Biblion Bible Commentary
Read the introduction to 2 Thessalonians · About this commentary
That the Word May Run
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2
1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you, · WEB
Paul asks prayer not for his safety first but for the message's speed, and the order of the two requests is the point.
Finally, brothers, pray for us. The first request is for the word of the Lord — that it may spread rapidly and be glorified. The verb pictures running, and the image is of a message moving unimpeded rather than of preachers succeeding. Paul had used the same picture of the word's progress elsewhere, and Scripture reports it as the way the church actually grew Acts 12:24.
The standard he attaches is the readers themselves: even as also with you. A church founded in three sabbaths and a riot is offered back to itself as the example of what he is asking for.
Only then does the second request come, and it is for deliverance from unreasonable and evil men. He does not ask that opposition end, but that he be delivered through it. The reason given is almost an aside and is one of the plainest sentences in the letter: for not all have faith. Paul does not treat that as a scandal requiring explanation. He treats it as the working condition of the mission.
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