2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
V1 “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you…” The importance of prayer is very frequently mentioned by NT writers. The word of the Lord is usually the Gospel. The devil hates the Gospel and substitutes false gospels with 1) additions as works, baptism, sacraments, etc., 2) false responses to false gospels as emotional responses, pleasing others, peer pressure, etc., and 3) substitution for a difference religion, following atheism, etc., following a particular philosophy or teacher, etc. May run swiftly = everyone everywhere will hear the Gospel without hinderance in a short time. Gospel glorified = God is blessed when people believe in the Lord Jesus for salvation, for we praise God for our salvation.
V2 “…and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.” The second request of Paul is to be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men. Compare unreasonable in Acts 15, Galatians 2:4, Galatians 2:16, and Galatians 1:6-9. Compare wicked men: Acts 16:20-21, Acts 17:5-9, and Acts 19:24-27. “All do not have faith” does not mean that God withholds faith from some and not from other. All may believe if they want to. The Gospel is for all, but more reject and refuse to believe. Faith in the Lord Jesus for salvation is the condition for salvation (John 3:14-15 and Galatians 3:24.
V3 “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” Regardless of the evil people and evil beliefs of this world, God is faithful The Greek word for “faithful” is (G4103) πιστός pistos, which means consistently reliable and trustworthy thus faithful. God can establish you. The Greek word for “establish” is (G4741) στηρίζω stērizō, which means the strength and ability to remain firm in beliefs and actions. God is able to do this. The Greek word for “guard” is (5442) φυλάσσω phylassō, which means watch, keep an eye on for the purpose of guarding, watching over prisoners, and applied to obedience as in keeping an eye on one’s thoughts and actions to do what is correct and right. The Lord is faithful to guard us from the evil and the evil one. He protects us from harmful actions as well as harmful people. Nevertheless, He places us in His school to learn. Compare Job, Joseph (Genesis 37 and Genesis 39-41), David (the times of running for his life from murderous King Saul), and many others. We have afflictions to test, refine, and teach but the Lord delivers us from all in one way or another. The flesh may die in martyrdom, but the soul is safe (Matthew 10:28).
V4 “And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.” The Greek word for “confidence” is (G3982) πείθω peíthō, which means convinced by argument and persuaded. Paul has seen God dealing and protecting him many times. From this, his confidence grows. God wants us to succeed. Paul feels confident that the Thessalonians will believe and act in ways pleasing to God. He is an Apostle thus he writes, “We command you.”
V5 “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” A blessing for the Thessalonians to grow in love and loyalty to God and His love and to patience of living a Christian life.