2 Thessalonians 2:17

Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

Comfort {G3870} your {G5216} hearts {G2588}, and {G2532} stablish {G4741} you {G5209} in {G1722} every {G3956} good {G18} word {G3056} and {G2532} work {G2041}.

comfort your hearts and strengthen you in every good word and deed.

encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good word and deed.

comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Commentary

2 Thessalonians 2:17 (KJV): Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

Context

This verse is part of a concluding prayer in Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians. In chapter 2, Paul addresses their confusion regarding the timing of the Lord's return and the appearance of the "man of sin." He assures them that they have not missed these events and reminds them of God's sovereign plan, including their election for salvation through sanctification and belief in the truth. Verses 16 and 17 form a prayer from Paul, Silas, and Timothy, asking God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ to provide comfort and strength to the believers amidst deception and trials.

Key Themes

  • Divine Comfort: The prayer asks God to "comfort your hearts." This comfort is not merely sympathy but active strengthening and encouragement, especially crucial for believers facing uncertainty and persecution. It flows from God's grace and love mentioned in the preceding verse.
  • Spiritual Establishment: To "stablish you" means to make firm, strengthen, or ground securely. This refers to being made steadfast and stable in faith and practice, preventing them from being easily shaken by false teachings or difficult circumstances.
  • Good Word and Work: The establishment is "in every good word and work." This highlights the importance of both sound doctrine (good word) and righteous living (good work) as integral parts of a stable Christian life. True stability involves both correct belief and consistent action.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "comfort" is parakaleō (παρακαλέω), which means to call alongside, to encourage, exhort, or console. It's a multifaceted term suggesting both solace and motivation. The word for "stablish" is stērizō (στηρίζω), meaning to make firm, fix, establish, or strengthen. It implies providing a solid foundation or support so something does not waver.

Reflection and Application

This verse serves as a timeless prayer for believers. In a world filled with confusion and challenges, we need God's comfort for our anxieties and His strength to remain steadfast. The prayer reminds us that Christian maturity involves being grounded not just in correct belief (good word) but also in living out our faith through righteous actions (good work). We can pray this verse for ourselves and for fellow believers, asking God to comfort hearts and establish lives firmly in Him, enabling us to walk in the good works He has prepared for us.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:3

    But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep [you] from evil.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:13

    To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:2

    And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

  • Jude 1:24

    Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

  • Colossians 2:7

    Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

  • Romans 15:13

    ¶ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:8

    Who shall also confirm you unto the end, [that ye may be] blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.