3:1 brothers The Greek word for “brothers,” adelphoi, can simultaneously address both male and female believers.

pray for us Even when asking for prayer, Paul considers the interests of Jesus Christ—that His message would rapidly spread and be honored.

Prayers in Paul’s Letters Table

word of the Lord Refers to the gospel message (1 Thess 1:8; Acts 8:25; 15:35–36).

just as also it was with you The Thessalonians’ response to the gospel was exemplary (see 1 Thess 1:6–10).

3:2 evil and wicked people Those who opposed Paul and his companions during their missionary efforts—both Jew and Gentile (see Acts 18:12–13). Paul’s language echoes the prophet Isaiah. He may have been alluding to the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the ot) of Isa 25:4, which includes the phrase “you will deliver them from wicked men.”

3:3 who will strengthen you God showed His faithfulness by preserving the Thessalonians while they were persecuted (1 Thess 3:6–9).

the evil one Refers to Satan, the enemy of God (see Matt 6:13; Eph 6:16). The promise that believers will be protected from Satan by the Lord may be an allusion to the Lord’s Prayer. See note on 1 Thess 2:18.

3:5 direct your hearts An expression from the ot (e.g., Prov 23:19; 2 Chr 20:33). Paul asks God to guide the hearts of the Thessalonians—the center of desire and purpose. See 1 Thess 3:13.

love of God The love that God has for believers (Rom 5:5; 2 Cor 13:13). God displayed his love through the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus Christ.

patient endurance of Christ The patient endurance displayed by Christ in His own suffering. His example helps believers endure persecution.

3:6 who lives irresponsibly Those who do not work, but take advantage of the charity of others (1 Thess 5:14).

the tradition Paul’s gospel message communicated in word and deed (see 1 Thess 2:8).

3:7 imitate us See note on 1 Thess 1:6.

we did not behave irresponsibly among you Paul and his companions worked to provide for their own needs while living with the Thessalonians, setting an example for them to follow. See 1 Thess 2:9 and note.

3:8 without paying Paul and his companions could have taken advantage of the hospitality of the Thessalonians. Instead, they left them with an example of self-sacrifice. Paul did not want to burden his churches with financial responsibility for his ministry. Compare 1 Cor 9:1–18.

toil and labor Greeks abhorred manual labor and considered it the duty of slaves. Paul did not see his work as a distraction from ministry, but as part of the ministry itself.

Slavery in the First Century

not to be a burden The socioeconomic status of believers in Thessalonica may have also motivated Paul to provide for himself.

3:9 that we do not have the right Paul did not use his status as an apostle to take advantage of people. He set aside his rights in order to teach the Thessalonians about hard work and sacrifice (compare 1 Cor 9:12, 15).

so that you may imitate us Paul lived in such a way that he could call others to imitate him (1 Cor 4:16; 11:1; Phil 4:9).

3:10 even when we were with you Paul and his companions visited Thessalonica during his second missionary journey (Acts 17:1–9).

does not want to work Believers may have stopped working out of expectations of the Lord’s imminent return or their own laziness. The early church had a lot of charity (compare Acts 6:1–7); some believers may have taken advantage of this.

3:11 busybodies Those who meddle in matters that don’t concern them.

3:12 we command and we exhort Paul is not offering advice. The health and witness of the church in Thessalonica is at stake.

bread Food.

3:14 letter Paul’s letters carried just as much authority as his personal presence with the believers. See 2 Cor 10:9–11.

that he may be put to shame In Graeco-Roman culture, shame was a powerful tool for motivating a person to realign his or her behavior with the community’s values. The believers in Thessalonica were already ostracized from the rest of the city’s population because they turned from idols to the Living God (1 Thess 1:9). Those who were shunned because of their disobedience were even further removed from community.

3:15 admonish The Greek word used here, noutheteō, means to warn someone about the disastrous consequences of his or her actions. Paul regards this as the responsibility of the community. Likewise, Paul provides a model of church discipline that aims toward the restoration of the person, not condemnation.

3:16 Lord of peace Compare note on 1 Thess 5:3.

3:17 The greeting is by my hand The need for a signature of authenticity may reflect an awareness of letters forged in Paul’s name (compare 2 Thess 2:2; 1 Cor 16:21; Col 4:18).

3:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ Paul’s typical closing in his letters (Gal 6:18; Phil 4:23).