2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18. Let’s go!
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 (NIV)
6 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.
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,
8 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.
9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.
10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”
11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies.
12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.
13 And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed.
15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
On verses 6-15: Here Paul addresses another problem in the church at Thessalonica: idleness, or laziness. Apparently, some Christians in the Thessalonian church were becoming known for freeloading off of others in the church. They were taking advantage of the kindness and generosity of other Christians, frequently getting other Christians to pay for their meals and other material wants/needs instead of getting a job and paying for things themselves.
Paul commands the idle ones to get a job and earn the bread they eat (v12). He tells his church to keep away from those who are idle (v6, 14) — that is, don’t be influenced by them too much and don’t let them take advantage of you. He also tells them never to tire of doing what is right (v13).
What can we learn from all this?
1. Be a hard worker. Don’t be lazy and don’t live with a sense of entitlement. Don’t let others pay for your meal, your bubble tea, or your ticket, when you could easily pay for it yourself. Be much quicker to give than to receive. Remember, salvation from God is free, but respect from people is earned.
No one exemplified this hard work ethic more than Paul and his team. Paul and his team were entitled to receive financial support from their church in Thessalonica; it was their God-given right (v9). Even so, they chose to work night and day to support themselves while ministering to the church in Thessalonica. Paul and his team went above and beyond (v7-10) so as to set an example of working hard.
2. If someone likes to take advantage of your kindness and generosity, if it has gotten to the point where they are habitually taking advantage of you, it is okay and necessary to draw the line, set boundaries, and say no.
As Paul says in verse 14, “take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
On verse 16: An awesome blessing from Paul, which I pray for you today too: may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.
2 Thessalonians 3:17 (NIV)
17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.
On verse 17: To help the Thessalonians be sure that this was not a counterfeit or forged letter, Paul writes a greeting in his own hand so that the Thessalonians can be confident that it is actually him sending this letter.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are a God of grace and yet also the hardest worker in the room. Help me to be the same: a person who receives and experiences Your grace, but who also works hard and doesn’t take advantage of others’ kindness. In Jesus’ name, AMEN
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