2 Thessalonians 3
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourcedPaul asks for prayer and assures them, "the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you." He commands them to withdraw from any brother who "walketh disorderly," reminding them that he worked "night and day" as an example and had taught "that if any would not work, neither should he eat." He closes with a blessing of peace and his own signature. 2 Thessalonians 3:12 Thessalonians 3:32 Thessalonians 3:62 Thessalonians 3:82 Thessalonians 3:102 Thessalonians 3:162 Thessalonians 3:17
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
Paul writes to the brethren at Thessalonica, about "some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies." 2 Thessalonians 3:12 Thessalonians 3:11
Where
Thessalonica, where Paul had worked with his own hands so as not to be "chargeable to any of you." 2 Thessalonians overview2 Thessalonians 3:8
When
Traditionally about AD 50-51. Paul recalls the command he gave "even when we were with you." 2 Thessalonians overview2 Thessalonians 3:10
How it fits
Chapter 2 ended with a prayer that God would comfort their hearts and stablish them; this last chapter asks for their prayers, turns to the disorderly, and ends the letter with "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." 2 Thessalonians 2:172 Thessalonians 3:12 Thessalonians 3:62 Thessalonians 3:18
Key verses
- Verse 3
"The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:24 also says, "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." 2 Thessalonians 3:31 Thessalonians 5:24
- Verse 10
"If any would not work, neither should he eat." Paul gives it because some are "working not at all, but are busybodies," and he commands them "that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread." 2 Thessalonians 3:102 Thessalonians 3:112 Thessalonians 3:12
- Verse 15
The disorderly brother is to be noted and avoided, "yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." 2 Thessalonians 3:142 Thessalonians 3:15
Takeaway
Work quietly and provide for yourself, follow the example the apostles set, and correct a straying brother as family, not as an enemy. 2 Thessalonians 3:72 Thessalonians 3:122 Thessalonians 3:132 Thessalonians 3:15
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-29.
Pray for us; the Lord is faithful
1Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
Work quietly; do not walk disorderly
6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 14And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Peace, and Paul's own hand
16Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 17The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. 18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.