Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Thessalonian 3:4
And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
4. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you ] “The Lord” is not, as the English phrase may suggest, the object of this confidence 2Th 3:3 declared the Apostle’s trust in Him but the ground on which rests his confidence in the Thessalonian Church. His relations with them and feelings towards them have the common relationship of both to Christ for their foundation and background, their vital underlying bond; comp. 1Th 3:2 ; 1Th 4:1; 1Th 4:16; 1Th 5:12 and 2Th 3:12 below. No idiom is more frequent or characteristic of St Paul than this in the Lord, in Christ. But it is “to you ” that his confidence is now directed; the construction of the Greek is identical with that of 2Co 2:3, “having confidence in you all.” Let us accordingly read here, in the Lord we have confidence in you. Such is the trust that all true Christians should give to each other.
For command read charge, as in 1Th 4:2 11 (see notes). The word is taken up again in 2Th 3:6. The Apostle seems to have an eye already to the “charge” that he is about to give, which will put to the test his readers’ obedience. The like satisfaction he has repeatedly expressed (ch. 2Th 1:3; 2Th 1:5 ; 2Th 2:13; 1Th 1:3 ; 1Th 3:6-10; 1Th 4:1; 1Th 4:9-10; 1Th 5:11).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And we have confidence in the Lord – Not primarily in you, for you have hearts like others, but in the Lord. It is remarkable that when Paul expresses the utmost confidence in Christians that they will live and act as becomes their profession, his reliance is not on anything in themselves, but wholly on the faithfulness of God. He must be a stranger to the human heart who puts much confidence in it even in its best state; see Phi 1:6; Phi 4:7; 2Ti 1:12; compare Jud 1:24; Rev 3:10; Pro 28:26.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 4. And we have confidence] We have no doubt of God’s kindness towards you; he loves you, and will support you: and we can confide in you, that ye are now acting as we have desired you, and will continue so to do.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The apostle had before declared his confidence that God would establish them and keep them from evil, and now here declares his confidence in them concerning their obedience; for he knew well that this is the way of Gods keeping men; and hereby he shows that he built his confidence concerning what he had before declared about their election, calling, establishment, and preservation upon some good ground. And he describes their obedience by doing what the apostle and his fellow labourers in the gospel among them commanded them, whether they were commandments about the duties of the law of the first or second tables, or the doctrine, order, worship, or discipline of the gospel; so that their commandments were no other but the commandments of the Lord himself, Mat 28:20; 1Co 14:37. Ministers are not arbitrary commanders in the church; not lords over Gods heritage, 1Pe 5:3, or have dominion over the peoples faith, 2Co 1:24; nor may they, as the Pharisees, teach for doctrines the commandments of men, Mat 15:9. And he speaks before of these Thessalonians, that they received the word preached by them, not as the word of men, but of God, 1Th 2:13. Both our faith and practice in religion are to be built upon Divine authority; either upon what God hath expressly declared, or what by clear consequence may be derived from it. So that what they command the people is from the Lord, and not themselves. Their work is to search out the mind and will of Christ, as revealed in the Scripture, seeing they have not that immediate infallible inspiration that the apostles had, who were called to lay the foundation which others were to build upon. And as to those things that are but appendices, and not of the substance of religion, and for which no particular rule is or can be laid down, Christian prudence is to regulate them according to general rules, wherein the advice, appointment, and authority of the minister is to be regarded in every church. Yet nothing ought to be enjoined in these things that is uncomely, that is not for edification, that is not of good report, that hath an appearance of evil, that gives just occasion of offence, that transgresseth the general rule of mercy, that is a direction of superstition, whereby many of the commandments of the Romish Church are justly condemned. And obedience to these commandments of the apostle he describes by the universality of it,
the things that we command you; that is, all things; the indefinite being equivalent to the universal. And by the constancy of it, that ye both do and will do, & c.; ye will persevere to do what commandments ye have already received, or any new commandments we shall further give you; some whereof are probably such as are mentioned in the following part of this chapter. And their present obedience gave the apostle confidence about that which was future; at least he declares to them this confidence, as an insinuating argument to persuade them thereunto.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4. we have confidence in the Lordas”faithful” (2Th 3:3).Have confidence in no man when left to himself [BENGEL].
that ye both doSome ofthe oldest manuscripts insert a clause, “that ye both have done”before, “and are doing, and will do.” He means the majorityby “ye,” not all of them (compare 2Th 3:11;2Th 1:3; 1Th 3:6).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And we have confidence in the Lord touching you,…. The ground of confidence concerning them was not in themselves, in their grace, and strength, and wisdom, and conduct, and good behaviour; but in the Lord, in his grace and strength, and in the power of his might, without whom they could do nothing, but through him strengthening them, could do all things.
That ye both do, and will do the things which we command you; referring both to the commandments, which they had already given them by Christ, and they had showed, and continued to show a proper regard unto, see 1Th 4:1 and also to what would be observed to them, as in 2Th 3:6.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
And we have confidence (). Second perfect indicative of , to persuade, intransitive in this tense, we are in a state of trust.
In the Lord touching you ( ‘ ). Note the two prepositions, in the sphere of the Lord (1Th 4:1) as the ground of Paul’s confident trust, ‘ () with the accusative (towards you) where the dative could have been used (cf. 2Co 2:3).
Ye both do and will do ([] ). Compliment and also appeal, present and future tenses of .
The things which we command ( ). Note of apostolic authority here, not advice or urging, but command.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And we have confidence” (pepoithamen de) “and we are persuaded”; are convinced–with a fixed faith, based on their profession, faith, labors, testimony and love, 1Th 1:3-10.
2) “In the Lord touching you” (en kuriou eph’ humas) In the Lord regarding you all”; Both the Missionaries were in the Lord and they had testamentary and circumstantial evidence that the Thessalonian brethren were in the Lord, in both the sense of being saved and serving faithfully.
3) “That ye both do and will do” (hoti kai poiete kai poiesete) “that you all both do and will (hereafter) do”; 1Th 3:13; 1Th 4:1-12. Paul had confidence that these brethren would serve God (not as men-pleasers, when he was, present only but also when he was away;) Php_2:12-16; Eph 6:6-8.
4) “The things which we command you” (ha parangellomen) “what things we charge or enjoin you; in keeping on in the Master’s work, Mat 28:18-20; 1Th 5:11-27. The term translated “command” does not carry the authority of a “lawgiver”, but of an earnest entreaty, or plea of a brother who would come alongside, to share the doing of the things enjoined, 1Co 3:9; Joh 4:36-38.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
4 We have confidence. By this preface he prepares the way for proceeding to give the instruction, which we shall find him immediately afterwards subjoining. For the confidence which he says he has respecting them, made them much more ready to obey than if he had required obedience from them in a way of doubt or distrust. He says, however, that this hope, which he cherished in reference to them, was founded upon the Lord, inasmuch as it is his to bind their hearts to obedience, and to keep them in it; or by this expression, (as appears to me more probable,) he meant to testify, that it is not his intention to enjoin anything but by the commandment of the Lord. Here, accordingly, he marks out limits for himself as to enjoining, and for them as to obeying — that it should be only in the Lord. (698) All, therefore, that do not observe this limitation, do to no purpose resort to Paul’s example, with the view of binding the Church and subjecting it to their laws. Perhaps he had this also in view, that the respect which was due to his Apostleship might remain unimpaired among the Thessalonians, however the wicked might attempt to deprive him of the honor that belonged to him; for the prayer which he immediately subjoins tends towards this object. For provided men’s hearts continue to be directed towards love to God, and patient waiting for Christ, other things will be in a desirable state, and Paul declares that he desires nothing else. From this it is manifest, how very far he is from seeking dominion for himself peculiarly. For he is satisfied provided they persevere in love to God, and in the hope of Christ’s coming. In following up with prayer his expression of confidence, (699) he admonishes us that we must not relax in eagerness of prayer on the ground that we cherish good hope.
(698) “ Voyci donc les bournes qu’il limite, et pour soy et pour eux: pour soy, de ne commander rien que par le Seigneur: a eux, de ne rendre obeissance sinon au Seigneur;” — “Mark then the limits which he prescribes both for himself and for them: for himself, not to command anything but by the Lord: for them, not to render obedience except to the Lord.”
(699) “ Quand apres auoir protesté de sa confiance, il ne laisse pas d’adiouster encore la priere auec la confiance;” — “When after having declared his confidence, he omits not to add besides, prayer along with confidence.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(4) We have confidence in the Lord touching you.Rather, We rely upon you in the Lord: the clause forms the counterpart to the last verse. St. Chrysostoms whole comment is worth transcription:God, saith he, is faithful, and having promised to save, save He assuredly will, but as He promised. And how did He promise? If we would be agreeable, and would hear Him; not unconditionally, nor while we remain inactive like stocks and stones. Yet, well has he added his, We rely in the Lord: that is, We trust to His love of men. Once more he takes them down, ascribing the whole matter to that quarter; for had he said We trust to you, it would have been a great compliment indeed, but would not have taught them to ascribe all to God; and had he said We rely on the Lord that He will keep you, without adding upon you, and that ye both do and will do what things we command, he would have made them less active by casting the whole upon the power of God. (See the passage of Galatians referred to in the margin.)
Both do and will do.The emphasis of the sentence is on the future tense, the commendation of the present being only intended to do away the rebuke which might have been conveyed by the future alone. How careful St. Paul is not to wound susceptibilities, though he never pleases men! (See, for instance, Notes on 1Th. 4:1; 1Th. 4:9-10; 1Th. 5:11.) This expression of confidence is a happy rhetorical means of preparing readers for the commands which are to follow.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. Confidence in the Lord touching you That on the divine side, since the Lord is faithful, every thing possible will be done; that possibility and faithfulness being limited only by the laws of God’s action in the kingdom of grace, laws prescribed by himself upon himself. And among those laws is the postulate by him required, that man, as free-agent, should use granted grace, and power to meet the conditions necessary to justification, sanctification, persevering grace, and eternal life.
Ye both do and will do That they will do he trusts, first, because God, on the divine side, will stablish and keep; and you, on the human side, will consent to be stablished and kept; that is, that you will do the conditions of the full realization of God’s stablishing and keeping.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And we have confidence in the Lord with regard to you that you both do and will do the things which we command.’
Confident that the Lord will establish and guard them he also has confidence that they are fulfilling and will fulfil what he and his companions ask of them. Whether ‘in the Lord’ refers to ‘having confidence in the Lord’ that He will be the source of their obedience, or is ‘with regard to you in the Lord’, referring to the sphere in which they will be obedient, is an open question but the general idea is the same, confidence in the Thessalonians because of the Lord’s activity. ‘The things which we command’ probably refers to the commands which are about to follow.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
2Th 3:4. And we have confidence, &c. “We have that opinion of you, as Christians, and our dear children, that you will persevere in duty; and that the things which we have recommended, you both practise already, and will continue to practise.” See ch. 2Th 2:15. 2Co 7:16.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Th 3:4 . The apostle has confidence in Christ that He will come to the assistance of the Thessalonians, promoting their faith and protecting them; but he is likewise confident in them , that they on their part will not fail in obedience to the apostle’s commands . Thus the apostle paves the way for a suitable transition to the exhortation in 2Th 3:6 ff.
] a statement of the element of his confidence annexed to , in order to express that the apostle’s confidence in his readers was one founded on Christ , caused by the participation of Christianity. Comp. Gal 5:10 ; Phi 2:24 ; Rom 14:14 .
] see Meyer on 2Co 2:3 .
] does not still belong to the protasis (see Erasmus on the passage), but begins the apodosis.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
Ver. 4. That ye both do and will do ] Qui monet ut facias quod iam facis, ille monendo laudat, &c. Here the apostle, like an orator, entereth their bosoms; and by praising their present obedience, artificially wresteth from them a redoubled diligence; Virtus laudata creseit. Thus being crafty, he catcheth them with guile, as he did those Corinthians, 2Co 12:16 . It must be an elaborate discourse that shall work upon the heart.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
4 .] forms a transition to the exhortations which are to follow, 2Th 3:6 ff.
, as the element in which his confidence is exercised, shews it to be one assuming that they will act consistently with their Christian profession: and so gives the expectation the force of an exhortation, but at the same time of a hopeful exhortation.
(reff.), with reference to you the direction of his confidence. . is all the apodosis not . . , , as Erasm.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
2Th 3:4 . (= we have faith), still playing on the notion of . Paul rallies the Thessalonians by reminding them, not only of God’s faithfulness, but of their friends’ belief in them.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
have confidence. App-150.
Lord. App-98.
touching. App-104.
things. i.e. in verses: 2Th 3:6-14. Compare 1Th 4:11.
command = charge. Greek. parangello. See Act 1:4.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
4.] forms a transition to the exhortations which are to follow, 2Th 3:6 ff.
, as the element in which his confidence is exercised, shews it to be one assuming that they will act consistently with their Christian profession: and so gives the expectation the force of an exhortation, but at the same time of a hopeful exhortation.
(reff.), with reference to you-the direction of his confidence. . is all the apodosis-not . . , , as Erasm.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
2Th 3:4. , in the Lord) Trust [Have confidence in] no man by himself.-, we charge or command) for example, that ye pray for us, that ye fortify yourselves. See 2Th 3:1 [2, 3].
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
2Th 3:4
And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command.-He had confidence that the Lord would so lead them that they both then did and would continue to do what he commanded them to do.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
we have: Rom 15:14, 2Co 2:3, 2Co 7:16, 2Co 8:22, Gal 5:10, Phi 1:6, Phm 1:21
that: 2Th 3:6, 2Th 3:12, Mat 28:20, Rom 2:7, Rom 15:18, 1Co 7:19, 1Co 14:37, 2Co 2:9, 2Co 7:15, Phi 2:12, 1Th 4:1, 1Th 4:2, 1Th 4:10
Reciprocal: Jdg 13:14 – all that I Phi 4:9 – do
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Th 3:4. Confidence in the Lord touching you. This phrase combines Paul’s estimate of the steadiness of the brethren, and his feeling of assurance that the Lord will perform his part of the relationship as the preceding verse states. The outward proof of the truths the apostle here expresses is the present life of obedience among the Thessalonians, which he is sure will be continued.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
2Th 3:4. This verse farther expresses the confidence which Paul felt that, by the faithfulness of the Lord, the Thessalonians would not be moved by persecution, but would boldly continue in the life to which he had introduced them, not fearing to carry out any of the commands he had laid upon them.
We have confidence in the Lord. Here, as elsewhere, the apostle speaks of believing, hoping, doing all things in Christ. We lead an ordinary life, as well as a religious one; but with the apostle his ordinary life is his religious one, and hence he uses religious expressions in reference to all he says and does (Jowett).
That ye both do and will do. Under this expression of confidence, an injunction to further diligence is insinuated. It has been noted as characteristic of Paul, that he admonishes under the form of praise.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
As if the apostle had said, “Although I gave you the assurance of God’s faithful readiness, according to his promise, to do every thing that is requisite on his part, in order to your establishment in holiness, and preservation from sin; yet you must not, you cannot, expect the assistance of God, except you also add your own endeavours, as I have commanded; and accordingly, I have good confidence, that what I command you in the Lord, or by the authority of the Lord, both now and hereafter, at all times, shall be performed by you.”
Where note, The character of that obedience which the gospel directs; it must be universal and perpetual: Ye do all things that I command you, and I have confidence that ye will do.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command. [The faithfulness of God to supply power and protection gave the apostle confidence that the Thessalonians were living in obedience to his instructions, and would continue to so live.]
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
3:4 {3} And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
(3) The second admonition is, that they always follow the doctrine of the apostles as a rule for their life.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
He was also confident that his readers, strengthened by the Lord, would continue to follow apostolic instruction as they had in the past. Paul had confidence in these Christians. Note the chiastic structure of Paul’s thought in 2Th 3:1-4.