2 Thessalonians Chapter 3 Breakdown

1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.

Paul asks the Thessalonians to pray for the apostles. He asks for the apostles to be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men. He then points out, not all men have faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

YHWH will encourage you, presumably through the Holy Spirit. He will also guard you from the evil one, so long as you believe and have faith in Him.

4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.

The apostles are confident the Thessalonians will do and have been doing the things the apostles told them to do. These things come straight from Scripture.

5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

YHWH is the director of the hearts of the Thessalonians toward love and the patience of Yeshua’s return.

6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which they received from us.

Paul tells them not to associate with men who “walk” disorderly and against the traditions given to them by the apostles. The word walk used here is significant considering Paul has used it several times before in his letters to the Thessalonians and the original Hebrew meaning of the word. Again, the traditions Paul and the apostles were teaching were the very same traditions Yeshua kept while He walked on the earth. They are the traditions of the Father, found in the Torah. There is absolutely no way around this fact.

7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

The Thessalonians already know how to follow the apostles. The apostles made sure not to burden anyone while in the city. They walked as an example of how to behave. This is exactly what Yeshua did and this is what Paul says.

1 Corinthians 11:1

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

It is clear, we are to be following the example set by Christ. Paul did this and commanded all believers to do the same.

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

Paul paraphrases from several passages of the Old Testament here and he says the apostles commanded it this way. Again, I see this as reinforcement for the idea Paul was preaching the traditions of YHWH against the traditions of men.

Genesis 3:19

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Proverbs 13:4

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Proverbs 20:4

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Proverbs 21:25

The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.

There seems to have been an issue with men choosing not to work but wanting everything for free. They preferred to go around stirring up trouble such as arguments and dissentions.

12 Now those who are such we command and encourage through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

Those who choose to go around causing problems should be removed from the group. They are not welcome at the gatherings and should stay home to eat their own food alone.

13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

True believers should not allow themselves to become drained or tired of doing good works.

14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.

If any of the believers are not following or obeying the commands Paul is sending in this letter, they should be shunned from the group and be ashamed of their unrighteous deeds.

15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Even doing this, he is not an enemy, but should be warned to turn away from sinful deeds.

16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Paul gives his closing salutation.

17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.

He points out it is his letter based on his signature.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Paul’s ending.