What does 2 Thessalonians 2:17 mean?

Paul continues his benediction and prayer in this verse. He asks the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father to comfort his readers' hearts. They had been confused about the coming day of the Lord, and they were the subjects of intense persecution. Their trials were abundant. All of these situations might have caused alarm, so they needed God's strength to stabilize them. Possessing God's strength and comfort would enable the Thessalonians to live out their faith in words and deeds that honor Him.

Christians have the power to confront trouble with bold confidence in God and to encourage one another by speaking helpful words and performing kind and loving deeds. In Ephesians Paul exhorted his readers to put aside unwholesome speech and employ only words that build up one another (Ephesians 4:29). Also, he urged the Ephesians to walk in love, having Christ as their example (Ephesians 5:2). Deriving our strength and encouragement from God, we can talk and walk in a way that pleases him.