2 Thessalonians 3:3

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Thessalonians 3:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and guard you from the evil [one].” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and guard you from the evil [one].
2 Thessalonians 3:3 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Thessalonians 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and guard you from the evil [one].

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But the Lord is faithful, &c.] Or “God” as the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions read, as do also the Alexandrian and Claromontane copies. This is said for the comfort of the saints, lest they should be discouraged upon hearing that all professors of faith in Christ had it not, who might be ready to take it to themselves, and fear, that either they had it not, or if they had, that they might lose it, and fall from it. Wherefore the apostle observes to them the comfortable attribute of God's faithfulness, which he will not suffer to fail. He has promised many things, and he is faithful that has promised, who also will do them, nor will any good thing he has promised ever fail. Who shall…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“faithful--alluding to "faith" (Th2 3:2) : though many will not believe, the Lord (other very old manuscripts read "God") is still to be believed in as faithful to His promises (Th1 5:24; Ti2 2:13). Faith on the part of man answers to faithfulness on the part of God. stablish you--as he had prayed (Th2 2:17). Though it was on himself that wicked men were making their onset, he turns away from asking the Thessalonians' prayers for HIS deliverance (Th2 3:2 : so unselfish was he, even in religion), to express his assurance of THEIR establishment in the faith, and preservation from evil. This assurance thus exactly answers to his prayer for them (Th2 2:17), "Our Lord . . . stablish you in every…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But the Lord is faithful - - Though human beings cannot be trusted, God is faithful to his promises and his purposes. He may always be confided in; and when people are unbelieving, perverse, unkind, and disposed to do us wrong, we may go to him, and we shall always find in him one in whom we may confide. This is an exceedingly interesting declaration, and is a beautiful illustration of the resource which a truly pious mind will feel that it has. We often have occasion to know, to our sorrow, that “all men have not faith.” We witness their infidelity. We see how they turn away from the truth. We see many who once gave some evidence that they had “faith,” abandon it all; and we see many in the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Who will stablish you - That cleave to him by faith. And guard you from the evil one - And all his instruments. 2 Thessalonians 3:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:3 The sufferings the Thessalonians faced were caused by the evil one (or by evil; see 2:9; cp. 1:4-6; 1 Thes 1:6; 2:14).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the Lord: Co1 1:9, Co1 10:13; Th1 5:24 stablish: Th2 2:17 and: Gen 48:16; Ch1 4:10; Psa 19:13, Psa 121:7; Mat 6:13; Luk 11:4; Joh 17:15; Ti2 4:18; Pe2 2:9; Jde 1:24 2 Thessalonians 3:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification