II Thessalonians 3, Work While Waiting

Paul has elaborated on the "Second Coming" of the Messiah-Savior.  Now he clarifies the type of lives we should live as we await the return of the Messiah.

2 Thessalonians 3: 1-5, Pray for us, deliver us from evil

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

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3 Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord will [ae]spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it was also with you; 2 and that we will be rescued from troublesome and evil people; for not all have the faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, [af]and He will strengthen and protect you [ag]from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing, and will do, what we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the perseverance of Christ.

6 Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you [ah]keep away from every brother or sister who [ai]leads a [aj]disorderly life and not one in accordance with the tradition which [ak]you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to [al]follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined way among you, 8 nor did we eat [am]anyone’s bread [an]without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; 9 not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a role model for you, so that you would [ao]follow our example. 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 12 Now we command and exhort such persons in the Lord Jesus Christ to work [ap]peacefully and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary of doing good.

14 If anyone does not obey our [aq]instruction [ar]in this letter, take special note of that person so as not to associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15 And yet do not regard that person as an enemy, but [as]admonish that one as a brother or sister.

16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every [at]circumstance. The Lord be with you all!

17 [au]I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Paul asks for continued prayer to aid the continued growth of the church.  He is aware that this return of Jesus may still be some distance away and there is much work to do.

2 Thessalonians 3: 6-9, We were a model for you

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.

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.

Paul set a standard of hard work while among the Thessalonians and he wants them to emulate that. Idleness is not a kingdom ethic.

2 Thessalonians 3: 10-12, Work; do not be idle

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.

This is a famous passage, later quoted by many people, including both the Jamestown explorer, John Smith, and Vladimir Lenin.  Paul's message is a simple one: in a community we all must be involved. Everyone has a part.  Idleness is not a kingdom ethic; in fact, work is a natural part of the kingdom! Adam and Eve were given work to do in perfect Eden, long before the Fall. (See Genesis 2:15.) God's plan involves good (healthy) work for all of us.

2 Thessalonians 3: 13-15, Do what is right & insist on this in the Church

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. 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.

The confrontation described here occurs only within the church. It is to be done with love and concern.

2 Thessalonians 3: 16-18, Paul, servant of the Lord of Peace

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Paul ends the letter as he began it, with an emphasis on grace and peace.