WORK HARD AND TAKE NOTE
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Opening Prayer
Thank you, Father, that you not only hear my prayers but you welcome every word I bring to you, spoken and unspoken.
Read 2 THESSALONIANS 3:6–18
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Warning Against Idleness
6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 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. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
14 Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.
Final Greetings
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Reflect
Think about a time when your church community was disrupted by gossip. How did the church leaders overcome it?Paul’s warning against idle troublemakers (vv. 6–10) is stern. They are not following his teaching on work and community life. He implies they have no excuse because he and his co-workers provided them with the model of how Christians should work and live (vv. 7–9). Paul even gives them a specific rule (v. 10). He is not addressing those who are unable to work, but those who are able and choose not to, expecting others to support them.
In verses 11–15, Paul says that the idle have become busybodies, disrupting the church’s life by spreading gossip. Look at the balance he strikes in dealing with them (vv. 14, 15). The Thessalonians must avoid associating with these idle busybodies, causing them to feel ashamed (v. 14). At the same time, they must not treat them as enemies. Still, they should warn them with a view to the idle members being back in fellowship.
Paul concludes his second letter to the Thessalonians (vv. 16–18) with a final prayer that they may know the peace of the Lord ‘at all times and in every way’ (v. 16). Despite their trials and opposition, the Lord Jesus will be victorious. Those who trust God will find peace, rest, and grace.
Apply
Think of ways that you can encourage those who are able but reluctant to participate in the ministry and service of the church.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times when I have participated in gossip. Please help me be a better example of a Christ-follower in everything I do.
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