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Work Diligently, Live Faithfully — 2 Thess 3 Daily Word
Paul opens with a request for prayer on behalf of the Thessalonian church, then directly addresses the problem of the idle. Emphasizing his own example, he commands that those who refuse to work should not eat, and he encourages the believers not to grow weary in doing good.
[Scripture]
[1] Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, 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. [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. [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. (2 Thess 3:1-6, ESV)
[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. (2 Thess 3:7-12, ESV)
[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. [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. (2 Thess 3:13-18, ESV)
[Daily Word]
In 2 Thessalonians 3, Paul emphasizes the importance of prayer to the believers and exhorts them to live godly lives within the order God has established. He urges them not to be misled by extreme end-times beliefs, but to maintain a healthy, normal life of faith.
As Paul brings his letter to a close, he asks the Thessalonian believers to pray for his evangelistic ministry.
Prayer is an indispensable element of the life of faith and of ministry. Jesus himself declares in (Mark 9:29), “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” Prayer carries power. Therefore, Paul requests their intercession so that he might be delivered from the painful situation caused by wicked people.
Here, the “wicked people” refer to groups such as the Jews who opposed and hindered the proclamation of the gospel. Thus, while Paul asks for prayer, he also prays for those who will be praying. [3] But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. (2 Thess 3:3, ESV) And Paul is confident that the Thessalonian church will do well according to the teaching they have received. At the same time, he prays [5] May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. (2 Thess 3:5, ESV). Though he has confidence in the people, it is the Lord alone who guides their steps.
God is a God of order.
However, some members of the Thessalonian church had been misled by an extreme eschatological faith and were not living normally. They were devoting themselves entirely to prayer in anticipation of receiving the Lord. Just as being indifferent to spiritual matters is wrong, being consumed exclusively by spiritual things is also a problem. That is why Paul says in [9] It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. (2 Thess 3:9, ESV) that he offered himself as an example for them to follow. Because Paul carried out his ministry while making tents, he became a model for the believers. Paul’s choice to be self-supporting was not because he lacked the right to refrain from working (v. 9). He could have received support from the church for his ministry.
However, those who preach the gospel have a legitimate right to receive physical provision through the gospel. Jesus himself said in [10] no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. (Matt 10:10, ESV). In this light, Paul states in [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. (2 Thess 3:10, ESV). This is a pointed remark aimed at those who do no work of their own yet meddle in the affairs of others (v. 11).
Therefore, we must work quietly and earn our own bread. ‘Each person must find their own bowl of rice.'(12) Paul calls this good, and urges us not to yield to the criticism of fanatics while doing this good. (13) This is because we are not people who are moved by the opinions of others, but people who look to God and act in faith.
2 Thessalonians, the power of prayer, order in faith, work and godliness, eschatological faith
Originally published in Korean at bible2u.com
