encourage your hearts
The phrase "encourage your hearts" is deeply rooted in the Greek word "parakaleó," which means to call to one's side, to comfort, or to exhort. In the historical context of the early church, believers faced persecution and trials, making encouragement a vital aspect of their spiritual journey. The heart, in biblical terms, often represents the center of one's being, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect. Thus, this encouragement is not merely emotional support but a profound spiritual reinforcement that fortifies believers against external pressures and internal doubts. It is a divine call to remain steadfast in faith, drawing strength from the Holy Spirit, who is often referred to as the Comforter or Advocate.

and strengthen you
The word "strengthen" comes from the Greek "stērizō," which means to make firm or establish. This term conveys the idea of being made resolute and unwavering. In the context of the Thessalonian church, which was experiencing confusion and fear about the end times, this strengthening was crucial. It implies a divine empowerment that enables believers to stand firm in their convictions and faith. Historically, this reflects the apostolic mission to ground the early Christians in sound doctrine and moral integrity, ensuring that their faith was not easily shaken by false teachings or societal pressures.

in every good word and deed
The phrase "in every good word and deed" highlights the comprehensive nature of Christian living. The Greek word for "good" is "agathos," which denotes that which is inherently good, beneficial, and morally excellent. "Word" (logos) and "deed" (ergon) together encompass the totality of a believer's expression of faith—both in speech and action. This dual emphasis underscores the biblical principle that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Historically, the early church was known for its acts of charity and its commitment to truth, serving as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel. This phrase calls believers to a holistic expression of their faith, where their words align with their actions, reflecting the character of Christ in all aspects of life.

(17) Comfort your hearts . . .--"Comfort," in reference to the "unending comfort" of 2Thessalonians 2:16; and "stablish," in reference to the "good hope in grace." The "heart" needs comfort as the seat of emotions. "In every good word and work" (it should be, work and word) means in the maintenance of every good doctrine (as opposed to the false teaching which had got abroad about the Advent, and to the lies of the Apostasy), and in the performance of every good practice (as opposed to the lawlessness of the Apostasy, and to the disorderly conduct of which the next chapter treats: for here, as in 1Thessalonians 3:13, the prayer forms an introduction of the next subject). The singular number of the verbs "comfort" and "stablish" (which, of course, does not appear in the English), may perhaps be explained as in 1Thessalonians 3:12, where see Note, though it is not necessary so to understand it, inasmuch as the intervening relative (in the Greek, participial) clauses have turned the whole attention to the Father, who may be considered exclusively as the grammatical subject of the verbs. It would, however, have been painful to orthodox ears; however justifiable doctrinally, to have used a plural verb. It is by these little incidental touches, still more than by express doctrinal statements, that we learn what was the real belief of the Apostles concerning the Divinity of Christ; and we may say the same with regard to many other great doctrines.

Verse 17. - Comfort your hearts, and stablish you; or, according to the best manuscripts, stablish them. namely, your hearts. These verbs are in the singular, but their nominative is our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, thus implying the unity between these Divine Persons. In every good word and work.

Parallel Commentaries ...

encourage
παρακαλέσαι (parakalesai)
Verb - Aorist Optative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3870: From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.

your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

hearts
καρδίας (kardias)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2588: Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

strengthen [you]
στηρίξαι (stērixai)
Verb - Aorist Optative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4741: From a presumed derivative of histemi; to set fast, i.e. to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or to confirm.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

every
παντὶ (panti)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

good
ἀγαθῷ (agathō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 18: A primary word; 'good'.

word
λόγῳ (logō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

deed.
ἔργῳ (ergō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.


2 Thessalonians 2:17 NIV
2 Thessalonians 2:17 NLT
2 Thessalonians 2:17 ESV
2 Thessalonians 2:17 NASB
2 Thessalonians 2:17 KJV

2 Thessalonians 2:17 BibleApps.com
2 Thessalonians 2:17 Biblia Paralela
2 Thessalonians 2:17 Chinese Bible
2 Thessalonians 2:17 French Bible
2 Thessalonians 2:17 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 2 Thessalonians 2:17 Comfort your hearts and establish you (2 Thess. 2 Thes. 2Th iiTh ii th)