2 Thessalonians 3:16–18 “Peace and Grace”

2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• It Is Well – Kristene DiMarco
• Hope Darst – Peace Be Still
• Still – Hillsong Worship

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• PEACE for Kids! (Fruit of the Spirit) – 5 Minute Family Devotional | Kids Bible Story – Lesson for Kids
• Help Me Jesus | True North VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Power Shuffle | True North VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• My Hope Is In the Lord | True North VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

Finally, the Apostle delivers a blessing to the believers in Thessalonica. The word “peace,” or “shalom,” was a common Jewish greeting, but in Thessalonica—a Roman colony—it carried a far deeper meaning. At that time, the Roman Empire promoted the ideology of the “peace of Rome” (Pax Romana) as a justification for its wars of conquest. According to this claim, one could only enjoy peace by submitting it to the Roman banner. Indeed, becoming a Roman colony meant that the threat of war was removed. Yet, the absence of war did not mean the fullness of peace. Ordinary citizens often had to live with greater anxiety in their daily lives under Roman rule.

In this context, the prayer— “May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way” (v.16)—serves as a subtle critique of Rome’s political propaganda. It clearly implies that the peace of Jesus Christ far surpasses the peace Rome claims to provide. True peace does not come from the Roman emperor but from our Lord Jesus Christ. The peace the Lord gives can be experienced “at all times” and “in every way.”

As in his other letters, the Apostle closes with a greeting written in his own hand (v.17). As he himself notes, this served as “a distinguishing mark” of his letters. Finally, he ends with a customary Greco-Roman farewell (“grace”) in verse 18. Yet here, this grace is not generic—it comes from “our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Meditation:

What is the dominant ideology of our time? Perhaps the slogan used by President Clinton in his election campaign (“It’s the economy, stupid”) best captures the spirit of our age. Just as the Roman Empire promoted peace (the absence of war) as humanity’s greatest need, today our world proclaims that money—the matter of making a living—is humanity’s most urgent issue. In Korea, there is even the term “meok-sa-nism” (from meok-go sa-neun, “eating and living”), which means that the most important thing is simply to survive.

In truth, the peace that Rome advertised and the economy that neoliberalism promotes share the same basic assumption: that what is most important for human beings is the material condition that allows them to preserve human dignity. From this perspective, war and poverty are indeed the greatest threats to humanity. Yet the absence of war and having plenty to eat do not in themselves secure human dignity. Humanity cannot live on bread alone (Matt. 4:4). The peace proclaimed by Rome and the prosperity promised by neoliberalism are, in the end, deeply deceptive because they fail to diagnose the true problem of human existence.

The real issue is not the peace offered by Rome or the economy promised by neoliberalism. The real issue is humanity’s unbelief—leaving God behind and trying to live as one’s own god. This leads to the destruction of human nature itself and results in a living hell on earth. This is why, in almost every letter, the Apostle Paul prays, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Everything the Jews longed for when they spoke of “peace,” and everything the Greeks and Romans hoped for when they spoke of “grace,” is fulfilled when we are restored as children of God in Jesus Christ.

Prayer:

Lord of truth, keep us from being deceived by the propaganda of the world. Lord of peace, do not let us be enticed by the peace the world promises. Lord, who lived with no place to lay Your head, guard us from being captured by materialism. Teach us to find true peace in You and to learn the secret of contentment, so that we may overcome the world. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: True peace and grace do not come from governments, money, or material success. They come only from Jesus Christ, who gives us lasting peace in every situation and teaches us to be content in Him.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Who do you think gives us real peace—Jesus or the world? Why?
  • Can having lots of toys, money, or food always make people truly happy? Why or why not?
  • Jesus gives us peace in every situation. Can you think of a time when you felt peace because of Him, even if things were hard?
    
• Youth
  • The world says money and success are the most important things. Why do you think Paul points us instead to “grace and peace in Christ”?
  • What do you think it means to “learn the secret of being content” in Christ (Phil. 4:11–13)? How can this change the way we live?
  • Where are you most tempted to look for peace or security apart from God (friends, grades, money, future plans)? How can you shift your trust back to Christ?