Devine Scripture

2 Thessalonians 3:5

What does 2 Thessalonians 3:5 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Thessalonians 3:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Thessalonians 3:5 means

Paul prays that the Lord would direct their hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. This is not merely an appeal for warmth of feeling, but for a God-guided alignment of their inner life. To be directed into God’s love is to rest in and reflect the love that God shows. The “patience of Christ” points to Christ’s steadfast endurance and the endurance that comes from him. Under pressure, believers need both realities: assurance of divine love and strength to persist like their Savior. Such heart-direction empowers wise, steady obedience, especially as they address disorder and discouragement within the church.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And may your hearts be guided by the Lord into the love of God and quiet waiting for Christ.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God, and to the endurance of the Christ.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the Lord direct your hearts, in the charity of God and the patience of Christ.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But the Lord direct your hearts into the love ofGod, and into the patience of the Christ.

Context

This prayer sits strategically between Paul’s confidence in their obedience (verse 4) and his stern instruction about disorder (verse 6). It supplies the inner resources required to carry out the hard task ahead. Love and endurance protect the church from harshness on one hand and permissiveness on the other. With their hearts so guided, the Thessalonians can handle the coming commands about withdrawing from disorderly brothers while still aiming at restoration and unity.

v.4And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command.

v.5This passage

v.6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which they received of us.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • James 1:16

    Be not deceived, my beloved brethren.

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:10

    and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come.

  • Proverbs 3:6

    In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.

  • Deuteronomy 30:6

    And Jehovah thy God will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

  • Philippians 3:20

    For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

  • Jeremiah 31:33

    But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

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