2 Thessalonians 3:5
Verse
Context
Sermons
Neil T. Anderson
Steve Mays
John Gill
Miles J. Stanford
David ServantSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God - The love of God is the grand motive and principle of obedience; this must occupy your hearts: the heart is irregular in all its workings; God alone, by his Spirit, can direct it into his love, and keep it right; κατευθυναι, give a proper direction to all its passions, and keep them in order, regularity and purity. The patience of Christ - Such patience, under all your sufferings and persecutions, as Christ manifested under his. He bore meekly the contradiction of sinners against himself; and when he was reviled, he reviled not again.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
If "the Lord" be here the Holy Ghost (Co2 3:17), the three Persons of the Trinity will occur in this verse. love of God--love to God. patient waiting for Christ--rather as Greek, "the patience (endurance) of Christ," namely, which Christ showed [ALFORD] (Th2 2:4; Th1 1:3). ESTIUS, however, supports English Version (compare Rev 1:9; Rev 3:10). At all events, this grace, "patience," or persevering endurance, is connected with the "hope" (Th1 1:3, Th1 1:10) of Christ's coming. In ALFORD'S translation we may compare Heb 12:1-2, "Run with patience (endurance) . . . looking to JESUS . . . who, for the joy that was before Him, endured the cross"; so WE are to endure, as looking for the hope to be realized at His coming (Heb 10:36-37).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God,.... By which may be meant either the love with which God is loved. This is the sum and substance of the first and chief commandment in the law, and is what every man in a state of nature is destitute of; it is implanted in the heart in regeneration, and is a fruit of the Spirit of God; and where it is it oftentimes grows cold, and needs to be stirred up and reinflamed, by the Spirit of God, which may be intended, by a directing of the heart into it, that is, to a lively exercise of it: or else the love with which God loves his people is designed, which is free, sovereign, unchangeable, and from everlasting to everlasting; and to have the heart directed into this, is to be led into it directly; or by a straight line, as the word signifies, and not in a round about way, by works and duties, as the causes or conditions of it; and to be led further into it, so as to wade into these waters of the sanctuary, from the ankles to the knees, and from thence to the loins, and from thence till they become a broad river to swim in; or so as to comprehend the height, and depth, and length, and breadth of this love, and to be rooted and grounded in it, and firmly persuaded of interest in it; and that nothing shall separate from it; and so as to have the heart sensibly affected with it. The phrase of directing the heart to God, and to seek him, is used in the Septuagint, in Ch2 19:3. And this is not to be done by a believer himself, nor by the ministers of the Gospel: the apostle could not do it, and therefore he prays "the Lord" to do it; by whom is meant the Spirit of God, since he is distinguished from God the Father, into whose love the heart is to be directed, and from Christ, a patient waiting for whom it is also desired the heart may be directed into; and since it is his work to shed abroad the love of God in the heart, and to lead unto it, and make application of it; and which is a proof of his deity, for none has the direction, management, and government of the heart, but God, Pro 21:1, and in this passage of Scripture appear all the three Persons; for here is the love of the Father, patient waiting for Christ, the Spirit and the Lord. For it follows, as another branch of the petition, and into the patient waiting for Christ; or "patience of Christ", as the Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions render it; and may intend either that patience, of which Christ was the subject; and which appeared in his quiet submission to all that outward meanness he did in his state of humiliation; in bearing the insults and reproaches of men, and the frowardness of his own disciples, in suffering himself to be tempted by Satan; and in bearing the sins of his people, the wrath of God, and strokes of justice in the manner he did: and for the saints to have their hearts directed into this patience of Christ, is of great use unto them, to endear Christ unto, them; to lead them into the greatness of his love, and also of his person; and to make them more patient under the cross, when they consider him, and have him for an example. Or else it may respect the grace of patience, which he is the author of, for all grace comes from him; and he from hence may be called the God of patience, as his word, which is the means of it, is the word of his patience; and it is by his strength that saints are strengthened unto all patience, and longsuffering: and to be directed into this, or to the exercise of it, is of great use under afflictions from the hand of God, and under the reproaches and persecutions of men, and under divine desertions, and want of an answer of prayer, and under the temptations of Satan, and in an expectation of the heavenly glory. And the heart is never more in the exercise of this, than when it is directed into the love of God; see Rom 5:2. Or this may refer to that patience of which Christ is the object, and be understood, either of a patient bearing the cross for his sake; for every believer has a cross to take up and bear for Christ, and which is to be borne constantly, cheerfully, and patiently; and nothing more strongly animates to such a patient bearing of it, than a sense of the love of God; so that a being directed into that, leads also to this: or as our version points out the sense, it may be understood of a patient waiting for the second coming of Christ. Christ will certainly come a second time, though when he will come is uncertain; and his coming will be very glorious in itself, and of great advantage to the saints: hence it becomes them, not only to believe it, hope for it, love it, and look for it, but to wait patiently for it; which being directed to by the Spirit of God, is of great use unto them in the present state of things.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:5 The prayer that God would lead (literally make straight) their hearts reflects an Old Testament expression (1 Chr 29:18; Prov 23:19). Christians are expected to love as God loves and practice patient endurance as Christ endured.
2 Thessalonians 3:5
Request for Prayer
4And we have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.5May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Sanctified in Christ
By Neil T. Anderson1.5K50:56SanctificationMAT 6:33ROM 3:23ROM 6:23EPH 1:1EPH 2:8COL 2:62TH 3:5In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of humility in the face of life's challenges. He encourages listeners to humble themselves before God and learn the lessons that He wants them to learn. The preacher shares a story of a missionary couple who dedicated their lives to serving God in Africa for 50 years. He highlights the need to truly internalize and apply the teachings of God, rather than simply hearing them without allowing them to impact one's heart. The sermon also touches on the concept of sanctification and the process of conforming to the image of God.
The Patience of Christ
By Steve Mays92834:56PatienceLUK 8:15ROM 5:3GAL 5:22COL 1:112TH 3:5HEB 12:1JAS 1:3In this sermon, Pastor Steve Mays discusses the importance of patience in our lives. He emphasizes that setbacks and difficulties are inevitable, but we should not let them stress us out. Instead, we should learn to be patient and trust that God is working in our lives. Pastor Steve gives examples from the Bible, such as Moses and Paul, who had to wait for years before God used them for His purposes. He encourages listeners to have the patience of Christ and to trust that God's timing is perfect.
Perseverance: Finishing the Work That He Gives Us
By Mike Bickle191:08:12PerseveranceDivine CallingPHP 3:142TH 3:5HEB 12:1Mike Bickle emphasizes the significance of perseverance in fulfilling our divine calling as intercessory missionaries. He encourages believers to remain steadfast in their small, often mundane tasks, reminding them that every assignment, no matter how small, is holy and valued by God. Bickle highlights that true perseverance is rooted in the love of God, which empowers us to stay diligent and faithful, even amidst challenges and discouragement. He urges the congregation to focus on their commitment to God rather than seeking recognition or ease, as the ultimate goal is to finish the work He has given us. The sermon concludes with a call to reaffirm our dedication to God's calling, regardless of the circumstances we face.
The Love of God, Considered.
By John Gill1God's LoveSpiritual GrowthROM 8:382TH 3:5John Gill emphasizes the profound nature of God's love in his sermon 'The Love of God, Considered,' based on 2 Thessalonians 3:5. He explains that God's love is both a gift to us and a command for us to love Him in return, highlighting the necessity of having our hearts directed into this love through the Holy Spirit. Gill discusses the characteristics of God's love, including its eternal, sovereign, and unchangeable nature, and the importance of understanding this love to foster our love for God and one another. He concludes by urging believers to seek a deeper experience of God's love, which will empower them to endure trials and live in obedience. The sermon serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God's love in the life of a believer.
Love's Eternality
By Miles J. Stanford0PSA 136:26ROM 5:8EPH 3:192TH 3:51JN 4:16Miles J. Stanford preaches about the challenge of truly believing in God's unconditional love amidst the distractions of the old self and the accusations of Satan. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and embracing the constant and unwavering love and grace of Jesus, regardless of our doubts or self-perception. Stanford encourages the congregation to focus on God's love as the ultimate source of strength and assurance, allowing it to shape their perspective and response to difficult circumstances, leading to a deeper understanding of the Father's love and a transformative experience of His grace.
The Lord's Coming, as It Will Affect the Assembly
By H.J. Vine0ACT 1:11EPH 1:13PHP 1:231TH 4:152TH 3:52PE 3:15REV 3:10REV 19:7REV 21:2H.J. Vine preaches on the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ, emphasizing that He Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, and believers will be caught up to meet Him in the air. The joy of the Lord in having His redeemed ones with Him will be beyond measure, fulfilling His sufferings on the cross. Despite uncertainties and fears, believers are encouraged to trust in Christ's perfect love that casts out all fear and eagerly await His coming to take them to be with Him forever.
Day 60, 1 Thessalonians 3
By David Servant02TH 3:5David Servant emphasizes the importance of continuing in faith and standing firm in the Lord, as seen in Paul's concern for the young believers in Thessalonica who faced persecution. Paul's efforts to strengthen the believers and ensure their faith remained steadfast highlight the necessity of ongoing faith for salvation, contrary to the doctrine of 'once saved always saved.' The key message is that true holiness is demonstrated through love for one another, as Paul prays for the Thessalonians to abound in love and be established in holiness before God's coming.
Mr. James Mudie, Montrose (3)
By Andrew Bonar0Spiritual GrowthCommunity in FaithPSA 77:19ISA 40:11LUK 3:7ACT 20:352TH 3:5Andrew Bonar reflects on the importance of spiritual growth and community in his letters to Mr. James Mudie, expressing a longing for deeper communion with God and the joy of serving Him. He encourages his brother to share messages of hope and guidance with their congregation, emphasizing the need for faith and the blessings of giving. Bonar also highlights the ongoing revival in Ferryden, urging the faithful to remain steadfast and to seek the Lord's direction in their lives.
Correspondence With Pope Innocent I
By St. John Chrysostom0PSA 27:14PSA 37:7ISA 40:31LAM 3:25ROM 12:122TH 3:5HEB 10:36JAS 1:121PE 5:10John Chrysostom addresses Bishop Innocent, detailing the distress and iniquity that has occurred in Constantinople, leading to great mourning and lamentation. Despite efforts to restore order and seek justice through a synod, Theophilus, entrusted with the Church in Alexandria, unjustly accuses and expels John Chrysostom, causing chaos and violence within the Church. John Chrysostom appeals to Innocent for support and intervention to rectify the injustices and lawlessness that have plagued the Church, emphasizing the need for patience, endurance, and reliance on God's justice and mercy in the face of persecution and exile.
Homily 5 on Second Thessalonians
By St. John Chrysostom02TH 3:5John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life and being obedient to God's commandments. He encourages believers to imitate the example set by Paul and to work diligently, not being idle or disorderly. Chrysostom highlights the need for cooperation between God's grace and human effort, stressing the significance of prayer, good works, and patience in enduring trials. He urges individuals to be mindful of their actions, to be diligent in their work, and to maintain peace and love in all circumstances.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God - The love of God is the grand motive and principle of obedience; this must occupy your hearts: the heart is irregular in all its workings; God alone, by his Spirit, can direct it into his love, and keep it right; κατευθυναι, give a proper direction to all its passions, and keep them in order, regularity and purity. The patience of Christ - Such patience, under all your sufferings and persecutions, as Christ manifested under his. He bore meekly the contradiction of sinners against himself; and when he was reviled, he reviled not again.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
If "the Lord" be here the Holy Ghost (Co2 3:17), the three Persons of the Trinity will occur in this verse. love of God--love to God. patient waiting for Christ--rather as Greek, "the patience (endurance) of Christ," namely, which Christ showed [ALFORD] (Th2 2:4; Th1 1:3). ESTIUS, however, supports English Version (compare Rev 1:9; Rev 3:10). At all events, this grace, "patience," or persevering endurance, is connected with the "hope" (Th1 1:3, Th1 1:10) of Christ's coming. In ALFORD'S translation we may compare Heb 12:1-2, "Run with patience (endurance) . . . looking to JESUS . . . who, for the joy that was before Him, endured the cross"; so WE are to endure, as looking for the hope to be realized at His coming (Heb 10:36-37).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God,.... By which may be meant either the love with which God is loved. This is the sum and substance of the first and chief commandment in the law, and is what every man in a state of nature is destitute of; it is implanted in the heart in regeneration, and is a fruit of the Spirit of God; and where it is it oftentimes grows cold, and needs to be stirred up and reinflamed, by the Spirit of God, which may be intended, by a directing of the heart into it, that is, to a lively exercise of it: or else the love with which God loves his people is designed, which is free, sovereign, unchangeable, and from everlasting to everlasting; and to have the heart directed into this, is to be led into it directly; or by a straight line, as the word signifies, and not in a round about way, by works and duties, as the causes or conditions of it; and to be led further into it, so as to wade into these waters of the sanctuary, from the ankles to the knees, and from thence to the loins, and from thence till they become a broad river to swim in; or so as to comprehend the height, and depth, and length, and breadth of this love, and to be rooted and grounded in it, and firmly persuaded of interest in it; and that nothing shall separate from it; and so as to have the heart sensibly affected with it. The phrase of directing the heart to God, and to seek him, is used in the Septuagint, in Ch2 19:3. And this is not to be done by a believer himself, nor by the ministers of the Gospel: the apostle could not do it, and therefore he prays "the Lord" to do it; by whom is meant the Spirit of God, since he is distinguished from God the Father, into whose love the heart is to be directed, and from Christ, a patient waiting for whom it is also desired the heart may be directed into; and since it is his work to shed abroad the love of God in the heart, and to lead unto it, and make application of it; and which is a proof of his deity, for none has the direction, management, and government of the heart, but God, Pro 21:1, and in this passage of Scripture appear all the three Persons; for here is the love of the Father, patient waiting for Christ, the Spirit and the Lord. For it follows, as another branch of the petition, and into the patient waiting for Christ; or "patience of Christ", as the Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions render it; and may intend either that patience, of which Christ was the subject; and which appeared in his quiet submission to all that outward meanness he did in his state of humiliation; in bearing the insults and reproaches of men, and the frowardness of his own disciples, in suffering himself to be tempted by Satan; and in bearing the sins of his people, the wrath of God, and strokes of justice in the manner he did: and for the saints to have their hearts directed into this patience of Christ, is of great use unto them, to endear Christ unto, them; to lead them into the greatness of his love, and also of his person; and to make them more patient under the cross, when they consider him, and have him for an example. Or else it may respect the grace of patience, which he is the author of, for all grace comes from him; and he from hence may be called the God of patience, as his word, which is the means of it, is the word of his patience; and it is by his strength that saints are strengthened unto all patience, and longsuffering: and to be directed into this, or to the exercise of it, is of great use under afflictions from the hand of God, and under the reproaches and persecutions of men, and under divine desertions, and want of an answer of prayer, and under the temptations of Satan, and in an expectation of the heavenly glory. And the heart is never more in the exercise of this, than when it is directed into the love of God; see Rom 5:2. Or this may refer to that patience of which Christ is the object, and be understood, either of a patient bearing the cross for his sake; for every believer has a cross to take up and bear for Christ, and which is to be borne constantly, cheerfully, and patiently; and nothing more strongly animates to such a patient bearing of it, than a sense of the love of God; so that a being directed into that, leads also to this: or as our version points out the sense, it may be understood of a patient waiting for the second coming of Christ. Christ will certainly come a second time, though when he will come is uncertain; and his coming will be very glorious in itself, and of great advantage to the saints: hence it becomes them, not only to believe it, hope for it, love it, and look for it, but to wait patiently for it; which being directed to by the Spirit of God, is of great use unto them in the present state of things.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
3:5 The prayer that God would lead (literally make straight) their hearts reflects an Old Testament expression (1 Chr 29:18; Prov 23:19). Christians are expected to love as God loves and practice patient endurance as Christ endured.