Bible Commentaries

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, brethren, … — Quod superest, το λοιπον , That which yet remains, brethren. Ministers have never done, but have somewhat more to say ( Redit labor actus in orbem ) when they have said their utmost.

Pray for us — As he had done for them, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 . See the like,1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:25 . See Trapp on " 1 Thessalonians 5:23 " See Trapp on " 1 Thessalonians 5:24 " Oh, pray (said a dying Dutch divine) that God would preserve the gospel: Pontifex enim Rom. et Concilium Tridentinum mira moliunfur, For the pope and his Trent conventicle are plotting strange businesses.

May have free course — Gr. πρεχη , may run its race, as the sun doth, Psalms 19:4-5 . Eusebius saith that the gospel spread at first through the world like a sunbeam. (Hist. ii. 3.)

And be glorified — As it was, Acts 13:48 . The word never worketh till it be received with admiration.

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And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

From unreasonable — ατοπων , men compact of mere incongruities, solecising in opinion, speeches, actions.

For all men have not faith — And are therefore unreasonable; nothing is more irrational than irreligion. An unbeliever is no better (but in some respects worse) than a beast; a brutish person skilful to destroy, Ezekiel 21:31 .

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But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

But God is faithful — Though men be faithless; and though they be evil, as 2 Thessalonians 3:2 , yet he shall keep you from evil, from whatsoever adverse power either of men or devils. Thus the saints may find and fetch comfort from God under whatsoever disasters. They go always under a double guard, the peace of God within them, Philippians 4:7 , φρουρησει , and the power of God without them, 1 Peter 1:5 , φρουρουμενοι . How then can they possibly miscarry?

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And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

That ye both do and will do — Qui monet ut facias quod iam facis, ille monendo laudat, … Here the apostle, like an orator, entereth their bosoms; and by praising their present obedience, artificially wresteth from them a redoubled diligence; Virtus laudata creseit. Thus being crafty, he catcheth them with guile, as he did those Corinthians, 2 Corinthians 12:16 . It must be an elaborate discourse that shall work upon the heart.

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And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

And the Lord direct — Or rectify your crooked hearts and distorted affections, that stand across to all good, till God set them to rights, κατευθυναι . Men’s persuasions are but as a key to a lock that is out of order, unless God cooperate.

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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.

Now we command you — To show how hardly we are divided from evil company, as loth to depart as Lot’s wife out of Sodom, Velut canis famelicus ab uncto corio.

That ye withdraw yourselves — That ye shun them as studiously as the seaman doth a rock or shelf, στελλεσθαι , Nautarum proprium.

From every brother that walketh disorderly — From every profligate professor, and carnal gospeller, that walketh contra gnomonem et Canonem Decalogi, cuique vita est incomposita, et pessime morata (as an interpreter speaketh), contrary to God, and to every good work reprobate.

And not after the tradition — sc. That men should sweat out their living, and earn it before they eat it. Sin brought in sweat, Genesis 3:19 . And now, not to sweat, increaseth sin.

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For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

For yourselves know — You idle addleheads, Applied contemptuously to one whose intellect seems muddled. ŒD 2 Thessalonians 3:11 . For these he here directs his speech, that by doing nothing, had learned at length to do naughtily. Nihil agendo male agere discimus.

We behaved not ourselves disorderly — Gr. ητακτησαμεν , We brake not our ranks, as unruly soldiers.

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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:

Any man’s bread for nought — But earned it before we eat it. Bread should not be eaten, till it sweat in a man’s hand, or head.

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