2 Thessalonians 2:17
What does 2 Thessalonians 2:17 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Thessalonians 2:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Thessalonians 2:17 means
Paul asks that the Lord “comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” Comfort aims at the inner life—settling fears, strengthening affections. Establishment aims at outward life—consistent obedience in deed and speech. Together they answer the chapter’s needs: anxious believers require both assurance and steadfast practice amid confusion. The prayer recognizes that perseverance is a gift as well as a duty; God must fortify His people to hold the traditions and to live them out. By ending with this request, Paul grounds the Thessalonians’ stability not in their resolve alone but in the ongoing ministry of the Father and the Son.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Give you comfort and strength in every good work and word.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752DBY
Darby Bible · 1890encourage your hearts, and establish you in every good work and word.
Context
This closing petition crowns the chapter. After correcting error, unveiling the future, contrasting judgment with salvation, and exhorting steadfastness, Paul entrusts the church to God’s daily grace. The request for comfort and establishment directly serves v15’s charge and anticipates ongoing trials. As the letter moves forward, practical matters will continue, but this chapter ends with a prayer that the believers be equipped in heart and in conduct to remain faithful until “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
v.16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,
v.17This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 13:9
Be not carried away by divers and strange teachings: for it is good that the heart be established by grace; not by meats, wherein they that occupied themselves were not profited.
- Romans 16:25
Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal,
- Colossians 2:7
rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
- Isaiah 62:7
and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
- Isaiah 51:3
For Jehovah hath comforted Zion; he hath comforted all her waste places, and hath made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Jehovah; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
- Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
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