Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament · 2 Thessalonians Kabanata 3

Finally (τὸ λοιπὸν)

See on 1 Thessalonians 4:1.

May have free course (τρέχῃ)

More literally, simply, and better, may run. Have swift progress through the world. An O.T. idea. See Psalm 147:15, and comp. Isaiah 55:11 and Acts 12:24.

Be glorified (δοξάζηται)

Acknowledged in its true power and glory. Comp. John 12:28. The phrase the word of the Lord - be glorified, only here.

Unreasonable (ἀτόπων)

See on Luke 23:41, and comp. Acts 25:5; Acts 28:6. In lxx in a moral sense, iniquitous, Job 4:8; Job 11:11; Job 34:12. The word originally means out of place.

All men have not faith

See on Acts 6:7; see on Galatians 1:23.

From evil (ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ)

Possibly, from the evil one. Τὸ πονηρόν evil is found Romans 12:9; Matthew 5:39; but general N.T. usage favors the masculine, personal sense. See Matthew 13:19, Matthew 13:38; Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:14; 1 John 3:12; 1 John 5:18. In lxx, τὸ πονηρόν evil is very common: ὁ πονηρὸς a few times, but always of men. See Deuteronomy 24:7; Esther 7:6; Job 21:30. In Tob 3:8, 17, τὸ πονηρόν δαιμόνιον the wicked demon. The masculine is favored by the Jewish formularies, of which traces appear in the Lord's prayer; by the unanimous tradition of Greek interpreters; by the interpretations of Tertullian and Cyprian, and by the evidence of the Syriac and Sahidic Versions.

Hearts (καρδίας)

See on Romans 1:21; see on Romans 10:10; see on Ephesians 1:18.

Patient waiting for Christ (ὑπομονὴν τοῦ χριστοῦ)

Rather patience of Christ. The prayer is that their hearts may be directed to love God and to exhibit the patience of Christ.

Withdraw yourselves from (στέλλεσθαι ὑμᾶς ἀπὸ)

Στέλλεσθαι, Po. In the active voice, to place, arrange, equip: in the middle voice, to provide for, take care. See 2 Corinthians 8:20. Here with ἀπὸ from, to place one's self away from.

Disorderly (ἀτάκτως)

This adverb, the verb ἀτακτέω, and the adjective ἄτακτος are found only in Paul, and only in the Thessalonian Epistles. See on 1 Thessalonians 5:14.

Follow (μιμεῖσθαι)

Better, imitate. Comp. 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6.

Any man's bread (ἄρτον παρά τινος)

Lit. bread from any one, or at any man's hand.

For nought (δωρεὰν)

The word is a noun, meaning a gift. See John 4:10; Acts 2:38; Romans 5:15. The accusative often adverbially as here; as a gift, gratis. Comp. Matthew 10:8; Romans 3:24; Revelation 21:6.

Labor and travail

See on 1 Thessalonians 1:3.

Be chargeable (ἐπιβαρῆσαι)

Po. Better, burden. By depending upon them for pecuniary support. Comp. 1 Corinthians 9:3-18, and see on 1 Thessalonians 2:6.

Power (ἐξουσίαν)

Better, right. See on Mark 2:10; see on John 1:12.

If any would not work, etc.

A Jewish proverb.

Working not at all - busybodies (μηδὲν ἐργαζομένους - περιεργαζομένους)

One of Paul's frequent wordplays. See on reprobate mind, Romans 1:28. Not busy, but busybodies. Περιεργάζεσθαι (N.T.o.) is to bustle about a thing: here, to be officious in others' affairs. See on τὰ περίεργα curious arts, Acts 19:19, and see on 1 Timothy 5:13.

With quietness - work

See on study to be quiet, 1 Thessalonians 4:11.

Be not weary (ἐντραπῇ)

With one exception, Luke 13:1, only in Paul. To faint or lose heart.

Well doing (καλοποιοῦντες)

N.T.o. According to the Greek idiom, doing well, be not weary. Not limited to works of charity, but including Christian conduct generally, as, for instance, steadily attending to their own business, 2 Thessalonians 3:12.

By this epistle

Connect with our word. The message we send in this letter. Not, as some, with the following words, note that man in your epistle.

Note (σημειοῦσθε)

N.T.o. Lit. set a mark on. The nature of the mark is indicated in the next clause.

Have no company with (μὴ συναναμίγνυσθαι)

Po. See on 1 Corinthians 5:9.

Be ashamed (ἐντραπῇ)

See on Matthew 21:37, and see on 1 Corinthians 4:14.

Admonish (νουθετεῖτε)

See on Acts 20:31, and see on Ephesians 6:4.

The Lord of peace (ὁ κύριος τῆς εἰρήνης)

The only instance of the formula.

By all means (ἐν παντὶ τρόπῳ)

Or in every way. The alternative reading τόπῳ place is rejected by the principal texts.

The salutation of Paul with mine own hand (ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ χειρὶ Παύλου)

Rev. properly, "the salutation of me Paul." The genitive of me is contained, according to a familiar Greek idiom, in the possessive pronoun my. Paul had apparently been employing an amanuensis.

In every epistle

Comp. 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18.