Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Thessalonians 3:16

"Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all." — 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (ASV)

“Now” (or perhaps more accurately “but”) once again marks a transition from command and exhortation to prayer. The prayer recognizes that ultimately God alone can bring about compliance with what Paul has asked of his readers. “Yet without the Lord’s help all your efforts will be in vain” is the thought behind this petition. “The Lord of peace” alone can make harmony among believers a reality. While this is, first and foremost, peace with God, it provides the ground for believers’ peace with one another (Ephesians 2:14–18; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:23). “At all times” asks that there be no break in the flow of Christ’s peace (cf. Jn 14:27; 16:33; Colossians 3:15); “in every way” asks that the prevalence of peace continue no matter what the outward circumstances. “The Lord be with all of you” requests what was previously guaranteed for Christians; his promise never to forsake his own provides assurance of this (Hebrews 13:5). Here is an instance of the cooperation of prayer in fulfilling what God’s purpose predetermines (cf. 1:11–12).