2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 … We’re in the closing segment of Paul’s second letter to a little, isolated church surrounded by pagan influence in the sizable city of Thessalonica. Having just encouraged them to be steadfast in their faith, Paul asks for prayer for the Gospel to spread and be accepted rapidly and for protection from evil. He also expresses confidence in God’s protection (3:3) and in the Thessalonian church (3:4) and their obedience to the Word and to Christ. You might note the importance of doing what the Word commands in verse 4, “… that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.” You may recall, that was the distinction between the two houses and two foundations of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:24-27): acting on the Word of God or not acting on the Word of God. Someone has put the concept this way: you do what you believe; all the rest is just religious talk. I think that may be the basis for that wonderful old hymn, How Firm a Foundation.