2 Thessalonians 3:4
What does 2 Thessalonians 3:4 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Thessalonians 3:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Thessalonians 3:4 means
Paul expresses pastoral confidence, but its basis is “in the Lord.” He trusts that the Thessalonians are doing and will continue to do what he commands. This is neither flattery nor presumption; it is faith that God’s grace is at work in them. Present obedience and future perseverance go together under the Lord’s enabling. Paul’s authority is apostolic, yet he leans on God’s power in them, not on pressure tactics. His confidence encourages them and subtly summons them to live up to it. The Christian life is not a one-time response but an ongoing pattern of obeying Christ’s word as it comes through his commissioned servants.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And we have faith in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things about which we give you orders.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that the things that we command you ye both do and will do;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And we have confidence concerning you in the Lord that the things which we command, you both do and will do.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But we trust in the Lord as to you, that the things which we enjoin, ye both do and will do.
Context
From divine faithfulness (verse 3), Paul turns to confident expectation about the church’s obedience. This bridges theology and practice. He is about to issue a difficult command regarding disorderly brothers (verse 6), so he reassures them that, by the Lord’s help, they will heed him. Between assurance and command, verse 5 will offer a prayer for inner direction, showing that true obedience springs from hearts aligned with God’s love and Christ’s endurance.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 14:37
If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:12
Now them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:10
for indeed ye do it toward all the brethren that are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brethren, that ye abound more and more;
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1
Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk,—that ye abound more and more.
- 2 Corinthians 2:3
And I wrote this very thing, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.
- Romans 15:14
And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
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