C. Prayer Request (3:1-4)

Paul also needs prayer. The prayer is that the Gospel may be spread rapidly and effectively and that the missionaries would not be hindered in their mission.

Opposition comes from wicked and evil men (v.2), either a general reference to opposition to the Gospel (see Bruce, 194; Best, 325) or the opposition noted in 1Th 2:13-16 (Marshall, 214). They are wicked because they do not have faith (see 2:12).

Not everyone has faith, but the Lord is faithful (v.3, see 1Th 5:24). Paul is confident that the Lord would strengthen and protect [them] from the evil one. “Evil one” may also be translated “wickedness,” but the context, in which Satan and eschatological conflict figure so prominently, makes evil one the preferred translation (see Best, 328).

Paul has confidence that the Thessalonians will obey his past instructions and the exhortations he gives in this letter. But his confidence is based, not on their ability to obey, but on God’s ability to strengthen and preserve them (vv.3-4).