ANALYSIS OF THE CHAPTER.

THIS chapter is made up of exhortations and directions in regard to the performance of various Christian duties.

(1.) The apostle asks their prayers, 2 Th 3:1,2. He desires them to pray particularly that the true religion might be prospered, and that in preaching the gospel, he might be delivered from the opposition of unreasonable and wicked men.

(2.) He expresses confidence that God would incline them to do what was right, and prays that he would keep their hearts in his love, and in patient waiting for the Saviour, 2 Th 3:3-5.

(3.) He commands them to remove from their number those who were disorderly, and especially those who were idle; and addresses an earnest exhortation to this class, that they would be diligently engaged in the prosecution of the business of their appropriate callings, 2 Th 3:6-12.

(4.) He exhorts them not to be weary in doing well, 2 Th 3:13.

(5.) He directs that if any one should not obey the commands given in this epistle, he should be noted, and they were to separate themselves from him. Yet they were not to regard him as an enemy, but to admonish him as a brother, 2 Th 3:14,15.

(6.) The epistle closes with the usual salutations, 2 Th 3:16-18.

Verse 1. Finally, brethren, pray for us. That is, for Paul, Silas, and Timothy, then engaged in arduous labours at Corinth. This request for the prayers of Christians is one which Paul often makes. See Barnes "1 Th 5:25".

That the word of the Lord may have free course. That is, the gospel. The margin is "run". So also the Greek. The idea is, that it might meet with no obstruction, but that it might be carried abroad with the rapidity of a racer out of whose way every hinderance was removed. The gospel would spread rapidly in the earth if all the obstructions which men have put in its way were removed; and that they may be removed should be one of the constant subjects of prayer.

And be glorified. Be honoured; or appear to be glorious.

As it is with you. It is evident from this Paul met with some obstructions in preaching the gospel where he was then labouring. What they were, he mentions in the next verse. He was then at Corinth, (see the Introduction,) and the history in the Acts of the Apostles informs us of the difficulties which he had to encounter there. See Ac 18.

{1} "free course" "run"