Verse Lens · Concise explanation
2 Thessalonians 3:1 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 1. 1Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
Makes mission reciprocal by asking the church to pray that the Lord's word may run and be honored.
Pray that the word would run; trust the Lord who does not fail when people do
This verse is one part of that explanation in 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5 as a complete movement. The opening 'finally' introduces reciprocal prayer and assurance in verses 1–5. Verse 6 shifts to a formal command about members living disorderly. The writers ask prayer for rapid, honored spread of the Lord's word and rescue from harmful people, then contrast unreliable human belief with the faithful Lord who establishes and guards the church and directs hearts into God's love and Christ's endurance.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The transition from prayer for the readers to their prayer for the writers makes ministry reciprocal and advances the letter toward its final commands.
What Remains True
The gospel's advance depends on reciprocal prayer, and its goal is that the Lord's word—not the messenger's brand—be honored.
How It Can Shape Life
- Pray specifically for faithful access, reception, and accountability in another community's witness.
Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5 — Pray for the Word's Advance and Trust the Faithful LordSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: The exact pinned KJV wording and immediate English context for 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5.
Exact location: eBible/CrossWire eng-kjv2006 USFM, source files dated 2026-08-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5; archive and normalized-corpus SHA-256 values are recorded in the library policy.
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: The critically edited Greek wording, connective structure, lexical forms, and variation markers.
Exact location: Official SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/2Thess.txt, 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5.
Open the 2 Thessalonians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — 2 Thessalonians with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005–2026 online edition
Supports: Material translation choices, syntax, and textual variants checked at the cited verses.
Exact location: NET Bible official 2 Thessalonians PDF, chapter 3, translator, study, and textual notes attached to verses 1–5; PDF pp. 3–4.
Open NET 2 Thessalonians 3 ↗modern open commentary
2 Thessalonians
David W. Chapman
The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary, 2023
Supports: A complete modern evangelical commentary check on literary flow, historical setting, theology, and major interpretations.
Exact location: David W. Chapman, The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary, “2 Thessalonians,” Request for Prayer and Transitional Benediction (3:1–5).
Open source ↗modern annotated new testament
2 Thessalonians introduction and annotations in The Jewish Annotated New Testament
Adam Gregerman; edited by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler
Oxford University Press, 2011
Supports: A modern Jewish-context and historical-critical check on authorship, apocalyptic language, persecution, judgment, ethics, and textual questions.
Exact location: Adam Gregerman, “2 Thessalonians,” in The Jewish Annotated New Testament (2011 first edition), print p. 381.
Open source ↗