Tag: 2nd Thessalonians 3
Believers are workers!
Scripture reading for September 22nd: 2nd Thessalonians 3
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 2nd Thessalonians 3:10-15 “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”
The teaching of Christ’s sudden and imminent return for those who believe caused some in the fellowship at Thessolonica to come to the conclusion that they should quit their jobs and live off what others had accumulated. This was a cause of strife in the church because the idle believers became gossips and spread discord. Paul wanted the church to know how to handle these people and call them back to proper doctrine. “Settle down and earn the bread they eat” was simple sound doctrine! Those that would not obey were to be shunned until they repented.
Observations for over-comers: Sound doctrine makes for righteous and harmonious living. Those who are not living in sound doctrine and claim to be believers must be lovingly confronted and disciplined if not repentant. “He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment. . . .Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.” (Proverbs 12:11,23)
Don’t become a busy-body!
Scripture reading for September 23rd: 2nd Thessalonians 3
As a result of a false view of Christ’s return, some in the church had quit their jobs to wait for His arrival. As a result of idleness, they became a burden on others in the church and also began to gossip and cause division and strife. Paul’s pastoral heart gave instruction to avert trouble.
“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. . . . . For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:6-10) Paul was emphatic and used his own life among them as an example. He had demonstrated the need to work and gave them a command to not associate with those who were idle.
“We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:11-12) Paul knew human nature and directed those in error to get back to work. If they refused, Paul instructed the church to take note of them and not associate with them. They were not to regard them as enemies, but warn them as brothers. This action was for their ultimate salvation and restoration to fellowship if they repented.