“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all”

Paul concludes the epistle with a prayer, a greeting, and a blessing (16-18). This verse gives his fourth and final prayer for the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; 2:16-17; 3:5).

Now may the Lord of peace Himself

God is the source of peace. The best peace is the peace that comes from the Lord. God is the God of peace (Romans 15:33; 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:11). Paul uses this title for God because the church is vulnerable to conflict caused by people leeching off each other. The Thessalonian church needed the Author of peace to sustain them through this turbulent time. They will never have peace among themselves without Him.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

give you peace

“Peace” here refers to unity in the church at Thessalonica. Peace comes from the God of peace. At the heart of our relationship with each other is a God of peace. This epistle begins and ends with “peace.”

always

Paul prays that they will have peace all of the time, not just most of the time. The fact that some believers cause problems should not change the local church’s heart for peace.

in every way.

The word “way” indicates a turning, a manner. God wants to give us peace in such a fashion that it affects our customary way of life. Paul prays that they might have peace by all means. Whatever it takes to get peace in the church, we should do it.

The Lord be with you all

Paul does not infer that there are times the Lord is not with us. It is a prayer expressing his desire that the Thessalonians would embrace companionship with the Lord in the whole matter before them. It takes the Lord’s presence to sustain peace within the local church (Matthew 28:20).

Principle:

The Lord will enable your church to have peace within.

Application:

If God does not answer prayer, all exhortation would be futile. If God does not restrain unruly people, then the church will head for turbulent times.

God promises His presence to help us have peace in the local church. Are you drawing on that peace? Is your local church appropriating that peace? God specializes in peace. That is why He calls Himself “the God of peace.” The God of peace wants His church to be a church of peace.