2 Thessalonians 3:6-16 Unwilling to Work?

[hotcoffee]

2 Thessalonians 3:6 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[a] 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.​

a.2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or tradition

Paul, Silas and Timothy had already talked about the lazy people in Church at Thessalonica in the first letter (1 Thessalonians 5:12-15). Apparently, this was still a problem.

In the first letter they said:

1 Thessalonians 5: 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.​

Apparently the people had warned the lazy and disruptive members. Apparently they had encouraged the weak. Apparently they had been patient with them. Paul, Silas, and Timothy had instructed them to do that in the first letter.

As you recall, there were some who thought that either Jesus had already come so it was their duty to fight those who didn't believe or Jesus was coming back right away so there was no reason to go to work. Paul, Silas, and Timothy had instructed them that the time wasn't right. They had to wait until the "anti-Christ" came first. They told the Thessalonians that they would know him because he would claim to be the one and only God. So, Paul, Silas and Timothy told them to go back to work and wait.

Apparently the first letter didn't work. So Paul, Silas, and Timothy had to address this in the second letter. They tackled the matter in a direct manner. “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

Later in history, John Smith would use this approach at Jamestown. They had limited provisions. They were clearing the land, planting food, and defending themselves so they had no use for those who wouldn't pitch in.

 

[b23hqb]

I would say that is a problem in probably every church and/or social organization - about 10% of the people do 90% of the work. I'm all for "if you don't work, you don't eat, especially on my dime" line of thought. It just could make things a bit more productive.

 

[hotcoffee]

I would say that is a problem in probably every church and/or social organization - about 10% of the people do 90% of the work. I'm all for "if you don't work, you don't eat, especially on my dime" line of thought. It just could make things a bit more productive.

The people of the church at Thessalonica were dependent on each other much like the settlers at Jamestown. There were people who were out to kill them. So they had to depend on one another for protection. They also had to set an example for the non-believers around them. Working rather than sitting around gossiping all day was a good example. When Paul went to Thessalonica to spread the gospel, He would have been the tentmaker who was also spreading the gospel. He set the original example based on the instruction Jesus gave to His disciples. He took care not to be "beholding to anyone".

Now that I think about it....this is also in line with Proverbs 22:7.

I hadn't put this on the same plane as the duties handed out in the churches today.