Slackers And Busybodies in The Church
May 11, 2021
Commentary
The word command means a military order. Some of the Christian soldiers in the church at Thessalonica were breaking rank and disobeying orders, and Paul had to admonish them. We find disorderly conduct (v. 6) and busybodies (v. 11) in the Thessalonian Church and Paul deals with this problem forcefully.
The Jews honored honest labor and required all their rabbis to have a trade. But the Greeks despised manual labor and their influence led many believers to be lazy. The faithful Christians were discouraged by the conduct of those who refused to work (vv. 6-9). “If they don’t have to work, why should we,” was their argument. The missionaries had taught the Thessalonians to be industrious. Paul made it plain that no Christian who is able but unwilling to work should be maintained by others. Even though Paul had the right to expect financial support he deliberately gave up this right so that he might be an example to the young believers. In fact he worked long and hard so as not to be a financial burden to any of them.
Moving from the example of working for a living Paul focused on another problem. Many were busybodies instead of being busy (vv 10-12). Instead of tending to their own business of earning a living they were meddling in the business of others. As a matter of Church discipline the faithful were not to have social contact with an idle person till he repented, but this did not mean to break off all contact (vv. 13-15). However Paul urged them to treat this person as a brother and not an enemy. Church discipline should always be to produce repentance and not division. Paul signs off by asking the Lord to bless them, fill them with peace and for His grace to be with them (vv. 16-18).
Application
It has been my desire to be a good example in the area of work ethic and pass this on to my children. Much of my life has been ministry related but I’m willing to get my hands dirty at hard labor also.
2 Thessalonians 3:6– 18 (NET)
6 But we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition they received from us. 7 For you know yourselves how you must imitate us, because we did not behave without discipline among you, 8 and we did not eat anyone’s food without paying. Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked night and day in order not to burden any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.” 11 For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others. 12 Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat. 13 But you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing what is right. 14 But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, so that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all. 17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, which is how I write in every letter. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.