Established and Kept from Evil 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Paul the apostle asked the Thessalonian church members to pray for he and his companions “that the word of the Lord may have free course”, and that they “may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men” because “all men have not faith”. In chapter three and verse three of this second letter to the Thessalonians Paul reassured them “the Lord is faithful” and “shall establish” them and “keep” them “from evil” where we read:

But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.

The verse begins, “But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you,...” Paul began with the word, “But” is a disassociation which means what is about to be stated takes precedence over what was previous stated. It means, “moreover, and, also, now” “the Lord” which refers to “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah” “is faithful” or “trusty, one who kept his plighted faith, worthy of trust, can be relied upon and confident in” “who shall establish you” or “make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix, strengthen and make firm the Thessalonian church members in their faith”. Though Paul and his traveling companions desired to be “delivered from unreasonable and wicked men” and had to deal with non-believing people, the Thessalonian church members were promised to be “made firm and stable” by our “faithful Lord”.

The verse goes on to say, “...and keep you from evil.” Paul continued, “and keep you from” which means “guard, keep watch, have an eye upon, protect and preserve the church members from” “evil” which means “full of labors, annoyances, hardships, toils and perils” and refers to “bad, of a bad nature or condition, disease and wickedness”. Paul knew our “faithful Lord” would also “watch and guard” over the Thessalonians whenever “bad and wickedness” might attempt to come upon them.

When we meditate upon Paul's words, we find comfort in our “Lord Jesus” guarding over and watching over us. To be “established” by him, and kept “from evil” by Him is a great blessing in our lives. For those who “rely upon, trust in and cling to” Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, these promises are available, however, should a person “reject” the gospel of Jesus Christ, they are open for the enemy to attack and continually annoy them with bad conditions, evil and disease. May we find the Lord faithful in setting us firm in our faith, and keeping us “from evil” and “wickedness” as was promised to the Thessalonians.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians he has “confidence in the Lord” about them, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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