Free Bible Commentary
“2 Thessalonians 3:1-5”
Categories: 2 Thessalonians“Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
Paul knew he needed the powerful prayers of his faithful brethren to help propel him along the paths of life, and to help keep him safe as he proliferated the word of God. But Paul’s prayer request was not a selfish one. His main concern was that “the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified” (verse 1). If Paul encouraged Christians to pray for the spread of the Gospel in his lifetime, then God’s people need to be petitioning the Lord for the successful dissemination of the word today as well.
God tells us clearly and confidently that the word which goes forth from His mouth will not return to Him empty, without accomplishing what He desires, and without succeeding in the matter for which He sent it (Isaiah 55:11). But do not underestimate the capacity of our prayers to assist the reach of God’s word into the hearts of sinful men. The Gospel is powerful (Hebrews 4:12), and so are the prayers of righteous people (James 5:16). What a potent pair the word of the Lord and the prayers of His people are in achieving His good and perfect will!
Unfortunately, when a door opens for the spread of the Gospel, Satan often slips through as well. Humanity’s greatest adversary wastes no time in trying to discourage young converts to the truth and defeat their fledgling faith in the Lord. This was true for the Christians in Thessalonica (1:3-4), and the deceiver has not changed his tactics through the ages. But, our God is exponentially stronger than the slanderer, and He is faithful to “strengthen and protect you from the evil one” (verse 3).
Take courage in knowing that, if you belong to Christ, the power of the Creator of the Universe is on your side to help you and protect you from eternal harm. If you devote yourself to the word and to prayer, the Lord will “direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ” (verse 5). When we acquire a good understanding of how much the Lord truly loves us, that knowledge will help us, and HE will help us, to possess a firm resolve to remain faithful until the very end!
You are invited to worship God with us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ.
We assemble at 3741 Taylorsville Road in Louisville Kentucky.
9:30 AM Bible classes for all ages. 10:30 PM and 5:00 PM worship services.
Please read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
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