As Paul writes to the Thessalonian church, he has been focusing on their internal issues. The things going on in Thessalonica. These “other matters”, mentioned here, are the workings of Paul and the apostles around the globe.
Paul is asking for prayer. That these endeavors would be successful. And it is interesting the two qualifiers for that success – the word spreads rapidly and is “honored”.
Bearing witness to The Kingdom of God is not just about getting the message out there rapidly. It is not just about the gospel being in the conversation. It is about the message of the Lord being honored.
Honor is a key component of culture. A culture is defined by what the participants within an organization honor and what they shame. What gets honored gets celebrated. And what gets celebrated gets repeated.
This is the way the Kingdom of God spreads. It blankets the existing culture and covers it with truth. It is a subtle revolution. A coup. A taking over.
The aim of the Kingdom of God is to become the thing that is honored in our cultures. First, in our own lives. Then our families, churches, and communities. And through our families and communities to the very ends of the earth.
“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.”
– 2 Thessalonians 3:1