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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2Th_3:1-5
1Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; 2and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. 3But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 4We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. 5May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.
2Th_3:1 "Finally" This phrase ("for the rest ") is used by Paul to mark off his last major truth or subject (cf. 1Th_4:1). It is the beginning of the conclusion. It is also used to introduce his closing statements (cf. 2Co_13:11).
There is also the possibility that this is a literary marker for the central thrust of a chiasm (cf. 1Th_4:1).
▣ "pray for us" This is a present middle (deponent) imperative. Paul felt the need for prayer and believed it affected the effectiveness of his ministry (cf. 1Th_5:25; Eph_6:19; Col_4:3). See hyperlink at 1Th_1:2.
▣ "that the word of the Lord" Paul asks prayer for the sake of the gospel, not himself.
In Gen_15:1; Gen_15:4 the phrase "the word of the Lord (YHWH)" referred to God's message to Abraham. It is used in a prophetic sense in 1Sa_15:10 and Isa_1:10.
In the NT it occurs in two forms.
1. using rhçma (spoken word), Luk_22:61; Act_11:16; 1Pe_1:25
2. using logos, Act_8:25; Act_13:44; Act_13:48-49; Act_15:35; Act_16:32; Act_19:10; Act_19:20; 1Th_1:8; 1Th_4:15
There seems to be no theological distinction between the two forms.
NASB, NRSV "will spread rapidly and be glorified"
NKJV "may have free course and be glorified"
TEV "may continue to spread rapidly and receive glory"
NJB "may spread quickly, and be received with honour"
There are two present subjunctives. The term "spread" is literally "run a race" (present active subjunctive). This may be an allusion to Psa_147:15. "Glory" (present passive subjunctive) in this context must be understood as "honor." It refers to the gospel being received and rejoiced in. The gospel is honored when fallen humans respond to it appropriately (cf. 2Th_3:2) and are changed.
2Th_3:2 "we will be rescued from perverse and evil men" This is an aorist passive subjunctive. This tense and the article with two adjectives, show that a specific incident is being referred to in Paul's life. This church understood what incident was intended (cf. 1Th_2:16). Paul, writing from Corinth, had so many trials while there (cf. 2Co_4:8-11; 2Co_6:4-10; 2Co_11:23-28).
▣ "for not all have faith" This is literally "the faith." This can refer to (1) the personal experience of receiving the gospel or (2) the truth of the gospel in a doctrinal sense. Evil often masquerades as good (cf. Mat_7:21-23). See Special Topic: Believe at Gal_3:6.
2Th_3:3 "But the Lord is faithful" Here the term "faith" is used in its OT sense of faithfulness. Jesus is exactly opposite of the evil men of 2Th_3:2 (cf. 1Th_5:24). See Special Topic: Believe in the OT at Gal_3:6.
▣ "strengthen" In the Septuagint (LXX) this term was used of establishing something like a city. It came to be used metaphorically of establishing or confirming a person (cf. Rom_16:25; 1Th_3:2; 2Th_2:17; 2Th_3:3). The faithful Lord will establish and guard His own from evil, evil men, and the evil one.
▣ "protect" This is one of many military terms in this chapter (cf. 1Pe_1:3-12; 1Jn_5:18).
▣ "from the evil one" This inflected Greek form can be neuter or masculine. The Eastern Church Fathers and Tertullian interpret it as masculine , while the Western Church Fathers interpret it as neuter (cf. Rom_12:9). The NT seems to support the masculine (cf. Mat_5:37; Mat_6:13; Mat_13:19; Mat_13:38; Joh_17:15; Eph_6:16; 1Jn_2:13-14; 1Jn_3:12; 1Jn_5:18-19). See hyperlink at 1Th_2:18.
This context has two possible orientations: (1) the false teachers of Paul's day (antichrists, cf. 1Jn_2:18) or (2) the eschatological evil of the Anti-Christ (cf. Revelation 13). Evil is always present, but so too, the faithful Lord! He will rescue and preserve His followers from evil men and He will strengthen and protect them from the evil one.
2Th_3:4 "We have confidence in the Lord concerning you" This is a perfect active indicative, an action that occurred in the past and has now become a state of being. Paul's confidence was "in the Lord" but also in these believers. This same balance can be seen in Php_2:12-13. Salvation is both from a sovereign God and a responsive human being ("doing" and "will continue to do"). All of God's dealings with humans involve unconditional, yet conditional, covenant promises.
▣ "command" This is a military term. It is used repeatedly in this context (cf. 2Th_3:4; 2Th_3:6; 2Th_3:10; 2Th_3:12). This shows Paul's authority as an Apostle. This term could refer to (1) Paul's preaching; (2) his first letter, 1 Thessalonians; or (3) his current instructions, 2 Thessalonians
2Th_3:5 "May the Lord. . .of God. . .of Christ" The ambiguity of the term "Lord" is obvious. In the OT it is always YHWH. New Testament authors often quote OT passages where they attribute actions of YHWH to Jesus. The fluidity may be purposeful because the original, inspired NT author wanted to affirm the Deity of Jesus and the unified action of the Triune God (cf. 2Th_2:16-17).
▣ "direct" This is an aorist active optative, which reflects a prayer (cf. 1Th_3:11-13). It is another military term, "make straight by removing obstacles." It is an allusion to the OT metaphor, "well-worn paths of righteousness" (cf. Luk_1:79; 1Th_3:11). Notice the two aspects of this prayer: (1) the love of God and (2) the steadfastness of Christ.
▣ "hearts" This is used in the OT for the entire person, but can be used more specifically of the mind, which fits this context best. See Special Topic at Gal_4:6.
▣ "the love of God" This genitive phrase can be understood as objectively or subjectively, that is, God's love for us and our love for Him. In context God's love for us fits better.
▣ "the steadfastness of Christ" This phrase is used nowhere else in Paul's writings. It is somewhat ambiguous. It is an active term for "voluntary, steadfast endurance." Because of Christ's example of patient endurance (cf. Php_2:6-11), believers can patiently endure.
This genitive phrase can mean the believers' patience like Christ's patience or the patience that Christ gives to believers. It is possibly a subjective genitive, like the previous phrase. In either case this patience relates to
1. their current persecution
2. their response to false teaching and its resulting idleness on the part of some church members
3. the believers' patience, trust, and expectant faith-living in light of the any-moment return and/or delayed return of Jesus (unlike those of 2Th_3:11)