
2 Thess. 3:8. Nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge,
We did not behave disorderly, that is, we did not remain in idleness. By "disorderliness" the apostle here means doing nothing, as he did above. For God ordained that man should be in labor, and for this purpose furnished him with members suited to it; so that whoever remains idle steps out of the order of God. Note that the apostle called "free bread" what he received as sustenance from them. But it was not free, because he was preaching. And the laborer is worthy of his sustenance.
2 Thess. 3:8. but engaged in labor and work night and day,
Pay attention to the intensification of the speech. If those whom we have taught something do not honor us for God's sake, we become indignant, as if we had received the most grievous insult.
2 Thess. 3:8. so as not to burden any of you,
Especially burdensome is to take from one's listeners. In the present case, this is precisely what the apostle is speaking about, because the Thessalonians were poor.
2 Thess. 3:9. Not because we do not have the right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate us.