2 Thessalonians 3:1
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you.
Finally, brothers
The word "Finally" indicates that Paul is drawing his letter to a close, summarizing his key requests and exhortations. The Greek word used here is "λοιπόν" (loipon), which often serves as a transition to a concluding thought. "Brothers" (ἀδελφοί, adelphoi) reflects the familial bond among believers, emphasizing unity and shared faith. This term is inclusive, addressing both men and women in the congregation, and highlights the early Christian community's sense of kinship.

pray for us
The Greek verb "προσεύχεσθε" (proseuchesthe) is an imperative, underscoring the importance and urgency of prayer. Paul, despite his apostolic authority, humbly requests the prayers of the Thessalonian believers, acknowledging the power and necessity of intercession. This reflects a deep-seated belief in the efficacy of prayer as a means of divine intervention and support in the ministry.

that the word of the Lord
"The word of the Lord" refers to the gospel message, the good news of Jesus Christ. In Greek, "ὁ λόγος τοῦ Κυρίου" (ho logos tou Kyriou) signifies not just spoken words but the divine message that carries authority and power. This phrase underscores the centrality of the gospel in Paul's mission and the transformative impact it has on individuals and communities.

may spread quickly
The Greek term "τρέχῃ" (trechē) literally means "to run." Paul uses this metaphor to convey the idea of rapid and unhindered dissemination of the gospel. The imagery suggests a sense of urgency and vitality, as if the message itself is alive and eager to reach new territories and hearts. Historically, this reflects the early church's missionary zeal and the dynamic spread of Christianity across the Roman Empire.

and be held in honor
The phrase "be held in honor" translates the Greek "δοξάζηται" (doxazētai), which means "to be glorified." Paul desires that the gospel not only spread but also be received with reverence and respect. This reflects a hope that the message will be recognized for its divine origin and transformative power, leading to genuine worship and acknowledgment of God's glory.

just as it was with you
Here, Paul points to the Thessalonians' own experience as a model. The phrase "καθὼς καὶ πρὸς ὑμᾶς" (kathōs kai pros hymas) suggests that the Thessalonian believers had already embraced the gospel with enthusiasm and reverence. This serves as both a commendation of their faith and an encouragement for them to pray that others might experience the same transformation. Historically, the Thessalonian church was known for its faith and perseverance, making them an exemplary community in the early Christian world.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
- The apostle who authored the letter to the Thessalonians, seeking prayer support for his ministry.

2. Thessalonian Church
- The recipients of the letter, a community of believers in Thessalonica who had previously received the Gospel with honor.

3. The Word of the Lord
- Refers to the Gospel message that Paul desires to spread rapidly and be honored.

4. Brothers
- Fellow believers in Christ, indicating the close relationship and shared mission among Christians.

5. Prayer
- The act of communicating with God, which Paul requests from the Thessalonians to support his mission.
Teaching Points
The Power of Prayer in Ministry
Prayer is essential for the success and spread of the Gospel. Paul’s request underscores the importance of intercessory prayer in supporting those who preach and teach the Word.

The Honor of the Gospel
The Gospel should be held in high esteem. Believers are called to live in a way that honors the message of Christ, reflecting its transformative power.

The Role of the Community
The church community plays a vital role in the mission of spreading the Gospel. Each member is encouraged to participate through prayer and support.

The Urgency of the Mission
The phrase "spread quickly" indicates the urgency of sharing the Gospel. Believers should be proactive and intentional in their evangelistic efforts.

Consistency in Faith
Just as the Thessalonians honored the Gospel, believers today are encouraged to maintain a consistent and faithful witness to the truth of Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Paul's request for prayer in 2 Thessalonians 3:1 reflect the importance of community support in ministry?

2. In what ways can we ensure that the Gospel is "held in honor" in our own lives and communities?

3. How can the example of the Thessalonian church inspire us to be more effective in spreading the Gospel today?

4. What are some practical ways we can support missionaries and church leaders in their efforts to spread the Word of the Lord?

5. How does understanding the urgency of the Gospel mission influence our daily interactions and priorities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 6:7
- Demonstrates how the word of God spread rapidly and was honored, similar to Paul's request in 2 Thessalonians 3:1.

Colossians 4:3-4
- Paul also asks for prayer for the spread of the Gospel, showing a consistent theme in his letters.

Philippians 1:12-14
- Illustrates how the Gospel can advance even in difficult circumstances, emphasizing the power of prayer and God's sovereignty.

Romans 15:30-31
- Paul requests prayer for his ministry, highlighting the importance of intercessory prayer in the early church.

1 Thessalonians 1:8
- The Thessalonians' faith had already been a model for others, showing the impact of the Gospel being honored.
Confidence in PrayerScottish Christian Herald2 Thessalonians 3:1
Prayer and SuccessGeorge S. Mort, D. D.2 Thessalonians 3:1
Prayer for MinistersJ. Burnet.2 Thessalonians 3:1
Prayer for MissionsW.F. Adeney 2 Thessalonians 3:1
Spreading the GospelDr. Wayland.2 Thessalonians 3:1
The Diffusion of the GospelJ. Cumming, D. D.2 Thessalonians 3:1
The Glorification of the GospelJ. Fletcher, D. D.2 Thessalonians 3:1
The Gospel's ConquestsJ. Ossian Davies.2 Thessalonians 3:1
The Power of PrayerS. Martin.2 Thessalonians 3:1
The Power of PrayerC. G. Finney, D. D.2 Thessalonians 3:1
The Progress of ChristianityJoseph Cook.2 Thessalonians 3:1
The Success of the GospelJ. Brown.2 Thessalonians 3:1
The Unfettered GospelD. Fenn.2 Thessalonians 3:1
Prayer for MissionsB.C. Caffin 2 Thessalonians 3:1, 2
The Prayers of the Thessalonians Asked by the ApostleT. Croskery 2 Thessalonians 3:1, 2
Intimation of the Close of the EpistleR. Finlayson 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
People
Paul, Thessalonians
Places
Thessalonica
Topics
Asking, Brethren, Brothers, Course, Displayed, Finally, Forward, Free, Glorified, Glory, Honored, Increasing, Lord's, Message, Prayer, Rapidly, Rest, Run, Speed, Spread, Triumph
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Thessalonians 3:1

     5878   honour
     7028   church, life of
     7742   missionaries, support
     7757   preaching, effects
     8444   honouring God
     8619   prayer, in church

Library
The Lord of Peace and the Peace of the Lord
'Now the Lord of Peace Himself give you peace always, by all means. The Lord be with you all.'--2 THESS. iii. 16. We have reached here the last of the brief outbursts of prayer which characterise this letter, and bear witness to the Apostle's affection for his Thessalonian converts. It is the deepening of the ordinary Jewish formula of meeting and parting. We find that, in most of his letters, the Apostle begins with wishing 'grace and peace,' and closes with an echo of the wish. 'Peace be unto
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Love and Peace.
"The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ."--2 THESS. iii. 5, R.V. "The Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means."--2 THESS. iii. 16. It is striking to note the number of prayers in these two short Epistles to Thessalonica. They are probably the earliest of the Apostle's writings, and the frequency of his prayers is a significant testimony to his thought for his converts and their needs. Hardly less striking is the variety of the prayers,
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

The Waiting Christ.
WAITING for the coming of the Lord is one of the blessed characteristics of true Christianity. In the parable of the ten virgins the three great marks of a true believer are stated by our Lord. These are: Separation, indicated by the virgins having gone forth. Manifestation, they had lamps, which are for the giving of light, and Expectation, they went forth to meet the Bridegroom. With five of them it was only an outward profession. The foolish virgins are the type of such who are Christians
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

The Patience of Christ.
"BUT the Lord direct your hearts into the Love of God and into the Patience of Christ" (2 Thess. iii:5). With these words Paul exhorted the Thessalonian believers. They had many trials and difficulties. They suffered persecutions and were troubled. False alarms had affected their patience of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. The inspired exhortation puts before their hearts the Patience of Christ. Comfort and joy, encouragement and peace, would surely come to their hearts and strengthen them, if they
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

Thy Bidding, Holy Brother Aurelius, it was Meet that I Should Comply Withal...
1. Thy bidding, holy brother Aurelius, it was meet that I should comply withal, with so much the more devotion, by how much the more it became clear unto me Who, out of thee, did speak that bidding. For our Lord Jesus Christ, dwelling in thine inner part, and inspiring into thee a solicitude of fatherly and brotherly charity, whether our sons and brothers the monks, who neglect to obey blessed Paul the Apostle, when he saith, "If any will not work, neither let him eat," [2476] are to have that license
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

These Things, My Brother Aurelius, Most Dear unto Me...
38. These things, my brother Aurelius, most dear unto me, and in the bowels of Christ to be venerated, so far as He hath bestowed on me the ability Who through thee commanded me to do it, touching work of Monks, I have not delayed to write; making this my chief care, lest good brethren obeying apostolic precepts, should by lazy and disobedient be called even prevaricators from the Gospel: that they which work not, may at the least account them which do work to be better than themselves without doubt.
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

But when He Might Use to Work, that Is...
15. But when he might use to work, that is, in what spaces of time, that he might not be hindered from preaching the Gospel, who can make out? Though, truly, that he wrought at hours of both day and night himself hath not left untold. [2518] Yet these men truly, who as though very full of business and occupation inquire about the time of working, what do they? Have they from Jerusalem round about even to Illyricum filled the lands with the Gospel? [2519] or whatever of barbarian nations hath remained
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

For He Himself Also, with an Eye to the Like Necessities of Saints...
16. For he himself also, with an eye to the like necessities of saints, who, although they obey his precepts, "that with silence they work and eat their own bread," may yet from many causes stand in need of somewhat by way of supplement to the like sustenance, therefore, after he had thus said, teaching and premonishing, "Now them which are such we command and beseech in our Lord Jesus Christ, that with silence they work and eat their own bread;" [2521] yet, lest they which had whereof they might
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

First Then we Ought to Demonstrate that the Blessed Apostle Paul Willed the Servants...
4. First then we ought to demonstrate that the blessed Apostle Paul willed the servants of God to work corporal works which should have as their end a great spiritual reward, for this purpose that they should need food and clothing of no man, but with their own hands should procure these for themselves: then, to show that those evangelical precepts from which some cherish not only their sloth but even arrogance, are not contrary to the Apostolical precept and example. Let us see then whence the Apostle
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

Ascetic.
(i) Of the works comprised under this head, the first are the three compositions entitled Tractatus Prævii. The first, Prævia Institutio ascetica ('Asketike prodiatuposis ), is an exhortation to enlistment in the sacred warfare; the second, on renunciation of the world and spiritual perfection, is the Sermo asceticus (logos asketikos). The third, Sermo de ascetica disciplina (logos peri askeseos, pos dei kosmheisthai ton monachon), treats of the virtues to be exhibited in the life
Basil—Basil: Letters and Select Works

But He Speaks More Openly in the Rest which He Subjoins...
9. But he speaks more openly in the rest which he subjoins, and altogether removes all causes of doubting. "If we unto you," saith he, "have sown spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things?" What are the spiritual things which he sowed, but the word and mystery of the sacrament of the kingdom of heaven? And what the carnal things which he saith he had a right to reap, but these temporal things which are indulged to the life and indigency of the flesh? These however
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

Fifteenth Lesson. If Two Agree
If two agree;' Or, The Power of United Prayer Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them.--Matt. xviii. 19, 20. ONE of the first lessons of our Lord in His school of prayer was: Not to be seen of men. Enter thy inner chamber; be alone with the Father. When He has thus taught us that the
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

There Also is Said at what Work the Apostle Wrought. ...
22. There also is said at what work the Apostle wrought. "After these things," it says, "he departed from Athens and came to Corinth; and having found a certain Jew, by name Aquila, of Pontus by birth, lately come from Italy, and Priscilla his wife, because that Claudius had ordered all Jews to depart from Rome, he came unto them, and because he was of the same craft he abode with them, doing work: for they were tent-makers." [2549] This if they shall essay to interpret allegorically, they show what
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

Paul a Pattern of Prayer
"Go and inquire for one called Saul of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth."--ACTS ix. 11. "For this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting."--1 TIM. i. 16. God took His own Son, and made Him our Example and our Pattern. It sometimes is as if the power of Christ's example is lost in the thought that He, in whom is no sin, is not man as we are. Our Lord took Paul, a man
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Secondly, for Thy Words.
1. Remember, that thou must answer for every idle word, that in multiloquy, the wisest man shall overshoot himself. Avoid, therefore, all tedious and idle talk, from which seldom arises comfort, many times repentance: especially beware of rash answers, when the tongue outruns the mind. The word was thine whilst thou didst keep it in; it is another's as soon as it is out. O the shame, when a man's own tongue shall be produced a witness, to the confusion of his own face! Let, then, thy words be few,
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

We are not Binding Heavy Burdens and Laying them Upon Your Shoulders...
37. We are not binding heavy burdens and laying them upon your shoulders, while we with a finger will not touch them. Seek out, and acknowledge the labor of our occupations, and in some of us the infirmities of our bodies also, and in the Churches which we serve, that custom now grown up, that they do not suffer us to have time ourselves for those works to which we exhort you. For though we might say, "Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

The Beginning of the New Testament
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Coin of Thessalonica] Turn to the list of books given in the beginning of your New Testament. You will see that first come the four Gospels, or glimpses of the Saviour's life given by four different writers. Then follows the Acts of the Apostles, and, lastly, after the twenty-one epistles, the volume ends with the Revelation. Now this is not the order in which the books were written--they are only arranged like this for our convenience. The first words of the New Testament
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

The Clergyman and the Prayer Book.
Dear pages of ancestral prayer, Illumined all with Scripture gold, In you we seem the faith to share Of saints and seers of old. Whene'er in worship's blissful hour The Pastor lends your heart a voice, Let his own spirit feel your power, And answer, and rejoice. In the present chapter I deal a little with the spirit and work of the Clergyman in his ministration of the ordered Services of the Church, reserving the work of the Pulpit for later treatment. THE PRAYER BOOK NOT PERFECT BUT INESTIMABLE.
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

Letter ii (A. D. 1126) to the Monk Adam
To the Monk Adam [3] 1. If you remain yet in that spirit of charity which I either knew or believed to be with you formerly, you would certainly feel the condemnation with which charity must regard the scandal which you have given to the weak. For charity would not offend charity, nor scorn when it feels itself offended. For it cannot deny itself, nor be divided against itself. Its function is rather to draw together things divided; and it is far from dividing those that are joined. Now, if that
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

How those that are at Variance and those that are at Peace are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 23.) Differently to be admonished are those that are at variance and those that are at peace. For those that are at variance are to be admonished to know most certainly that, in whatever virtues they may abound, they can by no means become spiritual if they neglect becoming united to their neighbours by concord. For it is written, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (Gal. v. 22). He then that has no care to keep peace refuses to bear the fruit of the Spirit. Hence Paul
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Christian Behavior
Being the fruits of true Christianity: Teaching husbands, wives, parents, children, masters, servants, etc., how to walk so as to please God. With a word of direction to all backsliders. Advertisement by the Editor This valuable practical treatise, was first published as a pocket volume about the year 1674, soon after the author's final release from his long and dangerous imprisonment. It is evident from the concluding paragraph that he considered his liberty and even his life to be still in a very
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Fourth Commandment
Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it. Exod 20: 8-11. This
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Perseverance of Saints.
OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 1. It is said that the natural tendency of this doctrine condemns it; that it tends to beget and foster a carnal presumption in a life of sin, on the part of those who think themselves saints. There is, I reply, a broad and obvious distinction between the abuse of a good thing or doctrine, and its natural tendency. The legitimate tendency of a thing or doctrine may be good, and yet it may be abused and perverted. This is true of the atonement, and the offer of pardon through
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Links
2 Thessalonians 3:1 NIV
2 Thessalonians 3:1 NLT
2 Thessalonians 3:1 ESV
2 Thessalonians 3:1 NASB
2 Thessalonians 3:1 KJV

2 Thessalonians 3:1 Commentaries

Bible Hub
2 Thessalonians 2:17
Top of Page
Top of Page