John Calvin Commentary 2 Thessalonians 3:4

"And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command." — 2 Thessalonians 3:4 (ASV)

We have confidence. By this preface, he prepares the way to give the instruction, which we will find him adding immediately afterward. For the confidence which he says he has concerning them made them much more ready to obey than if he had required obedience from them in a way of doubt or distrust.

He says, however, that this hope, which he cherished concerning them, was founded upon the Lord, since it is His role to bind their hearts to obedience and to keep them in it; or by this expression (as appears to me more probable), he meant to testify that it is not his intention to command anything except by the Lord's commandment.

Here, accordingly, he sets limits for himself regarding commanding, and for them regarding obeying—that it should be only in the Lord. All, therefore, who do not observe this limitation, resort to Paul’s example in vain, intending to bind the Church and subject it to their laws.

Perhaps he also had this in mind, so that the respect due to his apostleship might remain undiminished among the Thessalonians, however much the wicked might attempt to deprive him of the honor that belonged to him; for the prayer which he immediately adds tends toward this goal. For if men’s hearts continue to be directed toward love to God, and patient waiting for Christ, other things will be in a desirable state, and Paul declares that he desires nothing else.

From this it is clear how very far he is from seeking dominion specifically for himself. For he is satisfied if they persevere in love to God and in the hope of Christ’s coming. By following his expression of confidence with prayer, he admonishes us that we must not lessen our eagerness in prayer because we cherish good hope.

However, since he states here concisely the things that he knew to be most necessary for Christians, let everyone endeavor to become proficient in these two things, to the extent that he desires to make progress toward perfection. And, undoubtedly, the love of God cannot reign in us unless brotherly love is also practiced.

Waiting for Christ, on the other hand, teaches us to practice contempt of the world, mortification of the flesh, and endurance of the cross. At the same time, the expression might be explained as meaning the patience of Christ—that which Christ’s doctrine produces in us—but I prefer to understand it as referring to the hope of ultimate redemption.

For this is the only thing that sustains us in the warfare of this present life: that we wait for the Redeemer. Furthermore, this waiting requires patient endurance amid the continual trials of the cross.