2 Thessalonians 3:1
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
Paul's appeal is addressed to the brethren in Thessalonica to pray for him and his fellow workers. The prayer he asks is that the word of the Lord may move freely and advance and be glorified and honored, just as it already had been among the Thessalonians themselves. Joined to that prayer is deliverance from unreasonable and wicked men, since not all people have faith.
The Lord is faithful to establish believers and keep them from evil, and to direct their hearts into the love of God and into patient waiting for Christ. The prayer for the free course of the word belongs with obedience to apostolic command, including withdrawing from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition received from Paul. Paul set the example by not behaving disorderly, by eating no one's bread without payment, and by working with labor night and day so as not to burden anyone. He did this not because he lacked the right to support but to make himself a pattern to follow, commanding that if anyone would not work neither should he eat.
Those who walk disorderly, doing no work but acting as busybodies, are commanded and urged in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and eat their own bread. The faithful brethren are charged not to grow weary in well doing. It was the power of the word, rather than force or human effort, that brought down the pope's influence as Luther preached and wrote across Germany. The gospel also brought misguided people back to the way of truth.
At Worms, facing those seeking to condemn him, Luther applied the verse's priority by asking for prayer not for his own safety but for the word of God.