2 Thessalonians 2:17

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

2 Thessalonians 2:17 in Other Translations

KJV
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
ESV
17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
NLT
17 comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
MSG
17 put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.
CSB
17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.

2 Thessalonians 2:17 Meaning and Commentary

2 Thessalonians 2:17

Comfort your hearts
That is, apply the comfort given, and cause it to be received, which unbelief is apt to refuse; and increase it, by shedding abroad the love of Christ, and of the Father; by the discoveries of pardoning grace; by the application of Gospel promises; by the word and ordinances, which are breasts of consolation; and by indulging with the gracious presence, and comfortable communion of Father, Son, and Spirit. The Arabic version reads, "comfort your hearts by his grace", joining the last clause of the preceding verse to this. This petition stands opposed to a being troubled and distressed about the sudden coming of Christ, as the following one does to a being shaken in mind on that account, ( 2 Thessalonians 2:2 ) .

And stablish you in every good word and work;
that is, in every good word of God, or truth of the Gospel, which contains good tidings of good things, so as not to waver about them, or stagger in them, or to depart from them; in practice of every duty, so as to be steadfast, and immoveable, and always abounding therein; good words and good works, principles and practices, should go together, and the saints stand in need of stability in both. For though, as to their state and condition, they are established in the love of God, in the covenant of grace, in the arms of Christ, and in him the foundation, so as they can never be removed; yet they are often very unstable, not only in their frames, and in the exercise of grace, but in their attachment and adherence to the Gospel and interest of Christ, and in the discharge of duty.

2 Thessalonians 2:17 In-Context

15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Cross References 2

  • 1. 1 Thessalonians 3:2
  • 2. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
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