2
THESSALONIANS 3:6-12
WITHDRAW
FROM THOSE
WHO
REFUSE TO WORK
2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we
command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw
yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the
tradition which he received of us.
Why was Paul
able to command these believers to do something? As an apostle, he had authority given by Jesus
Christ to instruct and guide them. The Thessalonians submitted themselves under
his authority to instruct and admonish them according to that which he had
received from Jesus. Why would he instruct them to
“withdraw” from anyone who was disorderly and disobedient to his teachings? This would be a measure
to give the disobedient one cause for pause.
When the person showed steps of true repentance, changed behavior, they
would be joyfully restored to fellowship. Ceasing to
socialize with a straying believer is always with the aim to bring them to repentance
and a return to relationship. Disorderly or unruly behavior in this sense had the connotation
of insubordination, not respecting authority or superiors, whether that be Paul
or Jesus Himself.
2 Thessalonians 3:7 For
yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves
disorderly among you;
The
Thessalonians could follow Paul’s example because he walked in obedience to the
Lord. Paul and his companions did show
respect for God’s commands and we good examples for these young believers to
follow.
2 Thessalonians 3:8 Neither
did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail
night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9 Not because we
have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
Is Paul saying
he was a bi-vocational minister? Yes, Paul believed it was proper to pay his
own way in Thessalonica. Why? There were those among them who were lethargic and lazy, not
self-motivated to work. So, Paul desired to be a good example for them. He was
setting a standard of earning your own keep. Could he,
as an apostle, have expected them to take care of his needs? Yes, he could have; but he did not choose to invoke that
requirement upon them. If they chose to
give him support, he wanted that to be from their hearts and not obligation.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even
when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work,
neither should he eat.
Paul was
addressing those who were able but not willing to work. Of course, there were provisions for widows or those unable to
work due to injury or illness. Some of the Thessalonians
had ceased working in anticipation of the Lord’s return, but Paul makes clear
that this is not a valid reason for ceasing to provide for
yourself and your family.
He had already given instruction concerning work in his first letter:
1 Thessalonians
4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work
with your own hands, as we commanded you;
2 Thessalonians 3:11 For we
hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all,
but are busybodies.
There were
people who were not self-supporting, and in addition to that, they were in
everybody’s business. They were not only failing to be productive themselves, but were
preventing others from being productive. They were
galloping gossips and nosy neighbors.
2 Thessalonians 3:12 Now them
that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with
quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
Paul says the
Thessalonian church should demand that these brothers stop their shenanigans,
stop taking food from their neighbors, and work to earn their own provisions. “With quietness” implies that they had been stirring up trouble.
They needed to settle down and mind their own business.
QUESTIONS:
1.
What was the main purpose of
separating themselves from those who refused to work for their own support?
2.
How did Paul set a good example
for these believers?
3.
What kind of example are we to
our fellow Christians?
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