As part of a bridge between his instructions (2:1-12) and exhortations (3:1-15), Paul added this prayer for the Thessalonians. He petitioned God for their encouragement and strength (cf. 1 Thess. 3:2, 13; 2 Thess. 3:3).
"Addressing his prayer to the first two persons of the Trinity, Paul names the Son before the Father (contra 1 Thess 3:11), probably in line with the Son's worthiness of equal honor with the Father and his special prominence in the chapter's emphasis on future salvation and glory."63
God's grace is the basis for eternal encouragement in the face of temporary distress. Our hope is beneficial because it motivates us to live in the light of our victorious Savior's return.
"The phrase good hope' was used by non-Christian writers to refer to life after death."64
The Thessalonians needed comforting encouragement in view of their recent anxiety that false teaching had produced. They also needed God's grace to enable them to stand firm and do everything as unto the Lord (cf. 3:7-13). Too, they needed it as they continued proclaiming the gospel.
