2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

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. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 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. 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.

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.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

đź’ˇHow to do your quiet time


While it’s not stated in the letter, it appears that in light of their fallacy around the day of the Lord, some of the Thessalonians had given up working in anticipation of the Lord’s return. Paul addresses this disorderly conduct quite strongly as he closes his letter. Paul uses the word brother because these were believers who were not living in a manner befitting of being in Jesus Christ. Paul had previously issued a warning for those who were idle (1 Thess 5:14), now he commanded the church to keep away from those in the church who were being idle and not living according to the tradition Paul had taught. Paul had not only taught them but he set them an example in his own conduct. Though he had every right as an apostle to earn his living from the gospel, he chose to work and support himself. Paul wasn’t saying he didn’t accept the gift of hospitality and enjoy a meal shared by others. He earned a living so that he wouldn’t be a burden to anyone he was ministering to. Paul’s principle was that whoever chooses not to work, chooses not to eat. Charity should not be provided to those who can work but choose not to. The idea is that their hunger should motivate them to do what they ought to do. These people were not only being idle, but they were also meddling in others’ work. The saying, “idle hands are the devil’s playground” springs to mind. When we don’t engage in constructive work (not discounting appropriate rest) then we open ourselves up to further sin. Paul commanded those idle people to settle down and earn their own living quietly, but he linked it to their relationship with Jesus. Sin flares up when we are out of communion with Jesus. The solution to all sin problems begins with a return to Jesus.

Paul reminds those who are doing good not to grow weary. When those around us seem to prosper while doing wrong, we may be tempted to give up and join them. But we must never tire of doing what is right. Paul told them to separate from those who do wrong so that they might feel the shame of their sin and repent. In this specific instance, disassociation would force them to figure out how to eat without the charity of their church family. Paul reminds them that all such discipline within the church is to be done with brotherly love. The point is not to be hostile to the offender but to patiently admonish them to acknowledge their error and change their ways. Repentance and restoration should always be the goal.

Paul concludes his letter wishing them the peace of God at all times and in every way. Believers experience the peace of God when we are living in a right relationship to the will of God—when we are obedient. When we are right with God, we can experience His peace in our lives at all times, regardless of our circumstances. Paul typically dictated his letters through a scribe, possibly because he suffered from poor eyesight (Gal 4:15; 6:11). Paul wrote the final greeting in his own handwriting, in a way signing the document, so his readers would know that the words of the letter were genuinely his.

Some may hear Paul’s words with an insensitive ear when times are hard and finding work is difficult. But Paul is specifically talking to people who can work but choose not to. Every one of us can examine ourselves and know whether we are doing all we can to be productive members of our community and not idle leeches on others. Is sin finding a foothold in your life because you are not keeping busy like you ought to?


Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Jacob and Esau: Genesis 27