seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
2 Thessalonians 3:1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
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.
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.
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.
a. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or tradition
Oh this one is going to be fun. This is from the easy English site.
As Paul, Silas and Timothy wrote this letter, they were having bad problems in Corinth. There were many in Corinth and in other places that were opposed to them. These enemies were trying to stop them from preaching the gospel. Many of these were Jews. These Jews did not accept that Jesus was the Christ. There were also the Gentiles who had not believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. These wicked and evil people attacked Paul and his friends. They would not come to the Lord and they tried to stop other people from coming to him.
Not everyone has the faith to believe the good news. Many who hear what the Christians teach will not accept it as the truth. Lack of faith explains the bad attitude some have to Christ and to his people.
Paul, Silas and Timothy had taught the new Christians at Thessalonica that they should work. It was not right for those who would not work to depend on their friends to provide for them. The writers had urged the church to warn those who would not work (1 Thessalonians 5:14). But that warning had not had the effect that they had desired. There were still those who would not work. We do not know why they did not work. It may be that they were just lazy. Perhaps they thought that the Lord was coming soon. So they thought that they did not need to work. It was not that they could not work or that there was no work for them to do. They chose not to work.
Paul, Silas and Timothy think that some probably will not obey the command. Some may choose to continue their manner of life and not work. Paul now describes how the Christians should deal with those people. The first thing to do is to discover who these persons are. This may mean to write down their names so that the whole church can act. Because the Christians need to know against whom they are to take action.
They should be firm as they deal with these who will not obey the rules. They should have nothing to do with them. They should not feed them or provide for them. Then the guilty persons will see that they are wrong. They may be ashamed and perhaps they will repent and change.
These are Christians who are wrong. They are not enemies. They are brothers and sisters. The church should not throw them out. They are still part of the church. It is the duty of the other Christians to warn them. But they should do it with love, because they are brothers and sisters.
This is the view from the bible-studys.org site.Paul had certainly met with his share of unreasonable men. This is a gross understatement, to say that all men have not the faith. Even today, many men do not have the faith. It was even more so in Paul's day. Christianity was new. Many of the people where Paul had gone worshipped idols. His greatest persecution came from the Jews, however.
Paul was called to a ministry of suffering. These unreasonable and wicked men are men who will not listen to, or accept the Truth. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Those who reject faith in Jesus are doomed. Paul is not afraid for himself, but for the others with him, and for these in Thessalonica.
Paul had taught of the second coming of Christ. Their error had come in expecting His return to be immediately. Paul is not asking them, but commanding them to not fall into false doctrine. Brethren indicate that this was for all the believers in the church, not just the officials.
The "disorderly" here, would be those who do not follow the teachings Paul established there. Traditional teachings are those that were originally established in the church by Paul. One person walking disorderly can cause a great confusion in the church. It is best to remove yourself from any influence of the disorderly, so that you will not become disorderly yourself.
It seems many of these people were expecting the Lord back so quickly, that they had quit their jobs and were just sitting around waiting for the return of the Lord. We are instructed in the Word of God over and over to be doing the work of the Lord even up until the hour that he comes. Paul reminds them that he worked and made his own living while he ministered to them.
Paul did not want to be obligated to any of them, so he made a living making tents. Paul did this not so that he could brag about it, but so that he could stay away from the influence of obligation. The job of ministering is a full-time job by itself, and is very hard labor. It is a labor of love, but it is still very tiring.
I can see it now. Paul came into town and told the people about Jesus and how He had conquered death and He was coming back. Paul said that those who believed would be taken to a new place.... or they would see a new kingdom.... and they would be in Heaven..... Well at that glorious news.... some of the men decided to just have a seat and wait for Jesus to come get them. Why work when they don't have to pay the mortgage.... they won't need the house... they were going with Jesus. On top of that... the church would give them food and shelter while they waited. Jesus always did what He said He would do. Jesus said He was coming back. Jesus would be back.
Problem is... those men forgot who Jesus is. He's the Son of God.... so he doesn't live by the same time clock as we do.. He is the Son so He doesn't have to pay attention to the sun dial. Jesus was there when all these humans were being sculpted. Jesus was there when Paul was telling the church about the Mission. Jesus was there when the "faithful" guy said "Well, if Jesus is coming soon... I'll just sit here and wait... hand me a sandwich will ya?".
That's what I was taught in Sunday School. That's what I was taught in Bible Study while I still had the KJV and I was relying on someone to tell me what it meant. But now that I have the NIV.... my online Bible... and commentary on line.... commentary from dozens of studied scholars.... and my life experience... because after all I am 70 now so I've seen a lot of things... and I've visited a lot of churches.... Now I'm questioning the view from where they were all sitting. I'm beginning to think the people who were teaching me couldn't read it and understand it either.... and this is written and there are dozens of commentary!
Here's what I think might have happened. I think there were people who heard Paul talking. They heard about the uproar that had occurred years before in Jerusalem... and they were just as tired of being ruled by the Romans.... and the Messiah was on the way. They didn't want to be out in the field or at the office when Jesus returned. They wanted to be part of His army... they wanted to overthrow Rome... they did not want to miss the chance to be in this Messiah's army. Paul seemed to think the return was immanent. See the problem... they were at the church to join the militia that they "believed" the Messiah would choose them to join. They "believed" that they could be part of the Messiah's army.
Wait.... so here's the riff..... they didn't believe that Jesus was crucified on a Roman Cross for their sins.... they didn't believe that they should let Jesus be the foundation of everything they did. They were there to join the militia and help Jesus beat back Rome. So... they had no responsibilities... they sold their land... they would wait right there.
Paul said ignore them.... if they are really brothers and sisters..... ignoring them is really rough. They needed each other.... they would be out in the cold without the church people.... those guys who were selling idols hated the Christians because they caused sales to drop.... and they would beat anyone who preached to them.... so there was protection in the church... one could sit around waiting in safety..... But Paul said... turn them a cold shoulder.... and tell them why...
When I first started to read and note this chapter.... I thought "fake". Then when I read the commentary.... I thought "Wannabe".
I think there are a lot of people in the church today... who are like those unbelievers. I think there are a lot of preachers in the church today... who are like those unbelievers. I think they got swept up in the music and the hugging and the smiles and the good coffee and the delicious fried chicken, green bean casserole, and delicious apple betty deserts.... and they figure... this is the life for me. "I could stay here forever..... and you want me to memorize a few verses? Sure.... hand 'em over"
The church does some people a horrible disservice. The church is really good at telling the Bible Story. There is so much printed and on air and on line media that the story is easy to tell in every language and every age. It's all so beautiful... anyone would want to join up.... it's just a quick walk up to the preacher... a nodding and "oh yeah" at the right place in the discussion... and you're in. The people in the church will support fellow members. They will buy their products from a "brother or sister in Christ" before they will buy from a non-believer. They will trust a church member above a non-believer...
On top of that.... once the guy who was caught up in the fever of the exciting "Good News" without believing.... once the guy has been around for a while... people start listening to him like he knows what he's talking about. He's been there... so he must know... and when he twists the gospel a little... whether accidental or to line his pocket... that twist takes hold... the gospel gets changed as if the church is playing a game of "telephone" and the preacher does what the long time says the people need him to do..... and that's what I think Paul is really talking about.
They look like believers... they go to church like believers.... they should be forgiven for the things they do that are not Christian... after all it is what "our church" teaches.... fakes in the pulpit but not on purpose...
The point is... there were... and still are.... fake believers in the church... and they might not even know they are the fake ones. They may have been told and are convinced that not only are they good members of the church [check out how much they declare on their taxes].... just waiting on Jesus to come back.
They Wannabe.. right?
