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2 Thessalonians 3:3

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

But {G1161} the Lord {G2962} is {G2076} faithful {G4103}, who {G3739} shall stablish {G4741} you {G5209}, and {G2532} keep {G5442} you from {G575} evil {G4190}.

But the Lord is worthy of trust; he will make you firm and guard you from the Evil One.

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and guard you from the evil one.

Commentary

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (KJV): "But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep [you] from evil."

This verse offers a powerful assurance of God's character and His commitment to believers amidst challenges and uncertainty.

Context

Paul is concluding his second letter to the Thessalonians. The church faced various issues, including persecution, false teachings about the timing of Christ's return, and some members becoming idle while waiting for the Lord. In chapter 3, Paul asks for prayer (2 Thessalonians 3:1) and then pivots to express his confidence in God's steadfast nature, which forms the basis for the promise in verse 3. This declaration of God's faithfulness follows warnings about potential opposition and challenges, emphasizing divine security.

Key Themes

  • God's Faithfulness: The verse begins by highlighting God's inherent reliability and trustworthiness. This is a foundational truth throughout Scripture.
  • Divine Establishment (Stablish): God promises to "stablish" believers. This means to strengthen, confirm, and make firm in their faith and walk, particularly in the face of opposition or doubt.
  • Protection from Evil: The Lord also promises to "keep you from evil." This protection can refer to being guarded from moral corruption, harmful influences, or specifically from the power and schemes of "the evil one," Satan.

Linguistic Insights

The word translated "stablish" (Greek: stērizō) means to set fast, to make stable, to strengthen, or to confirm. It implies God providing the inner stability and resilience needed to stand firm. The phrase "keep you from evil" (Greek: tēreō apo tou ponērou) can be understood as "guard you from evil" or "guard you from the evil one," depending on the gender of the Greek word ponērou. Given the context of spiritual warfare and opposition often mentioned by Paul, interpreting it as protection from the devil's influence and attacks is a strong possibility, echoing Jesus' prayer for His disciples in John 17:15.

Reflection

This verse serves as a powerful anchor for believers. When facing trials, doubts, or temptations, we can rest in the absolute certainty of God's faithfulness. He is committed not only to saving us but also to strengthening us and guarding us against the forces of evil. It reminds us that our security and ability to persevere do not depend on our own strength but on the reliable character and power of God. We can trust that He will complete the work He began in us and protect us as we walk in obedience.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Timothy 4:18 (64 votes)

    And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve [me] unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (51 votes)

    Faithful [is] he that calleth you, who also will do [it].

  • 1 Corinthians 10:13 (44 votes)

    There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].

  • Psalms 121:7 (38 votes)

    The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:9 (37 votes)

    God [is] faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

  • John 17:15 (32 votes)

    I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

  • Jude 1:24 (26 votes)

    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,