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Pauline Letters · WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE

2 Thessalonians 3

Paul corrects confusion about the day of the Lord and commends steadfast work.

New Testament

2 Thessalonians 3

1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you,

2and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for not all have faith.

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

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

5May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and into the perseverance of Christ.

6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion and not after the tradition which they received from us.

7For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you,

8neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you.

9This was not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.

10For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.”

11For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies.

12Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.

13But you, brothers, don’t be weary in doing what is right.

14If any man doesn’t obey our word in this letter, note that man and have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.

15Don’t count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.

17I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter. This is how I write.

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

READ IN CONTEXT

Before applying this chapter

Paul corrects confusion about the day of the Lord and commends steadfast work. Read 2 Thessalonians 3 within the complete 2 Thessalonians overview, and use the contextual Bible reading guide before forming a personal application. Chapter divisions aid navigation, but the literary unit may begin earlier or continue into the next chapter.

Observe first

Mark repeated words, changes of speaker, commands, promises, contrasts, questions, and the relationship between paragraphs.

Apply responsibly

Distinguish description from command and immediate audience from later readers before forming a personal application.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in 2 Thessalonians 3

2 Thessalonians 3 contains 18 verses and about 358 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you,” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 18 closes: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include don’t, christ, brothers, command, work, word. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About 2 Thessalonians 3

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, 2 Thessalonians 3:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.

A SMALL NEXT STEP

You do not have to have everything figured out.

Begin with one honest question, one passage read carefully, and one faithful next step.

Start with prayer