From 2 Thessalonians 1-3
Paul seeks prayer for his gospel ministry. He wants to see the gospel widely spread and he knows it will be opposed. The Thessalonian church has lazy people bludging off others among them. He gives instructions on how to deal with them. Paul encourages his audience not to grow weary in doing good.
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
In the previous chapter Paul has been telling his audience about the current delusion people are under and what will happen in the end times. Conscious of these facts Paul encourages his audience to give thanks. He begins today’s passage with a request.
3 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. (2 Thes 3.1-5)
‘Pray for us’, ‘word of the Lord’, ‘speed ahead’. Paul is involved in gospel ministry. The present society filled with darkness and delusion. They will be at risk, opposed and the ministry is difficult.
Pray for those in gospel ministry that their message will spread rapidly and be honoured with due respect.
‘The Lord is Faithful’. Paul is also mindful of their own situation as well as his own. He knows this world is influenced by the ‘evil one’. Despite this he is confident the Lord is faithful to his promises and will guard them by making sure their walk and their hearts are going in godly directions.
6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command:
If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. (2 Thes 3.6-12)
‘Walking in idleness’. Paul’s instructions are set in the context where their society does not have any kind of welfare and the church supported the poor and needy in their community. Paul is probably concerned about lazy people in the church community (‘brother’) who do not work and rely on the church to support them.
Keep away from brothers who bludge off the church community.
‘We worked day and night’. Paul sets himself and his team up as a positive example of what it means to work. Even though sharing the gospel with them he was entitled to their support. He worked so they he would not become a burden to them (1 Cor 9.4). If Paul was willing to work, them so should others.
13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. (2 Thes 3.13-15)
‘Do not grow weary in doing good’. Paul has instructed them to avoid the lazy.
Continue in doing good. Do not to grow weary.
This is a much repeated instruction by Paul (Rom 2.10; 12.9-21; 1 Cor 10.24; 2 Cor 5.10; Gal 6.9-10; Eph 6.8; Col 1.10; 1 Thes 5.15; 1 Tim 6.18; Tit 3.8,14).
‘Does not obey’, ‘Having nothing to do with them’. Paul is keen to see his instructions followed. Obedience is a fellowship issue (cf. 1 Cor 5.11; Gal 2.12-13) and could affect the wider group.
The disobedient are punished and correction when they are avoided by the church community. Paul knows they cannot force obedience of others. What they can do is modify their own behaviour around them in the hope they will shame them into repentance.
Words for Believers
For churches practicing discipline, one major problem encountered in applying this teaching is how to go about it. Its a given we should take into account the spiritual health or well-being of the congregation. But in a society where people can just jump ship into another church and where scripture is silent or a bit grey on a particular matter. We need to pray and consider carefully.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2016. All Rights Reserved.
