Verses 1-2 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.
The Greek word translated as “free course” is “trecho” and it means to run, or metaphorically to have doctrine rapidly propagated and/or to spend one’s strength in preforming or attaining something. The Greek word translated as “glorified” is “doxazo” and it means to praise, to extol, to magnify, to celebrate, to honor, to do honor to, to make glorious, or to make renowned. The Apostle Paul was asking for prayer for the Gospel to spread without resistance from unrighteous and wicked men.
Application: If attending a Christian church, prayer should be offered regularly for the pastor and for the congregation so that the Gospel message can be sent forth without resistance from evil spirits and wicked people. Prayer changes things. Prayer is a gift from God and a tool that should be used along with Bible study and Christian fellowship. Yet it is probably the least used tool in the Christian believer’s arsenal. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 Proper prayer can defeat the enemy and give the victory. Try it.
Verses 3-5 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.
The Greek word translated as “stablish” is “sterizo” and it means to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix, strengthen, make firm, and to render constant. It is the LORD who saves the soul (mind, will and emotions) and it is the LORD who makes the Christian believer firm and stable in the Faith. It is the LORD who directs people in their daily walk in this Earth, and it is the LORD who will get His followers safely home to Heaven. All the believer has to do is trust and listen to His voice and walk in His Spirit.
Application: This writer has had several experiences with dying Christian believers in which these believers stated clearly just before leaving that they saw Jesus coming towards them. Although this is not a provable or scientific fact, it happens enough for this writer to believe that when passing from this physical life to life in Heaven, Jesus comes to get each of His children and escort them into eternity. This writer has not found Scripture to definitely support this, yet, but Jesus did say in John 14:2-3, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Jesus was not specific as to when He would come again and receive His people. So it makes sense He would be there to greet them when they enter into His spiritual kingdom. So whether a believer lives to see the coming of Christ to this Earth at the end of time or a believer leaves the physical body in death and goes to be with Jesus, the patient waiting for Christ is over.
Verses 6-7 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;
It is difficult to find churches today that practice church discipline as per Matthew 18. People claiming to be followers of Jesus but who do not live according to His commandments and example are allowed to remain in the body of believers where they have a negative influence. The Apostle Paul in the verses above says to withdraw or remove one’s self from these people. No exceptions are given. The Apostle uses the behavior of himself and his companions as examples of Godly behavior.
Verses 8-10 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.
Neither the Apostle Paul nor his companions took money from the church although they were worthy of financial support due to their tireless work establishing the church and spreading the Gospel. According to the Apostle Paul, if a man or woman does not work, they should go hungry, a concept completely foreign to today’s societies where government welfare is normal and the Robin Hood concept is considered fair and appropriate, where resources are forcibly taken from productive people and redistributed elsewhere.
Application: Regarding welfare systems. The original welfare system was established by God back in the Old Testament when various statutes were given to the Hebrew nation via the prophet Moses that dealt with assisting the poor and needy. It was to be a function of God’s people and not of any government. Why? So the people would learn not to be greedy and want to covet riches. Likewise, the church was tasked with the job of assisting the truly poor and needy, especially the widows and orphans. God never intended the resources of hard working men and women to be taken via government taxation for the purpose of helping the poor and needy. If the churches in all the communities in the nations did what they were supposed to do, welfare programs would not be needed and massive government agencies created to manage these welfare systems would not be needed either. God’s way is always superior to man’s ways. Think about it.
Verses 11-12 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.
The Greek word translated as “busybodies” is “periergazomai” and it means to bustle about uselessly, to busy one’s self about trifling, needless, useless matters. This can include those people who gossip and meddle in the affairs of others. If not working, people have time to get into sin and to cause trouble in the body of Christ. The Apostle Paul exerts church discipline by commanding these people to work and eat that which they supply for themselves and not to expect a handout. But at the same time, he tells the people to continue to do good works, but not exhaust themselves in so doing.
Verses 14-15 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.
The Greek word translated as “company” is “sunanamignumi” and it means to mix up together, to keep company with, or to be intimate with. If people in the church failed to obey those things written to them by the Apostle Paul and his companions, those that were being obedient needed to distance themselves from the offenders, not to deliberately hurt them, but to help them realize the error of their ways and, hopefully, to then turn about.
Verses 16-18 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. (2 Thessalonians 3)
Application: Peace is freedom from disturbance and anxiety so that there is quiet and tranquility. There is no peace in this world. Everyday there is turmoil and distress. The only place anyone can truly find peace or that place of calm and quiet is in a relationship with the one true God, the LORD Jesus Christ, God Almighty. It is when surrendered to His lordship that a man or woman finds real peace. Just as Jesus said to the wind and the stormy sea, “Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm,” (Mark 4:39) so He speaks peace for His people when in the storms of life. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27