Wesley's Notes on the Bible Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 3:1 May run - Go on swiftly, without any interruption. And be glorified - Acknowledged as divine, and bring forth much fruit.
And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3:2 All men have not faith - And all men who have not are more or less unreasonable and wicked men.
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 3:3 Who will stablish you - That cleave to him by faith. And guard you from the evil one - And all his instruments.
And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 3:4 We trust in the Lord concerning you - Thus only should we trust in any man.
And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 3:5 Now the Lord - The Spirit, whose proper work this is. Direct - Lead you straight forward. Into the patience of Christ - Of which he set you a pattern.
Now 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. 3:6 That walketh disorderly - Particularly by not working. Not according to the tradition he received of us - The admonition we gave, both by word of mouth, and in our former epistle.
For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
Neither 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:
Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 3:10 Neither let him eat - Do not maintain him in idleness.
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 3:11 Doing nothing, but being busybodies - To which idleness naturally disposes.
Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 3:12 Work quietly - Letting the concerns of other people alone.
But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 3:14 Have no company with him - No intimacy, no familiarity, no needless correspondence.
Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 3:15 Admonish him as a brother - Tell him lovingly of the reason why you shun him.
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 3:16 The Lord of peace - Christ. Give you peace by all means - In every way and manner.
The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible by John Wesley [1754-65] Bible Hub |
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