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CHRISTIAN WORK ETHIC. II Thessalonians 3:6-12. 2/13/2022. #7.
II Thessalonians 3:6-12 [New King James Version]
6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
1. One issue to deal with
a. After much praise of the church, Paul waits until the end of the letter to deal with a thorny issue
a1. There were those who had quit their jobs, awaiting the Lord’s return
a2. Idleness brought on intrusiveness into the lives of others
b. Paul uses the word disorderly three times
a1. Paul set the example by refusing to impose on others for food and shelter (I Chronicles 9:9-12)
b1. He could have insisted on this
b2. By ministering, he could expect support from those he taught
a2. Paul = not want to be accused of being in the ministry for gain
a3. Paul worked with leather to support himself and those with him (I Corinthians 4:8-12)
c. Paul warns against fellowshipping with the disorderly (irresponsible)
a1. There are many challenges within churches
a2. Irresponsible and immature believers are a burden and challenge to others in the church
a3. Even though most of the church acted properly, some did not
d. The problem with irresponsible believers in church
a1. Irresponsible behavior is contagious (particularly among the least mature)
a2. We must not encourage irresponsible acts by ignoring them
a3. Irresponsibility is disruptive in a church
2. Loving discipline
a. Paul commands to withdrawal from the irresponsible (unaccountable, reckless)
a1. Romans 16:17-18 avoiding troublemakers
a2. Matthew 18:15-18 the entire church becomes involves with dealing with disruption
a3. Revelation 2:20 a church shirks its responsibility of discipline; God will step in with harder measures to solve the issue
b. Paul not only taught the way of salvation and correct doctrine, but proper behavior also (I Thessalonians 4:7-12)
a1. People read our behavior first
a2. Paul was strove to set a good example
a3. Christianity is relational, doctrinal, and moral
c. Jm. 1:22-25 belief must be put into action to be real
3. The face of irresponsibility
a. The irresponsible = a blot on Thessalonica church
b. Paul never taught the return of Christ meant idleness
c. Three results of irresponsibility:
a1. Disorderliness and a disruptive influence
a2. Became busybodies in other men’s affairs
b1. Idleness produced nosiness (they had lots of time on hands; others did not)
b2. I Peter 4 hinders others from their work
a3. Sponged off of others (took advantage)
d. Paul commanded three things:
a1. If a man doesn’t work = he doesn’t eat
b1. I Timothy 5 take care of own family
b2. Those who refuse to work and take care of self are not owed charity
b3. Charity is for true needs
a2. Eat own bread in quietness of own home
a3. Church is to exhort the disruptive ones to repent (poor testimony to freeload)
Key verse: I Thessalonians 4:7-127 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who[a] has also given us His Holy Spirit. 9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.