2 Thessalonians Chapter 3

Other Translations

web (web) - WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV

1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you,

2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for not all have faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command.

5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and into the perseverance of Christ.

6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion and not after the tradition which they received from us.

7 For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you,

8 neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you.

9 This was not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.”

11 For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.

13 But you, brothers, don’t be weary in doing what is right.

14 If any man doesn’t obey our word in this letter, note that man and have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.

15 Don’t count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.

17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter. This is how I write.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Explanations by Age Level

Explain Like I'm 5

A long, long time ago, there was nothing at all - no earth, no sky, no animals, no people. It was all dark and empty. But God was there! God is so powerful that He can make anything just by speaking. So God said "Let there be light!" and BOOM! There was light everywhere! God saw that the light was beautiful and good. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night." This was the very first day when God started making our wonderful world!

Explain Like I'm 10

Before anything existed - no planets, stars, or life - God decided to create the universe. The earth started out as a dark, empty place covered with water. But God's Spirit was there, ready to bring order and beauty to everything. When God spoke and said "Let there be light," light immediately appeared because God's words have incredible power. God looked at the light and was pleased with what He had made. He organized time by separating light (day) from darkness (night), creating the first 24-hour period. This shows us that God is organized and purposeful in everything He does.

Explain Like I'm 15

Genesis 1:1-5 establishes fundamental theological truths about God and creation. The Hebrew word "bara" (created) indicates creation from nothing (ex nihilo), demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and power. The phrase "without form and void" (tohu wa-bohu) describes a state of chaos that God transforms into order. The Spirit of God "hovering" or "brooding" over the waters suggests active, caring involvement in creation. The creation of light before the sun (created on day 4) indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of light and energy. The establishment of day and night creates the framework of time, showing that God operates within orderly patterns while transcending them. This passage refutes both atheistic materialism and pantheism, establishing that God is both transcendent (separate from creation) and immanent (actively involved in it).