“And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command.” (2 Thessalonians 3:4 (ESV)
The secular worldview elevates self-confidence to the superlative. Without a faith in the One, True and the Lord Jesus Christ, self-confidence is all it has. As one popular recording artist once said, “To love yourself is the greatest love of all.” Consider the following, random quotations.
“It is confidence in our bodies, minds and spirits that allows us to keep looking for new adventures.” – Oprah Winfrey
“Self-confidence is the best outfit: Rock it, Own it.” – Anonymous
“Confidence is most beautiful thing you can possess.” – Sabrina Carpenter
“I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence but it comes from within. It is there all the time.” – Anna Freud
According to Webster’s Dictionary, confidence is “a feeling or consciousness of one’s powers or of reliance on one’s circumstances.” It is “faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way.”
The Scriptures portray an individual’s confidence to be centered in the Lord. “Confidence, in a biblical context, refers to a firm trust or belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. It is often associated with faith and assurance, particularly in God and His promises. Confidence is not merely self-assurance but is deeply rooted in the character and faithfulness of God,” explains one commentator.
In the Old Testament, confidence is frequently linked to trust in God rather than in human strength or wisdom. Proverbs 3:26 states, “For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” Likewise, Psalm 118:8-9 says, “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.”
In the New Testament, confidence is often associated with faith in Jesus Christ and one’s assurance of salvation. Hebrews 10:35-36 says, “So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward. You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”
The Apostle Paul frequently spoke of confidence in Christ. Philippians 1:6 says, “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” This confidence is not self-centered but is grounded on the faithfulness of God.
In today’s text, Paul, Silas and Timothy expressed confidence (πεποίθαμεν; pepoithomen). This refers to their continual and active persuasion and conviction, in the Lord Jesus Christ, about the persevering faith of the Thessalonian believers. The missionary trio was confidence these believers would do, presently and in the future, the will of God.
“Apart from “the Lord” (that is, Jesus Christ; see 1 Thess. 1:1) confidence in the readers and in their future conduct would have lacked a firm basis. One never knows what mere men are going to do. But by virtue of union with the Lord (for that is the meaning of “in the Lord”) the confidence which Paul has is well-founded, for the Lord perfects that which he has begun (cf. Gal. 5:10; Phil. 1:6). By means of obedience to the commandments (cf. 1 Thess. 4:11)—those issued before and also those which Paul is about to issue (in verses 6–15)—spiritual strengthening and protection is and will be attained. The readers are doing and are going to do what they are told to do,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen..[1]
Verse 4 does not begin a new section. It is very closely related to the preceding verse, as we have shown. It also prepares for the things that immediately follow. It shows delicate, admirable tact. The commandment will not sound nearly as harsh when those who issue it (principally Paul, but also Silas and Timothy) are kind enough to preface it by saying, “We have confidence … that what we command, you are doing and will continue to do.” Verse 4 is therefore a window through which we can look into the wise, kind, and considerate soul of Paul.[2]
Where is your confidence? Is it in yourself or some self-help motivational speaker? For the believer in Christ, our confidence must be rooted and grounded in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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), 196–197.
[2] Ibid.
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