Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Thessalonians 3:1

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified, even as also [it is] with you;" — 2 Thessalonians 3:1 (ASV)

Second Thessalonians Chapter 3

Analysis of the Chapter.

This chapter is made up of exhortations and directions regarding the performance of various Christian duties.

1. The apostle asks for their prayers (2 Thessalonians 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 God would keep their hearts in His love, and in patient waiting for the Savior (2 Thessalonians 3:3–5).

3. He commands them to remove from their number those who are disorderly, and especially those who are idle. He also addresses an earnest exhortation to this group, that they should be diligently engaged in the work of their appropriate callings (2 Thessalonians 3:6–12).

4. He exhorts them not to grow weary in doing good (2 Thessalonians 3:13).

5. He directs that if anyone does not obey the commands given in this epistle, that person should be noted, and the believers are to separate themselves from him. Yet, they are not to regard him as an enemy but to admonish him as a brother (2 Thessalonians 3:14–15).

6. The epistle closes with the usual salutations (2 Thessalonians 3:16–18).

Finally, brethren, pray for us. That is, for Paul, Silas, and Timothy, then engaged in arduous labors at Corinth. This request for the prayers of Christians is one Paul often makes (see Barnes on 1 Thessalonians 5:25).

That the word of the Lord may have free course. This refers to the gospel. The margin reads run, which is also the sense of the Greek.

The idea is that it might meet no obstruction but be carried abroad with the speed of a racer whose path is clear of every hindrance. The gospel would spread rapidly throughout the earth if all the obstructions people have placed in its way were removed; therefore, praying for their removal should be a constant subject of prayer.

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

As it is with you. It is evident from this that Paul met with some obstructions in preaching the gospel where he was then laboring.

He mentions what these obstructions were 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 he had to encounter there (see Acts 18).