PRAY FOR US

Passage: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

Key verse: 1

NIV

Request for Prayer

3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,(A) pray for us(B) that the message of the Lord(C) may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.(D) 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people,(E) for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful,(F) and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.(G) 4 We have confidence(H) in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts(I) into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Warning Against Idleness

6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,(J) we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from(K) every believer who is idle and disruptive(L) and does not live according to the teaching[a] you received from us.(M) 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.(N) We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked(O) night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help,(P) but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.(Q) 10 For even when we were with you,(R) we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work(S) shall not eat.”

11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.(T) 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ(U) to settle down and earn the food they eat.(V) 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.(W)

14 Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them,(X) in order that they may feel ashamed.(Y) 15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.(Z)

Final Greetings

16 Now may the Lord of peace(AA) himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.(AB)

17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand,(AC) which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.(AD)

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or tradition
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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Pray for Us

3 Finally, brothers,[a] (A)pray for us, that (B)the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,[b] as happened among you, 2 and (C)that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For (D)not all have faith. 3 But (E)the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and (F)guard you against (G)the evil one.[c] 4 And (H)we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5 May the Lord (I)direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Warning Against Idleness

6 Now we command you, brothers, (J)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (K)that you keep away from any (L)brother (M)who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know (N)how you ought to imitate us, because (O)we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but (P)with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was (Q)not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves (R)an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: (S)If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you (T)walk in idleness, not busy at work, but (U)busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.[d]

13 As for you, brothers, (V)do not grow weary in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and (W)have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 (X)Do not regard him as an enemy, but (Y)warn him as a brother.

Benediction

16 Now may (Z)the Lord of peace himself (AA)give you peace at all times in every way. (AB)The Lord be with you all.

17 I, Paul, write (AC)this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18 (AD)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 6, 13
  2. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 Or glorified
  3. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Or evil
  4. 2 Thessalonians 3:12 Greek to eat their own bread
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. May the message spread and be honored (1-5) We are encouraged to pray for the gospel message to spread rapidly and to be honored. The Lord's message brings salvation and eternal life to anyone who believes. We are also to pray for gospel workers to be delivered from evil people who reject the message. Indeed, the Lord is faithful and strengthens and protects his people. May God's name be honored and praised and his kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven! 2. Warn an idle person (6-18) Our hope in God's kingdom and faith in Jesus' second coming should not be excuses for idleness. Believers should not be idle, disruptive nor busybodies. Believers should not burden others for food. Believers should work for their food and settle down. They should strive to do good in every area of life. The apostles set this example for the Thessalonians. We, too, should follow their good example. We ought to warn idle believers and not associate with them.

Prayer: Lord, help us to be responsible and to share the gospel. Please spread your message and grant that it may be honored by those who hear it.

One Word: Share the gospel; always do good