William Burkitt Notes and Observations - 2 Thessalonians 3:2 - 3:2

Online Resource Library

Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | Download

William Burkitt Notes and Observations - 2 Thessalonians 3:2 - 3:2


(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)

This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

In the former verse, St. Paul desired the Thessalonians' prayers with reference to the word; here he requests it with relation to himself, that his person might be preserved, as well as his preaching prosper; that so long as God had any work for him to do, he might be preserved from the rage and fury of the unbelieving Jews, and persecuting Gentiles, who followed him from place to place, to give him trouble: That we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men.

Where note, The odious character with which the apostle brands the enemies of his ministry; he calls them unreasonable men, whom no reason or argument could convince and satisfy; and wicked men, of vicious lives and debauched practices: they are usually the vilest and worst of men, the very dregs of mankind, who set themselves to persecute the preachers, and oppose the preaching of the gospel.

Next, he subjoins a reason why he did so earnestly desire their prayers for deliverance from dangers: because all men have not faith, neither fidelity, nor faithfulness, much less sincere faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; for then they would not oppose his gospel, nor persecute us from place to place, for the plain and persuasive preaching of it.

Where note, That what profession soever a person makes of godliness and religion, and how high soever his pretences are of external devotion, yet if he opposes the gospel, in the power, purity, and progress of it, he is and may be deservedly styled, an unreasonable and wicked man, who wants fidelity, moral honesty, and real virtue; and acts only for his own interest, and to please a party.