Pray for Us

2Thessalonians 3:1-2 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 

‘Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.’ In conclusion, pray for us (3:1-2): That the Gospel may have its free course. That the Gospel may be glorified. That we may not be hindered in work. Paul was the only New Testament writer who asked for the prayers of those to whom he wrote (Rom. 15:30; 2Cor. 1:11; Eph. 6:19; Php. 1:19; Col. 4:3; Phm. 1:22; Heb. 13:18).

‘Glorified’ [Greek: doxazo]. Translated “be made glorious” (2Cor. 3:10); “have glory” (Matt. 6:2; 2Cor. 3:10); “full of glory” (1Pet. 1:8); “honour” (John 8:54; 2Cor. 12:1-21); “magnify” (Rom. 11:13); and “glorify” 49 times in the sense of praise and honour (2Thess. 3:1; etc.).

‘Unreasonable’ [Greek: atopos] out of place – under no discipline; absurd; disgusting; disorderly. Translated “unreasonable” (3:2); “amiss” (Luke 23:41); “harm” (Acts 28:6); and “wickedness” (Acts 25:5).

‘Faith’ [Greek: pistis] is confidence, faithfulness, trust, and a pledge of good faith. Used 244 times. Translated belief (2:13); fidelity (Tit. 2:10); assurance (Acts 17:31); and faith 239 times (Heb. 11:1-39; 12:2; etc.). Here it means fidelity or faithfulness in contrast to the Lord who is faithful (3:2-3). See Faith.

Eighteen definitions of faith: Substance of things hoped for (Heb. 11:1). Evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1, 7). Invisible backing of elders (Heb. 11:2). Creative power of divine works (Heb. 11:3). Divine testimony of right doing (Heb. 11:4). Cancellation of natural laws (Heb. 11:5). Basis of pleasing God (Heb. 11:6). Dependence upon God’s word (Heb. 11:7). Trust in an unknown future (Heb. 11:8-10). Counting things that be not as though they were (Heb. 11:11-12; Rom. 4:17). Seeing invisible things (Heb. 11:13-16). Assurance of God’s faithfulness (Heb. 11:17-19; 10:23). Confidence in things to come (Heb. 11:20-31; 3:6, 14; 10:35; Eph. 3:12; 1Jn. 3:21). Stimulus of the Christian faith (Heb. 11:32 – 12:2). The lifeblood of the just (Heb. 10:38). Shield of Christian armour (Eph. 6:16). The down payment of things desired (Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 6:11-12; 10:22-23, 35-39). Guarantee of answered prayer (Matt. 21:22; Mark 11:22-24; Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:1-27).