The Bible — World English Bible

2 Thessalonians 3

In brief

The last chapter of Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians brings us back down to earth: how do we live while waiting for Christ to return? Paul first asks for prayer, then declares that the Lord is faithful. He then corrects those who, convinced that the end was near, had stopped working. He points to his own example of hard work, sets out the rule about work, and calls the church to stay brotherly toward the one who goes wrong, without treating him as an enemy.

The chapter in 4 parts

  1. v. 1-5Pray, and count on the Lord's faithfulness
  2. v. 6-12Work, and do not live in disorder
  3. v. 13-15Do not grow weary of doing good, and correct with brotherly care
  4. v. 16-18The peace of the Lord and a closing blessing of grace

1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you,

2and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for not all have faith.

3But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

4We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command.

5May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love, and into the perseverance of Christ.

6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us.

7For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you,

8neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you,

9not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.

10For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.”

11For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies.

12Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.

13But you, brothers, don’t be weary in doing what is right.

14If any man doesn’t obey our word in this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.

15Don’t count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.

17The greeting of me, Paul, with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter: this is how I write.

18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Key verses

Verse 3
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

Surrounded by wicked people and trials, Paul leans on one fact: the Lord is faithful. He is the one who strengthens and guards from the evil one, not the strength of the believer.

Verse 5
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love, and into the perseverance of Christ.

Paul prays that the hearts of believers would be directed toward the love of God and the patience of Christ. Christian perseverance is guided by God before it is a personal effort.

Verse 10
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.”

This rule was aimed at those who refused to work while waiting for the end. It does not concern someone who cannot work, but someone who will not.

Verse 13
But you, brothers, don’t be weary in doing what is right.

After the correction comes an encouragement: do not grow weary of doing good. Tiredness and discouragement also lie in wait for the one who does what is right.

Bible verses to meditate on

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What the sermons say

Don't Grow Weary of Doing Good Every DayThis sermon from Zion Church in Numazu reads the chapter as three supports for daily life: pray, follow healthy examples and sound teaching, and let the Spirit lead you.Read the summary →Living as Children of the Day: The Return of ChristIt reminds us that waiting for Jesus to return is no reason to sit back. Some Thessalonians had stopped working, and Paul answers them with verse 10.Read the summary →Anxiety, Mammon's Chain: Jesus Sets You FreeIn a series on God or Mammon, verse 10 serves as a safeguard: depending on God is not the same as being lazy. The real question is what you build your hope on.Read the summary →Is Your Family Blocking Your Prayers? The Priority God DemandsThe preacher cites verse 10 when speaking about the responsibility of someone who starts a family: working and providing for your own is part of taking that commitment seriously.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about 2 Thessalonians 3

What does 2 Thessalonians 3:10 mean?

Paul recalls an instruction he gave while he was with them: if someone is unwilling to work, let him not eat either. It was addressed to those who lived in disorder, doing nothing while waiting for Christ to return. It does not target people who are unable to work because of illness or circumstances, whom the church is called to support.

What is the message of 2 Thessalonians 3?

Waiting for the return of Jesus does not excuse us from living in practical ways. The chapter calls us to pray, to rely on the Lord's faithfulness, to work honestly, to follow good examples and not to grow weary of doing good. It also asks us to correct with brotherly care the one who strays.

What does it mean not to grow weary of doing good?

In verse 13, Paul speaks to tired believers, perhaps let down by those who took advantage of the situation. He encourages them to keep acting with justice and generosity despite the wear. Perseverance in everyday life, often quiet and unnoticed, is a concrete way of waiting for the Lord.

Articles quoting 2 Thessalonians 3

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World English Bible translation — public domain.