2 Thessalonians 3

2 Thessalonians 3:1

PRay for us] See Ephesians 6:19. Col. 4. 3.

may have free course] Gr. may run.

and be glorified] As the Word of the Lord is dishonoured and contemned when it is either not beleeved, or not obeyed; so it is glorified, and God by it, when it is mixed with faith and obedience in the hearers. Hebrews 4:2.

2 Thessalonians 3:2

unreasonable and wicked men] Gr. absurd. Froward and perverse men, both false Hypocrites which closely undermine the Gospel, and those publike opposers of the truth, which persecute us for the professing of it.

for all men have not faith] Gr. faith is not of all men. It is no marvail that the Gospel is opposed and hated by so many, seeing that faith is a rare gift of God; notwithstanding the Church shall never be destroyed by the multitude of the wicked, because it is founded upon the faithfull promise of God. Matthew 16:18.

from evill] Or, that evill one. Either from the Devill, that wicked one, his snares and temptations, or from any evill thing that may hurt you.

2 Thessalonians 3:5

into the love] Or, to the love.

the patient waiting of Christ] Or, the patience of Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:6

in the Name of the Lord] In Christ his behalf.

withdraw your selves] Have no familiar communion with such, after due knowledge is taken of them by the Church, and they, being admonished, remain disobedient still. Matth. 18. 15, 17. 1 Corinthians 5:11.

walketh disorderly] This may be taken, either in generall for all kinde of evill carriage and misbehaviour, whereby scandall is given to the Church of God; or of that particular disorder, whereof he maketh mention vers. 11. of those who attend not on their own calling, but curiously enquire into the lives and manners of others, and thrust their Sickle into anothers harvest.

2 Thessalonians 3:7

follow] Gr. imitate.

2 Thessalonians 3:8

for nought] That is, not paying for it, though if he had not paid for it, he had not received it for nought; for the labourer, as our Saviour teacheth, Matthew 10:10. is worthy of his hire: and they who minister carnall things for spirituall, minister not for nought, but make a gainfull exchange. Yet the Apostle, to give a good example of painfulnesse to others, besides his labours in his ministeriall function, for which he might have required due maintenance from the Thessalonians, took pains day and night at his profession, which was Tent-making, thereby to supply his wants, and spare the Churches. Acts 18:3.

chargeable to any of you] The Greek word signifieth burdensome; not that indeed the affording comfortable maintenance to their faithfull Pastours, is, or ought to be accounted a burden to their flocks; but because most men, who are worldly minded, esteem it so.

2 Thessalonians 3:10

that if any would not work] He saith not, If any do not work, for some would work if they could get any imployment; some are not able to work, through age and naturall infirmitie; yet God forbid that either of these should starve for want of food: but the Apostle forbiddeth any such to be relieved by the charitie of the Church, who are in want through their own idlenesse, who may have work, and are able to performe it, but will not take any pains for their living.

2 Thessalonians 3:11

busie-bodies] There are none more busie in other mens matters then they who neglect their own. 1 Pet. 4. 15.

2 Thessalonians 3:12

eat their own bread] The bread which they earn by their labour, and not that which is given them of Alms.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

be not weary in well-doing] Or, faint. See Galatians 6:9. Take heed that some mens unworthinesse cause not you to be slack in well-doing.

2 Thessalonians 3:14

by this Epistle, note that man] Or, signifie that man by an Epistle] Set a brand upon him, as Romans 16:17. marke those which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned. Or, give me notice of him by Letter, that I may take some course with him.

2 Thessalonians 3:15

as an enemy] We must so eschew familiarity with excommunicated persons, that we diligently seek all occasions and means that may be, to bring them again to the right way.

admonish] Or, instruct.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Lord of peace] Prayers are the seals of all exhortations, wherewith the Apostle concludes all his Epistles.