“Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.” (2 Thessalonians 3:1–2 (ESV)
Twice in 2 Thessalonians the Apostle Paul, Silas and Timothy offered prayers on behalf of the Thessalonian believers in Christ (1:3-4; 2:13-17). It is certainly appropriate for pastors and elders to pray for the congregation wherein they serve as overseers. Paul and his companions did so. So, should church leaders today.
At the church where I serve as an elder, we pray for the congregation individually collectively and regularly. We also observe an annual Elders’ Prayer Retreat the first, or second, weekend in June. For this extended time, we pray for all requests presented to us beforehand: individually and collectively.
However, how often do believers in Christ pray for their pastors and church elders? How much time and consideration are given by the membership to praying for those individuals who shepherd their local church? Perhaps someone may reply it is the elders’ and pastors’ job to pray for the church, not the other way around. This perspective is not only short sided, it is also unbiblical.
Today’s text supports the need for believers in Christ to pray for those who minister to them as church leaders. It matters little if those leaders are evangelists, missionaries, elders, or pastor/teachers. All leaders need prayer and all believers need to pray for their leaders.
Paul strikes a biblical balance between the sovereignty of God in salvation and the responsibility of believers in Christ to share the Gospel. Additionally, it is appropriate for believers to pray for the effectual ministry of the Gospel in the conversion of sinners.
“One of the most striking things about the Bible’s teaching on divine sovereignty and human responsibility is that while we might be inclined to set them in opposition, the biblical authors never do so. Commentators note that Paul’s request for prayer in 2 Thessalonians 3:1–2 is connected to his conviction of divine election in 2:13–17 through his use of the word “finally.” Paul saw the certainty of God’s electing grace as making it more necessary to pray for the gospel’s success, not less. While there is some mystery here, this connection is not wholly inexplicable. If we are confident that God has His people all over the world and that His gospel will certainly save them, then we are encouraged to pray because we know that all prayers for the salvation of His elect will be answered in the affirmative,” states Dr. R.C. Sproul.
In bringing his second letter to a conclusion with the phrase “Finally, brothers,” Paul said, “pray for us” (προσεύχεσθε περὶ ἡμῶν; proseuchesthe peri hemon). This phrase is a present, middle or personal, imperative, plural verb. Paul was not presenting a casual request. The apostle was commanding the church to pray for him, Silas and Timothy. These were strong words filled with apostolic authority. Why was Paul so adamant about the Thessalonians praying for him and his partners in ministry, and by implication, all believers praying for their church leaders?
The first reason Paul gave was “that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you.” Paul was not requesting prayer for any personal peace of affluence. Rather, his prayer request was for the advancement of the Gospel. The phrase may speed ahead (τρέχῃ; treche) was for the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to spread rapidly and to grow quickly. To be honored (δοξάζηται; doxazetai) refers to people respecting and glorifying the Gospel. By doing so, God is glorified.
“Paul sets much store by the intercession of fellow-believers for himself and his fellow-workers (see on 1 Thess. 5:25; cf. Rom. 15:30–32; 2 Cor. 1:11; Phil. 1:19; Col. 4:2; Philem. 22). It is not improbable that here the present tense has continuative force: “Continue to pray for us,” or “Pray constantly for us.” Note, however, that the prayer is not so much for personal blessings as it is for the progress of the gospel by means of the work of the missionaries, though the latter does not exclude the former,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
“Paul prays that the word of the Lord (called thus because it proceeds from him and refers to him, that is, to the Lord Jesus Christ) may run (or may run its race) without hindrance and constant interference from the side of the enemy. That this is the meaning is shown by the immediate context. The apostle adds: and be crowned with glory (or simply: “and be glorified”). The fact that he is here employing a figure is evident at once, for in the literal sense of the term “the word of the Lord” does not “run.”
“It is surely entirely in line with Pauline usage to suggest that, as in many other passages so also here, the apostle is borrowing a metaphor from the race-track (cf. Rom. 9:16; 1 Cor. 9:24–27; Gal. 2:2; 5:7; Phil. 2:16). The author of Hebrews makes use of the same figure (Heb. 12:1, 2). However, the verb “and be glorified” which can be somewhat freely translated “and be crowned with glory” also indicates that in his mind the reality emerges out from under the figure. The word of the Lord is glorified when it is accepted by true faith, so that it begins to adorn the lives of believers. Now this “word of the Lord” had been successful in Thessalonica.”[1]
The second reason was “that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.” To be delivered (ῥυσθῶμεν; rhysthomen) means to be rescued from danger. The danger was from wicked (ἀτόπων; atopon) and evil (πονηρῶν; pomeron) individuals. These were they who possessed respectively improper behavior and immoral natures. In other words, they were people without faith in Christ. They were the unconverted.
The meaning is: “Most people have and show in their conduct the very opposite of faith, namely, unbelief, vicious opposition to the truth.” Lack of faith explains the hostile attitude to Christ, his gospel, his ambassadors,” concludes Dr. Hendriksen.[2]
May we not only pray for those who minister and lead our local churches, but also for the spread of the Gospel. May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of I-II Thessalonians, vol. 3, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 194.
[2] Ibid.
His Word Today 