2 Thessalonians 3:1-10

1: Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; 
2: and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.
3: But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 
4: We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.
5: May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.

6: Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. 
7: For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, 
8: nor did we eat anyone’s bread 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 model for you, so that you would 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.

***

Paul began his closing remarks and final exhortation. He asked for prayer—that the Word of the Lord spread rapidly (unhindered) and be glorified (received by unbelievers) like it did with them, and for their protection from evil men. He assured them that the Lord would strengthen them and protect them from the evil one and he expressed his confidence in them to continue to follow their instructions. He prayed that the Lord would direct their hearts into His love and Christ’s steadfastness.

Then, Paul made a command—a strict instruction concerning the “unruly” which he briefly addressed in his first letter (1 Thessalonians 5:14). These ones who would not work were making themselves a burden on others. Paul clearly stated that he, and those with him, had set an example for them while they were there—working night and day so as not to burden them with their needs. Even though they had the right to receive support from the Thessalonians they didn’t. Instead, they set an example of working to take care of their own needs.

Paul said for the Thessalonians to stay away from these ones, brothers in Christ, who would not work to supply their own needs. Not to excommunicate them as he told the Corinthians concerning the one involved in sexual sin (1 Corinthians 5), but to withdraw fellowship from them. Paul reminded them of what he said while he was there, that if anyone wasn’t willing to work then neither would he eat.

Now that the matter of the Lord’s coming was cleared up, that it wasn’t happening right then, there was no excuse for anyone not to work to take care of themselves. Even if the Lord’s return was imminent that is still no excuse not to work. For one who is able to take care of himself yet chooses not to, but makes himself a burden on others, is committing a highly selfish act that is not in line with the love of God. The example Paul had set was the opposite—to work for his needs so he could preach the gospel to them free of charge.


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