Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent, [1886], at sacred-texts.com
2 Thessalonians Chapter 3
Finally (τὸ λοιπὸν)
See on Th1 4:1.
May have free course (τρέχῃ)
More literally, simply, and better, may run. Have swift progress through the world. An O.T. idea. See Psa 147:15, and comp. Isa 55:11 and Act 12:24.
Be glorified (δοξάζηται)
Acknowledged in its true power and glory. Comp. Joh 12:28. The phrase the word of the Lord - be glorified, only here.
Unreasonable (ἀτόπων)
See on Luk 23:41, and comp. Act 25:5; Act 28:6. In lxx in a moral sense, iniquitous, Job 4:8; Job 11:11; Job 34:12. The word originally means out of place.
All men have not faith
See on Act 6:7; see on Gal 1:23.
From evil (ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ)
Possibly, from the evil one. Τὸ πονηρόν evil is found Rom 12:9; Mat 5:39; but general N.T. usage favors the masculine, personal sense. See Mat 13:19, Mat 13:38; Eph 6:16; Jo1 2:13, Jo1 2:14; Jo1 3:12; Jo1 5:18. In lxx, τὸ πονηρόν evil is very common: ὁ πονηρὸς a few times, but always of men. See Deu 24:7; Est 7:6; Job 21:30. In Tob 3:8, 17, τὸ πονηρόν δαιμόνιον the wicked demon. The masculine is favored by the Jewish formularies, of which traces appear in the Lord's prayer; by the unanimous tradition of Greek interpreters; by the interpretations of Tertullian and Cyprian, and by the evidence of the Syriac and Sahidic Versions.
Hearts (καρδίας)
See on Rom 1:21; see on Rom 10:10; see on Eph 1:18.
Patient waiting for Christ (ὑπομονὴν τοῦ χριστοῦ)
Rather patience of Christ. The prayer is that their hearts may be directed to love God and to exhibit the patience of Christ.
Withdraw yourselves from (στέλλεσθαι ὑμᾶς ἀπὸ)
Στέλλεσθαι, Po. In the active voice, to place, arrange, equip: in the middle voice, to provide for, take care. See Co2 8:20. Here with ἀπὸ from, to place one's self away from.
Disorderly (ἀτάκτως)
This adverb, the verb ἀτακτέω, and the adjective ἄτακτος are found only in Paul, and only in the Thessalonian Epistles. See on Th1 5:14.
Follow (μιμεῖσθαι)
Better, imitate. Comp. Co1 4:16; Co1 11:1; Phi 3:17; Th1 1:6.
Any man's bread (ἄρτον παρά τινος)
Lit. bread from any one, or at any man's hand.
For nought (δωρεὰν)
The word is a noun, meaning a gift. See Joh 4:10; Act 2:38; Rom 5:15. The accusative often adverbially as here; as a gift, gratis. Comp. Mat 10:8; Rom 3:24; Rev 21:6.
Labor and travail
See on Th1 1:3.
Be chargeable (ἐπιβαρῆσαι)
Po. Better, burden. By depending upon them for pecuniary support. Comp. 1 Corinthians 9:3-18, and see on Th1 2:6.
Power (ἐξουσίαν)
Better, right. See on Mar 2:10; see on Joh 1:12.
If any would not work, etc.
A Jewish proverb.
Working not at all - busybodies (μηδὲν ἐργαζομένους - περιεργαζομένους)
One of Paul's frequent wordplays. See on reprobate mind, Rom 1:28. Not busy, but busybodies. Περιεργάζεσθαι (N.T.o.) is to bustle about a thing: here, to be officious in others' affairs. See on τὰ περίεργα curious arts, Act 19:19, and see on Ti1 5:13.
With quietness - work
See on study to be quiet, Th1 4:11.
Be not weary (ἐντραπῇ)
With one exception, Luk 13:1, only in Paul. To faint or lose heart.
Well doing (καλοποιοῦντες)
N.T.o. According to the Greek idiom, doing well, be not weary. Not limited to works of charity, but including Christian conduct generally, as, for instance, steadily attending to their own business, Th2 3:12.
By this epistle
Connect with our word. The message we send in this letter. Not, as some, with the following words, note that man in your epistle.
Note (σημειοῦσθε)
N.T.o. Lit. set a mark on. The nature of the mark is indicated in the next clause.
Have no company with (μὴ συναναμίγνυσθαι)
Po. See on Co1 5:9.
Be ashamed (ἐντραπῇ)
See on Mat 21:37, and see on Co1 4:14.
Admonish (νουθετεῖτε)
See on Act 20:31, and see on Eph 6:4.
The Lord of peace (ὁ κύριος τῆς εἰρήνης)
The only instance of the formula.
By all means (ἐν παντὶ τρόπῳ)
Or in every way. The alternative reading τόπῳ place is rejected by the principal texts.
The salutation of Paul with mine own hand (ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ χειρὶ Παύλου)
Rev. properly, "the salutation of me Paul." The genitive of me is contained, according to a familiar Greek idiom, in the possessive pronoun my. Paul had apparently been employing an amanuensis.
In every epistle