Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Thessalonians 3:2

"and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for all have not faith." — 2 Thessalonians 3:2 (ASV)

Again, Paul asked prayer for deliverance “from wicked and evil men.” “Wicked” (GK 876) labels them as capable of outrageous and harmful acts against others; “evil” (GK 4505) speaks of persons not only themselves thoroughly corrupted but intent on corrupting others and drawing them into their own slide toward perdition. Who were they? The best suggestion ties these “wicked and evil men” to unbelieving Jews in Corinth where Paul was encountering opposition as he wrote (Acts 18:5–6, 12–13). As Paul wrote this second letter, he was facing a severe crisis in Corinth.

Evil people exist because “not everyone has faith.” This understatement effectively highlights the large number of those who have not responded to the Gospel by believing in Christ. That the persecutors had had the opportunity to believe but had rejected it accounts for their vicious reaction against the message and those who preached it.