2Th 3:3 | RWP | e4.org | But the Lord is faithful ( πιστος δε εστιν ο κυριος ). But faithful is the Lord (correct rendition), with a play (paronomasia) on πιστις by πιστος as in we have a word-play on απιστεω and απιστια . The Lord can be counted on, however perverse men may be. From the evil one ( απο του πονηρου ). Apparently a reminiscence of the Lord's Prayer in ρυσα ημας απο του πονηρου . But here as there it is not certain whether του πονηρου is neuter (evil) like to πονηρον in or masculine (the evil one). But we have ο πονηρος (the evil one) in and του πονηρου is clearly masculine in . If masculine here, as is probable, is it "the Evil One" (Ellicott) or merely the evil man like those mentioned in verse ? Perhaps Paul has in mind the representative of Satan, the man of sin, pictured in , by the phrase here without trying to be too definite.

‏ 2 Thessalonians 3:3

But the Lord is faithful ( πιστος δε εστιν ο κυριος ).

But faithful is the Lord (correct rendition), with a play (paronomasia) on πιστις by πιστος as in Ro 3:3 we have a word-play on απιστεω and απιστια. The Lord can be counted on, however perverse men may be.

From the evil one ( απο του πονηρου ). Apparently a reminiscence of the Lord's Prayer in Mt 6:13 ρυσα ημας απο του πονηρου. But here as there it is not certain whether του πονηρου is neuter (evil) like to πονηρον in Ro 12:9 or masculine (the evil one). But we have ο πονηρος (the evil one) in 1Jo 5:18 and του πονηρου is clearly masculine in Eph 6:16. If masculine here, as is probable, is it "the Evil One" (Ellicott) or merely the evil man like those mentioned in verse 2? Perhaps Paul has in mind the representative of Satan, the man of sin, pictured in 2:1-12, by the phrase here without trying to be too definite.