Bible Commentaries

Finally ( τὸ λοιπὸν )

See on 1 Thessalonians 4:1.

May have free course ( τρέχῃ )

More literally, simply, and better, may run. Have swift progress through the world. An O.T. idea. See Psalm 147:15, and comp. Isaiah 55:11and Acts 12:24.

Be glorified ( δοξάζηται )

Acknowledged in its true power and glory. Comp. John 12:28. The phrase the word of the Lord - be glorified, only here.

Unreasonable ( ἀτόπων )

See on Luke 23:41, and comp. Acts 25:5; Acts 28:6. In lxx in a moral sense, iniquitous, Job 4:8; Job 11:11; Job 34:12. The word originally means out of place.

All men have not faith

See on Acts 6:7; see on Galatians 1:23.

From evil ( ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ )

Possibly, from the evil one. Τὸ πονηρόν evilis found Romans 12:9; Matthew 5:39; but general N.T. usage favors the masculine, personal sense. See Matthew 13:19, Matthew 13:38; Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:14; 1 John 3:12; 1 John 5:18. In lxx, τὸ πονηρόν evil is very common: ὁ πονηρὸς a few times, but always of men. See Deuteronomy 24:7; Esther 7:6; Job 21:30. In Tobit 3:8,17, τὸ πονηρόν δαιμόνιον thewicked demon. The masculine is favored by the Jewish formularies, of which traces appear in the Lord's prayer; by the unanimous tradition of Greek interpreters; by the interpretations of Tertullian and Cyprian, and by the evidence of the Syriac and Sahidic Versions.

Hearts ( καρδίας )

See on Romans 1:21; see on Romans 10:10; see on Ephesians 1:18.

Patient waiting for Christ ( ὑπομονὴν τοῦ χριστοῦ )

Rather patience of Christ. The prayer is that their hearts may be directed to love God and to exhibit the patience of Christ.

Withdraw yourselves from ( στέλλεσθαι ὑμᾶς ἀπὸ )

Στέλλεσθαι, PoIn the active voice, to place, arrange, equip: in the middle voice, to provide for, take care. See 2 Corinthians 8:20. Here with ἀπὸ fromto place one's self away from.

Disorderly ( ἀτάκτως )

This adverb, the verb ἀτακτέω , and the adjective ἄτακτος are found only in Paul, and only in the Thessalonian Epistles. See on 1 Thessalonians 5:14.

Follow ( μιμεῖσθαι )

Better, imitate. Comp. 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philemon 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6.

Any man's bread ( ἄρτον παρά τινος )

Lit. bread from any one, or at any man's hand.

For nought ( δωρεὰν )

The word is a noun, meaning a gift. See John 4:10; Acts 2:38; Romans 5:15. The accusative often adverbially as here; as a gift, gratis. Comp. Matthew 10:8; Romans 3:24; Revelation 21:6.

Labor and travail

See on 1 Thessalonians 1:3.

Be chargeable ( ἐπιβαρῆσαι )

PoBetter, burden. By depending upon them for pecuniary support. Comp. 1Thessalonians href="/desk/?q=1th+2:6&sr=1"> Verse 9

Power ( ἐξουσίαν )

Better, right. See on Mark 2:10; see on John 1:12.

If any would not work, etc.

A Jewish proverb.

Working not at all - busybodies ( μηδὲν ἐργαζομένους - περιεργαζομένους )

One of Paul's frequent wordplays. See on reprobate mind, Romans 1:28. Not busy, but busybodies. Περιεργάζεσθαι (N.T.ois to bustle about a thing: here, to be officious in others' affairs. See on τὰ περίεργα curiousarts, Acts 19:19, and see on 1 Timothy 5:13.

With quietness - work

See on study to be quiet, 1 Thessalonians 4:11.

Be not weary ( ἐντραπῇ )

With one exception, Luke 13:1, only in Paul. To faint or lose heart.

Well doing ( καλοποιοῦντες )

N.T.oAccording to the Greek idiom, doing well, be not weary. Not limited to works of charity, but including Christian conduct generally, as, for instance, steadily attending to their own business, 2 Thessalonians 3:12.

By this epistle

Connect with our word. The message we send in this letter. Not, as some, with the following words, note that man in your epistle.

Note ( σημειοῦσθε )

N.T.oLit. set a mark on. The nature of the mark is indicated in the next clause.

Have no company with ( μὴ συναναμίγνυσθαι )

PoSee on 1 Corinthians 5:9.

Be ashamed ( ἐντραπῇ )

See on Matthew 21:37, and see on 1 Corinthians 4:14.

Admonish ( νουθετεῖτε )

See on Acts 20:31, and see on Ephesians 6:4.

The Lord of peace ( ὁ κύριος τῆς εἰρήνης )

The only instance of the formula.

By all means ( ἐν παντὶ τρόπῳ )

Or in every way. The alternative reading τόπῳ place is rejected by the principal texts.

The salutation of Paul with mine own hand ( ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ χειρὶ Παύλου )

Rev. properly, “the salutation of me Paul.” The genitive of me is contained, according to a familiar Greek idiom, in the possessive pronoun my. Paul had apparently been employing an amanuensis.

In every epistle

Comp. 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18.