Bible Commentaries
2 Thessalonians 3

Verses 1-18

Exhortations, Rebukes, and Benediction

2. Unreasonable] almost ’outrageous.’ Faith] better, ’the Faith.’

3. Evil] RV ’the evil one.’

5. Patient waiting for] better, ’the patience of.’

6. Evidently disorder in the Church had increased since the First Epistle was written. Withdraw yourselves] or, ’shun.’

8. Cp. 1 Thessalonians 2:9.

9. Power] better, ’the right.’ We have the right to be supported, but for the sake of example we waived it in your case (1 Corinthians 9:3-18).

11. Working not at all.. busy-bodies] i.e. neglecting their own work (in view of a supposed immediate Advent), but interfering with that of others.

16. By all means] better, ’in all places,’ or, ’in all, ways.’

17. St. Paul wrote the body of his letters through a secretary, but he added a few words in his own large handwriting, in order that his correspondents might know them to be genuine (1 Corinthians 16:21; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; Colossians 4:18). So I write] better, ’this is my handwriting.’