2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 1Finally, brothers [and sisters], pray for us, in order that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, just as also with you, 2and in order that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for not all have faith.
Paul now asks the Thessalonians to pray for him, Silas, and Timothy on their mission to preach the gospel in new places. He uses two purpose clauses that highlight the topic the Thessalonians can pray for and the hoped for outcome of their prayers.
First, he asks them to pray that the word of the Lord will go out quickly. This word refers to the gospel, the primary topic of Paul’s preaching. The world needed to hear the good news of salvation available through Jesus Christ. This message would change the world if people would only accept it. The gospel always transforms when it is received with faith and obedience. The verb may spread rapidly (trechē) gives a sense of urgency and need, which fits well in a letter that deals with the second coming of Jesus and the need to be prepared and alert against false teaching.
The way the gospel can be glorified (doxazētai, a passive verb) is when people accept it, just as the Thessalonians did. God’s message of redemption finds its target in the hearts of people and results in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ being glorified (1:12).
The second goal of the prayer is more personal. Paul asks the Thessalonians to interceded for the ministry team so that they will be rescued (hrysthōmen) from those who seek to harm them. This salvation would come in the form of deliverance from suffering and persecution and new opportunity for preaching the gospel. Paul describes those who cause problems in three ways. First, they are wicked (atopōn), pervese, or evil people. This word is rare in the New Testament and basically describes something out of place. Second, they are evil (ponērōn) people who engage in unloving, cruel, and sinful actions. Third, the cause of the first two mean actions is that they have rejected the truth of God and and do not have faith.
With God on their side, Paul, Silas, and Timothy will be successful in their mission. With God’s blessings, they will be able to do this mission in peace. Even if God did not rescue them from suffering, they would still seek to be worthy of God’s calling and obedient to God’s leading. They set a good example for how the Thessalonians could also fulfill God’s calling upon them (1:11).
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