2. Prayer for the Thessalonians 3:3-5

3:3 Paul was confident that God would provide strength and protection for the Thessalonians in view of His promises to provide for His own.

3:4 He was also confident that his readers, strengthened by the Lord, would continue to follow apostolic instruction as they had in the past. Paul had confidence in these Christians. Note the chiastic structure of Paul's thought in verses 1-4.

3:5 He prayed that God would give these brothers and sisters a greater appreciation of God's love for them and of Christ's steadfastness in the midst of His earthly afflictions.⁶⁵He wanted this so their own love and patient endurance might increase (cf. 1 Chron. 29:18; 2 Chron. 12:14).

"Consistent Christian behavior can result only from genuine inward commitment."⁶⁶