Question 1

What does Paul mean by praying that the word of the Lord may have free course?

Accepted Answer

When Paul asks them to pray that “the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified,” he is asking that the message about Jesus would spread quickly and without blockage. He wants the good news to move freely from place to place, not held back by fear, persecution, or false teaching. “Be glorified” means that as people hear and believe, God’s word will be honored and shown to be true. So he is asking them to pray that God would open doors, change hearts, and make the message effective, just as it was among them.

Question 2

Why does Paul say not all men have faith in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Paul has just asked for prayer to be delivered from “unreasonable and wicked men.” Then he adds, “for all men have not faith.” He is reminding the church that not everyone truly trusts in Christ, even if they are religious or seem spiritual. Some actively oppose the gospel or try to harm God’s people. This explains why prayer for protection is needed. At the same time, he turns their eyes to God’s side of things, saying, “But the Lord is faithful,” so they will not be shaken by unbelief around them.

Question 3

What does it mean that the Lord is faithful and will stablish you and keep you from evil?

Accepted Answer

When Paul says, “the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil,” he is pointing them away from their own weakness to God’s steady care. To “stablish” means to make them firm, settled, and steady in their faith and obedience. “Keep you from evil” includes guarding them from falling into sin and protecting them from the harm of evil people. It does not mean they will never suffer, but that God will hold them fast and will not let evil destroy the work he is doing in them.

Question 4

Why does Paul command believers to withdraw from a brother who walks disorderly?

Accepted Answer

Paul tells them, in the name of Jesus, to withdraw from any brother who walks “disorderly” and refuses to follow the teaching they received. In this passage, the disorder mainly shows up as idleness and meddling, people who will not work but interfere in others’ lives. Stepping back from close fellowship is meant to show that this behavior is serious and does not match the gospel. It is not done out of hatred but as a loving warning, so the person feels shame in a good way and is moved to turn back and live as a faithful member of the church.

Question 5

What does Paul mean when he says if any would not work, neither should he eat?

Accepted Answer

Paul is not talking about those who cannot work because of weakness or hardship. He is addressing those who are able but refuse to work, living off others while stirring up trouble. “If any would not work, neither should he eat” is a blunt rule to show that laziness and dependence by choice are not fitting for believers. It teaches that Christians should do honest work, as they are able, and provide for themselves instead of burdening others. This protects the church family and encourages a healthy, diligent way of life.

Question 6

Who are the busybodies mentioned, and what is wrong with what they are doing?

Accepted Answer

The busybodies are people in the church who are “working not at all, but are busybodies.” Instead of doing their own work, they spend time in other people’s affairs, talking and meddling. The problem is not just that they are idle, but that their idleness leads to gossip, distraction, and unrest in the church. Paul commands and urges such people, by the Lord Jesus, to work quietly and eat their own bread. In other words, they should mind their own work, earn their own living, and stop disturbing others’ lives.

Question 7

How should Christians treat someone who will not obey this letter’s teaching?

Accepted Answer

Paul tells the church to “note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.” This means they should clearly recognize his behavior as wrong and not relate to him as if nothing is wrong. Yet he immediately adds, “Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” So the aim is loving correction, not hatred or revenge. They are to hope for his restoration, speak to him honestly about his sin, and still see him as part of the family who needs to come back to a faithful walk.

Question 8

What does this passage teach about God’s peace and grace?

Accepted Answer

Near the end, Paul prays, “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.” He then closes with, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” This shows that real peace comes from God, not from easy circumstances. God gives peace inside, in every situation, and his presence is what they need most. The mention of grace reminds them that everything they have, from forgiveness to strength to keep going, is a gift from Jesus, not something they earn by their own effort.

Question 9

How can this passage guide how we live and serve in the church today?

Accepted Answer

This passage calls believers to pray for those who teach and spread the gospel, asking God to open doors and protect them. It also reminds us that God is faithful to steady us and keep us from evil as we obey him. In daily life, it pushes against laziness and meddling, urging quiet, honest work and personal responsibility. In church life, it shows that correction is part of love: serious sin should not be ignored, but discipline should always aim to restore, not destroy, treating the wandering one as a brother or sister, not as an enemy.

2 Thessalonians 3:1

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

Request for Prayer

A Warning against Idleness

Signature and Final Greetings

Request for Prayer

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2 Thessalonians 3:1

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

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Request for Prayer

A Warning against Idleness

Signature and Final Greetings

Request for Prayer

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