Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, (17) comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

3:1  Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, (2) and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.

(3) But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.  (4) Ands we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. 

 (5) Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

The second letter to the Thessalonians was written by the Apostle Paul. The first part of Chapter 2 – we start with the last verses of chapter 2 –   addresses the principle of evil in the world and its final overthrow at the second coming of Christ.   Paul deals with the doubts of the Thessalonians regarding the worries of immanent end times.

He  tells his readers that he is confident that God will strengthen them in the face of persecution and temptation – God gives us eternal encouragement as shown by the incarnation, death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Paul deals here with the work of God in the world and gives thanks to God for the salvation of the Lord.  His point is:  salvation is from God and God’s choice is eternal.  Further,  “If you have chosen God you know it is because He first chose you.”

In the verses from Chapter 3, Paul begins by asking prayer for himself and that he be identified with his work for God.  It was Paul’s main interest and concern in life that the word of God should run “swiftly” and we feel his sense of urgency here to spread the word of the reconciling grace of God.  He asks to be delivered from wicked and unreasonable men – there is a senseless opposition to the gospel by men who have not faith;  the voice of truth is only recognized by those who are of truth.

All men have not faith but the Lord is faithful.  Paul expresses confidence in Christians who have believed.  They will be protected and the weakness of sinful human nature will be counter attacked by the presence of Christ in them.   God has given them/us hope, not just for present trouble but for future uncertainty.