A Request For Intercession
A REQUEST FOR INTERCESSION
2 THESSALONIANS 3:1-5
As you pray for the advancement of the gospel through pastors, teachers and missionaries, your confidence can rest in the faithfulness of God.
Before introducing the second main theme of the letter (3:6ff.), Paul draws attention to his own dangerous circumstances on the isthmus, and invites the believers to pray specifically that the word of the Lord may “speed on and triumph” (3:1). The word of preaching is regarded as a spiritual force which is capable of sweeping through the land under its own power. While Corinth was well known for its vice and violence, Paul was far less concerned for his own safety than for the success of the mission. He coveted for the province of Achaia the same enthusiastic response to the gospel that he had witnessed in Macedonia.
What Paul actually encountered, however, was the concerted effort of people dedicated to stop the advance of the mission. The allusion to “wicked and evil people” has in view certain Jewish leaders in Corinth who were at this time making Paul’s work as difficult as possible (Acts 18:6,12-17). The sad word that “not all have faith” (3:2) refers almost certainly to the stubborn refusal of the synagogue to acknowledge Jesus as the promised Messiah. Was the vision through which God strengthened Paul (Acts 18:9-11) the answer to the prayers of the Thessalonians?
The apostle’s attention moves quickly from his own encounter with evildoers to the plight of the Thessalonians, who also experience harassment (see 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:4-7). The lack of faith in people sharpens his appreciation of the faithfulness of Christ, who will strengthen the believers and protect them from evil (3:3). Whether Paul has in view evildoers (see 3:2) or the Evil One (see 2:9) is unclear; the ambiguity may be deliberate, since the evil which people commit is inspired by Satan. Confronted with powers greater than their own, the Thessalonians were to flee to Christ for refuge.
Paul’s confidence that the Thessalonians would carry out the instructions he is about to give is based on their common allegiance to Christ (3:4). Before turning to the matter immediately at hand—the discipline of the idle—he prays that the Lord may direct their hearts to the love of God and the patience of Christ, which are to find a response in the obedience of believers (3:5).