2 Thessalonians 2:17
Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
Study Note
Study Note
The pastoral benediction 'comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work' closes 2 Thessalonians 2's eschatological instruction with a prayer that the comfort of God's love (2:16) would produce both inward consolation and outward ethical stability. The twin goals — 'every good word and work' — integrate verbal witness and practical action as the inseparable expression of established Christian life, resisting any division between confessional speech and ethical conduct. The verb 'stablish' (stērixai) is used elsewhere in Paul for strengthening believers in faith (Romans 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 3:2) and reflects the concern of 2 Thessalonians throughout: against the destabilizing effect of eschatological misinformation that has disturbed the congregation (2:2). The verse has been incorporated into Christian benedictory tradition as a model of pastoral closure that combines affective consolation with practical exhortation.
Other Translations
comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.
Give you comfort and strength in every good work and word.
Cross References
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that …
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto …
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high …
I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that …
For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like …
Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the …
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all …