June 17, 2014
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
2 Thessalonians 3
Jessica Voyce
Central Truth
Paul instructs the church to avoid idleness, meddling, and those embracing that lifestyle. Instead, they should answer the call to be disciplined and to labor for good.
Key Verse | 2 Thessalonians 3:7–9
For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 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. . . . to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9)
2 Thessalonians 3
Pray for Us
1 Finally, brothers, 1 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 6, 13 pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, 2 3:1 Or glorified 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. 3 3:3 Or evil 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.
Warning Against Idleness
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. 4 3:12 Greek to eat their own bread
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.
Benediction
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Dive Deeper | 2 Thessalonians 3
In this letter to the church in Thessalonica, Paul revisits a topic he discussed briefly in his previous letter (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12). He had received word that some brothers were refusing to work. They chose instead to live "unruly" and "undisciplined" lives. Some commentators think they were motivated by their belief in the imminence of Christ's return. These Christ followers made waiting on His return their full-time profession and became busybodies in the process.
As easy as it might be to criticize these idle busybodies, Christians today contend with a host of other work-related struggles. For example, sometimes we find ourselves resenting our jobs, convinced we need a more-fulfilling profession. Or, sometimes we tell ourselves our work doesn't advance the kingdom unless we work in vocational ministry for a church or non-profit. Yet, in doing so, we ignore how God can use our current job to minister to others and to foster growth in us as well.
To the other extreme, sometimes we consume ourselves in work, desiring so much to excel in our profession (perhaps even for God's glory) that we forget weightier matters of eternity and settle for more visible prizes. In doing so, we end up with mere "leftovers" of ourselves to invest in our relationships with Christ and others.
Neither perspective of work is advised in Scripture (see Colossians 3:23-24; Luke 10:38-42). In this passage of 2 Thessalonians, however, the guilty parties have gone so far as to refuse to work at all! Paul is not saying that we should be too proud to accept help or so miserly that we refuse to share (see Luke 12:33-34; Acts 4:32-35), but he does instruct the brethren to work -- and work hard -- for their provision.
These biblical principles motivate me to strive to "work heartily" in whatever He calls me to do, while eagerly awaiting Christ's return, and to lean on Him whenever I grow weary. How grateful I am that He is faithful (verse 3)!
Discussion Questions
1. Do you struggle with idleness or meddling? If so, how can you fight those temptations?
2. Alternatively, do you struggle with busyness? Is your sense of self-worth tied to your job? How does this keep you from truly laboring for "good" and relying on Christ?
3. Have you ever grown weary of doing good? Describe those circumstances and then think of ways to prevent or address your weariness.
4. Describe the differences between helping those in need and enabling idleness.