2 Thessalonians 2:17

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Thessalonians 2:17 is a profound prayer offered by Paul, Silas, and Timothy for the Thessalonian believers, beseeching God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ to grant them deep spiritual comfort and unwavering stability. This divine intervention is sought to fortify their inner being and to ground them firmly in the practice of all that is true and righteous, encompassing both sound doctrine ("good word") and godly conduct ("good work"), particularly as they navigate the challenges of false teaching and eschatological confusion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a significant section in Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians where he addresses their misunderstanding and anxiety concerning the timing of the Lord's return and the appearance of the "man of lawlessness." Following a detailed explanation of the eschatological sequence and a powerful affirmation of God's sovereign election of the Thessalonians for salvation through sanctification and belief in the truth ([2 Thessalonians 2:13](/2_thessalonians/2-13 "2 Thessalonians 2:13 - God's Election")), Paul transitions into a heartfelt prayer in verses 16-17. This prayer serves as a benediction, invoking divine grace and love as the source of the comfort and establishment he desires for them. It acts as a pastoral embrace, reassuring them of God's steadfast care despite the tumultuous times and deceptive influences they face.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Thessalonian church was relatively young, founded during Paul's second missionary journey. They faced significant persecution from both Jewish and Gentile opposition ([1 Thessalonians 2:14-16](/1_thessalonians/2-14-16 "1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 - Persecution of the Thessalonians")). Furthermore, they were troubled by false teachings, particularly concerning the "day of the Lord," with some believing it had already come ([2 Thessalonians 2:1-2](/2_thessalonians/2-1-2 "2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 - The Day of the Lord")). This created confusion, fear, and potentially led to idleness. In this context, Paul's prayer for comfort and stability was not merely a spiritual platitude but a direct address to their pressing needs, aiming to counteract the destabilizing effects of external pressures and internal doctrinal error. The emphasis on "good word and work" also reflects the Hellenistic cultural value placed on both rhetoric (word) and virtuous action (work), though here imbued with Christian theological meaning.
* **Key Themes:** The prayer in [2 Thessalonians 2:16-17](/2_thessalonians/2-16-17 "2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 - Paul's Prayer for the Thessalonians") encapsulates several key themes prevalent in the letter and Paul's broader theology. Firstly, **Divine Sovereignty and Grace** are foundational, as comfort and establishment are sought from "God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace" ([2 Thessalonians 2:16](/2_thessalonians/2-16 "2 Thessalonians 2:16 - Source of Comfort")). Secondly, **Spiritual Perseverance and Steadfastness** are central, as the request to "stablish you" directly addresses the need for believers to remain firm amidst trials and deception, echoing the call to stand firm in [1 Corinthians 16:13](/1_corinthians/16-13 "1 Corinthians 16:13 - Stand Firm in the Faith"). Thirdly, the theme of **Holistic Discipleship** is highlighted by the pairing of "good word and work," emphasizing that Christian maturity involves both sound doctrine (orthodoxy) and righteous living (orthopraxy), a balance consistently urged by Paul, as seen in passages like [Colossians 1:9-10](/colossians/1-9-10 "Colossians 1:9-10 - Walking Worthy of the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Comfort (Greek, _parakaléō'_):** From G3870, this word means "to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)." It is a rich term that goes beyond mere sympathy, encompassing active encouragement, exhortation, and strengthening. In this context, it signifies God's active intervention to bring solace, courage, and renewed hope to the hearts of the distressed Thessalonians, enabling them to face their challenges with divine assurance.
* **Hearts (Greek, _kardía'_):** From G2588, this refers to "the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle." In biblical anthropology, the "heart" is not just the seat of emotions but the core of one's being—the center of intellect, will, and spiritual life. Thus, God's comfort is not superficial but penetrates to the deepest part of their personhood, stabilizing their innermost thoughts and affections.
* **Stablish (Greek, _stērízō'_):** From G4741, this word means "to set fast, i.e. (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (figuratively) to confirm." It implies making something firm, fixed, or unshakeable. Here, it refers to God's work in grounding and strengthening the believers, providing a solid foundation for their faith and conduct so they are not easily swayed by false teachings or adverse circumstances.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Comfort your hearts":** This clause reveals the primary desire of the prayer: for God to provide deep, internal solace and encouragement. The "hearts" (G2588, _kardía_) signify the entirety of their inner person—their minds, emotions, and wills. The comfort (G3870, _parakaléō_) is not passive sympathy but an active, divine strengthening that enables them to endure and overcome the anxieties and confusion they face, stemming from God's love and grace mentioned in the preceding verse.
* **"and stablish you":** Following the comfort, the prayer moves to a request for divine establishment. To "stablish" (G4741, _stērízō_) means to make firm, fix, or strengthen. This implies a process of grounding the believers, making them steadfast and immovable in their faith and commitment. It speaks to their spiritual stability and resilience, preventing them from being shaken by external pressures or internal doubts.
* **"in every good word and work":** This phrase specifies the sphere in which the Thessalonians are to be established. "Every good word" (G3956 _pâs_ G18 _agathós_ G3056 _lógos_) refers to sound doctrine, truth, and the gospel message itself, which is the foundation of their faith. "And work" (G2532 _kaí_ G2041 _érgon_) refers to righteous conduct, ethical living, and acts of obedience that flow from true faith. The conjunction "and" (G2532 _kaí_) highlights the inseparable unity of belief and practice; true spiritual stability involves both correct understanding of God's truth and consistent application of that truth in daily life.

#### Literary Devices
The verse functions as a **benediction** or **prayer**, a common Pauline literary device used to invoke divine blessing and express pastoral care. It employs **parallelism** by linking "comfort your hearts" with "stablish you," showing two complementary aspects of God's work in the believer: internal solace and external steadfastness. Furthermore, the phrase "every good word and work" uses **hendiadys** (or a similar construction) to emphasize the comprehensive nature of Christian living, where "word" (sound doctrine) and "work" (righteous action) are two facets of the same integrated spiritual life, mutually reinforcing each other. The inclusion of "every" (G3956 _pâs_) underscores the totality and comprehensiveness of this desired establishment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This prayer for comfort and establishment highlights God's active involvement in the lives of His people, not just for their salvation but for their ongoing sanctification and perseverance. It underscores the divine initiative in sustaining believers through trials and equipping them for faithful living. The emphasis on "good word and work" speaks to the holistic nature of Christian discipleship, where orthodoxy (right belief) must always lead to orthopraxy (right practice). This divine comfort and establishment are essential for believers to resist deception, endure persecution, and live out their calling effectively until the Lord's return.

* [Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "The Peace of God")
* [Colossians 1:10](/colossians/1-10 "Walking Worthy")
* [1 Peter 5:10](/1_peter/5-10 "God Will Restore, Confirm, Strengthen, and Establish You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often marked by uncertainty, anxiety, and conflicting messages, the prayer of 2 Thessalonians 2:17 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. We, too, need God's divine comfort to soothe our troubled hearts, whether from personal struggles, global crises, or spiritual assaults. This comfort is not a fleeting emotion but a deep, abiding assurance rooted in God's unchanging love and faithfulness. Concurrently, we desperately need God's power to "stablish" us, to make us firm and unshakeable in our faith. This establishment ensures that we are not tossed about by every wind of doctrine or discouraged by life's difficulties. It grounds us in "every good word," meaning the unchanging truth of God's Word, and empowers us for "every good work," enabling us to live out our faith authentically and effectively in a way that honors Him. We are called to actively seek this comfort and stability through prayer, diligent study of Scripture, and consistent fellowship, allowing God to strengthen us for His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific anxieties or uncertainties are currently unsettling your heart, and how can you intentionally invite God's comfort into those areas?**
* **In what areas of your life—belief or practice—do you feel unstable or easily swayed, and how can you pray for God to "stablish" you more firmly?**
* **How does your daily life reflect a balance between being grounded in "good word" (sound doctrine) and actively engaged in "good work" (righteous living)?**
* **How can you pray this verse not only for yourself but also for fellow believers, especially those facing significant challenges or spiritual confusion?**

### FAQ

**What is the difference between "comfort" and "stablish" in this verse?**

Answer: While related, "comfort" (Greek, _parakaléō_) and "stablish" (Greek, _stērízō_) describe distinct yet complementary aspects of God's work in the believer. "Comfort" refers primarily to the internal solace, encouragement, and strengthening of the heart and mind, addressing emotional and psychological distress. It's about God drawing near to console and empower. "Stablish," on the other hand, speaks to the external and foundational aspect of making someone firm, steadfast, and unshakeable. It's about grounding them securely in their faith and conduct, preventing them from wavering or being led astray. Thus, God first comforts the inner person, then establishes them outwardly in their walk and witness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prayer for comfort and establishment in [2 Thessalonians 2:17](/2_thessalonians/2-17 "2 Thessalonians 2:17 - Comfort and Establishment") finds its ultimate fulfillment and empowerment in Jesus Christ. He is the very source of the comfort Paul prays for, as He is the "God of all comfort" ([2 Corinthians 1:3](/2_corinthians/1-3 "2 Corinthians 1:3 - God of All Comfort")) who ministers to His people through the Holy Spirit, the Comforter ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Comforter")). Furthermore, believers are "stablished" or built up *in Him*, as Christ Himself is the cornerstone and foundation of our faith ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone"); [1 Corinthians 3:11](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - No Other Foundation")). He is the embodiment of "every good word," being the living Word of God ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")), the truth revealed, and the sum of all sound doctrine. His life was the perfect "good work," fulfilling all righteousness and providing the ultimate example for believers to follow ([1 Peter 2:21](/1_peter/2-21 "1 Peter 2:21 - Christ Our Example")). Through His finished work on the cross and His resurrection, Christ enables believers to receive divine comfort and empowers them by His Spirit to live lives that are both doctrinally sound and practically righteous, making Him the indispensable center of all spiritual stability and growth.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

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.