“We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command.” Confidence is located “in the Lord,” not in naïve optimism about human nature. Because the Lord is faithful (3:3), Paul expects present and future obedience. Commands are coming (3:6-15); assurance precedes them.
“Do and will do” covers continuity. Some already obey; Paul anticipates they will keep obeying—including hard steps like withdrawing from the disorderly. Pastoral confidence can be a means of grace: people often rise to trust placed wisely in the Lord concerning them.
The prayer: “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and into the perseverance of Christ.” Direction of the heart is God’s work. The destinations are God’s love (to live in and from it) and Christ’s perseverance/steadfastness (to endure as He endured). Love and endurance answer both relational strain and persecution fatigue.
Pastorally, combine confidence and prayer. Tell people you trust the Lord for their obedience; then ask the Lord to steer their hearts into love and Christlike perseverance. Do not command without interceding, or intercede without expecting obedience.
Practice: thank God for one area where your church already obeys; pray 3:5 over someone tempted to quit; and receive apostolic-style commands as invitations the faithful Lord will help you keep.
Confidence “in the Lord concerning you” is a pastoral skill. It refuses flattery (“you’re fine without change”) and refuses contempt (“you’ll never obey”). It says: because Jesus is faithful, I expect you to do what He commands through us. That expectation can summon courage.
“God’s love” as a directed destination means the heart can wander into fear, resentment, or cold duty. The Lord must steer us back into love—God’s love for us and love that reflects Him. Without that direction, perseverance becomes grim stoicism rather than Christlike endurance.
Pray 3:5 before difficult obedience conversations. Ask the Lord to direct hearts into love and Christ’s perseverance so commands land on people being inwardly led, not merely outwardly pressured.