Let the Word of the Lord be Glorified

The Word of God, who is Jesus Christ himself—though not currently in the flesh on earth—must go forth to all nations through his messengers, the body of Christ: believers who boldly proclaim his Word until every nation has a witness to the glory due the Most High. Though many hindrances arise from the enemy, the Lord is faithful, and He will accomplish His will. Therefore, we can boldly join Jesus, who ever lives to make intercession for us, and Paul in this very prayer—that the Word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified.

"But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” 

(2 Thessalonians 2 Th 2:13-3:5 ESV)

CONTEXT

Paul’s second letter to the church in Thessalonica was likely written shortly after the first. Timothy, who had delivered the first letter, probably returned to Paul with news about the church. In response, Paul wrote a follow-up letter, which we now know as 2 Thessalonians.

The church in Thessalonica continued to face persecution. Additionally, false teachers were spreading misinformation about the Second Coming, causing some believers to stop working as they awaited Christ’s return. In response, Paul reassures them that the Lord has not yet come and urges them to hold fast to the Word of God that was spoken to them. He encourages them to remain steadfast in doing good and working diligently for God’s glory. Paul also comforts them by reminding them that God’s glory and judgment are coming.

THANKSGIVING FOR THE FIRSTFRUITS

As in his first prayer in this letter, Paul begins with thanksgiving for the believers in Thessalonica, which also serves as encouragement. The Thessalonians were enduring persecution for their faith, and Paul had just described an even more intense time of suffering to come. Yet, there was no doubt about the outcome—those who believe would share in Christ’s glory when He comes to restore justice on the earth. Therefore, Paul reminded them and thanked God that they were the firstfruits of the gospel and that they lived by the power of the Holy Spirit according to God’s will, as confirmed by Timothy’s report.

In his thanksgiving, Paul reminds them that just as they share in suffering, they will also share in the future day of glory. Therefore, the believers are to remain faithful to this teaching, holding firmly to it without wavering, even in the face of opposing views. They are to stand firm and continue walking in the way of Christ.

“and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:17 ESV)

MAY GRACE AND HOPE ENCOURAGE AND STRENGTHEN THE BELOVED ONES

To do so they need the assurance that they are loved and believe in that living hope that they have been born into (1 Peter 1:3). Paul’s short and simple prayer is for them to have a strengthened faith to believe in that grace that saved them and the hope they are living in so that they would be comforted in their affliction, encouraged to keep pressing on and to live continually for the glory of Christ in everything and all they do by the power of God’s mighty grace similar to the prayer at the beginning of the letter.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5 NIV)

THE PRAYER

MAY THE WORD OF THE LORD RUN SWIFTLY AND BE GLORIFIED

Paul views the Word of the Lord—specifically the gospel of Jesus Christ and His kingdom—as active and powerful, moving swiftly to accomplish God’s purpose (Psalm 147:15; Jeremiah 23:29). He uses the well-known image of a victorious athlete running, illustrating how the gospel spreads to new places, is well received, and is honored—ultimately bringing glory to Christ. Paul asks the Thessalonians, as firstfruits of the gospel, to pray for him just as he prays for them. Their shared concern is the advancement of the gospel, that it would not be hindered but honored, transforming lives and leading many to faith.

With the soon-coming Day of the Lord in view, the urgency of spreading the gospel remains central. This prayer not only calls the believers in Thessalonica—and us—to boldness in proclaiming the Word but also seeks deliverance from those who seek to obstruct it. The gospel reaching Thessalonica was only the beginning—now, it must continue unhindered, bringing salvation to others and glorifying Christ as hearts receive and honor His truth.

​​”For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:13-15 ESV)

MAY THE FAITHFUL LORD ESTABLISH YOU AND GUARD HIS PEOPLE FROM THE EVIL ONE

Paul prays for deliverance—not for his own sake, but so that the gospel may continue to go forth unhindered. Persecution was a very real experience for both Paul and the Thessalonians, a reminder that the advance of the gospel is always met with fierce opposition. The spiritual battle rages for people’s souls, and the evil one does not easily surrender his hold. Yet, in the midst of suffering, the faithfulness of God remains unshaken. The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to ask for deliverance from the evil one, not only for physical protection but especially for spiritual preservation. Paul and his companions know that only God can rescue them and also the Thessalonians from such overwhelming threats, just as He has always been the refuge for His people throughout history.

With a praying spirit and great faith, Paul reminds the believers that the Lord, in His faithfulness, is both the protector of His gospel and the strength of His people. Though believers will face trials, God will establish them so that they do not fall. The verb rhyomai, meaning "to be delivered," was often used to describe divine rescue, and Paul trusts that God will guard them all, just as a shepherd watches over his sheep (Luke 2:8). His faithfulness is not merely about shielding them from hardship, but about keeping them steadfast through it. The ultimate promise remains unchanged: the gospel will continue to spread, and those who belong to Christ will be upheld, strengthened, and brought into eternal communion with Him.

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,” (Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV)

MAY THE LORD DIRECT HEARTS INTO THE LOVE OF GOD AND THE STEADFASTNESS OF CHRIST

Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians was that the Lord would guide their hearts ever deeper into an understanding of God’s love and the endurance found in Christ. He longed for them to move forward with unwavering commitment, meditating on the depth of God’s love and the steadfast perseverance of Jesus. Such inner determination would equip them to face and overcome the trials before them. The prayer is not merely for intellectual understanding but for a transformation of their entire inner life, fully aligning their hearts with these divine realities.

Endurance, as Paul describes it, is the ability to remain unwavering in purpose and faith, even amid great suffering. Just as Christ endured faithfully, Paul prays that the Thessalonians would reflect the same perseverance in their own lives. The heart—the very center of their being—must be directed by the Lord so that His purposes are accomplished in them. Their moral life, shaped by divine love and steadfastness, should mirror the character of God the Father and Jesus Christ. In this, Paul calls them to action: Act as God acts! Live in love, stand firm in trials, and let your lives be a testimony of the gospel.

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” (1 Corinthians 13:7-8a ESV)

WE PRAY

“Father, we thank You for Your Word that has reached us and many others all across the earth. Today, we pray that the Word of Jesus Christ would continue to go forth through the church, the believers, and messengers, until all nations sing and bring glory to Your name. Let nothing hinder Your work. For this reason, we also pray that You would strengthen believers all across the earth to persevere, that they would continue in Your ways, Jesus—ways of love and steadfastness. Today, remind them of Your faithfulness and restore hope where hope is lost. Let Your Word run swiftly across the earth, reflecting Your love and faithfulness to both believers and unbelievers, so that Your name would be honored. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”

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REFERENCES

Bruce Barton et al., Life Application New Testament Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2001).

Gene L. Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos, 2002).

Gordon D. Fee, The First and Second Letters to the Thessalonians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009).

Leon Morris, 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 13, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1984).