Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead
and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked
and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will
establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about
you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May
the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God
and to the steadfastness of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Paul always asked his congregations for prayer, as he knew
his work would go on as long as he lived. He and his fellow ministers did their
work of evangelism and teaching under great pressure from the Jews as well as
the government. Christian workers always need prayer support, and that is
something every believer can contribute at all times. God provides the
opportunities and opens the doors for ministry, but the Church should always
pray for these opportunities and open doors. Where the way has been prepared,
the positive people will be waiting for the Word to be delivered, and they will
believe. That had been the case with the Thessalonian believers, and Paul loved
to give them as an example of this truth. There are always wicked and evil men
lying in wait for the servants of God, to harm and hinder their work. That is
something prayer warriors must keep in mind, regarding the needs of these
evangelists and church planters.
Not all have faith. A great many do not. They are often
hostile to those who do. This is a constant hazard in the life of any
Christian, especially those who are actively involved in public ministry. The
unbelievers and even some carnal believers will erect obstacles to the work.
Our faithful Lord knows who they are and where they are. He gives us the
equipment and the determination we need to navigate the minefields of
negativity and opposition. Paul’s confidence in the Thessalonian Church was
that they were doing as he had instructed them, and would continue to do so.
They had the Holy Spirit indwelling and they were willing to obey. That is the
right combination.
Often, when I find myself praying fervently for God’s will
to be done in the life of someone I love, I’m reminded: that person IS the Lord’s.
He IS doing His will in them. Just because I’m anxious about something, or
about not knowing, that doesn’t mean His plan for them is not being worked out.
He doesn’t have to explain to me. I continue to pray, but with more assurance
that there are no accidents with those who belong to God, and He is always in
control. And I thank Him for that truth, and for the knowledge of it. Paul
wanted for his sheep just what we want for those we love: the love of God and
the steadfastness of Christ. Those qualities will stabilize the believer in the
midst of worldly hostility.
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in
accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you
yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with
you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night
and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that
right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For
even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let
him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work,
but busybodies. Now such
persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work
quietly and to earn their own living.
As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that
person, and have nothing to do with him, that he
may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in
every way. The Lord be with you all. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.
This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18
As an apostle to the Church, Paul had the authority to
command them in the name of Jesus to shun the freeloaders in their
congregation, who apparently had decided that since the Lord was coming back at
any moment, they could just retire from work and wait for Him. This was not the
example Paul had given to anyone he taught. He and his fellow ministers didn’t
even let the Church support them, but worked at paying trades to earn their own
keep wherever they went.
Some of these brothers, though, had become idle busybodies,
no longer earning their own living, but depending on the generosity of others
as they contemplated eternity. Paul minced no words: “if any will not work,
neither should he eat” (v.10 KJV). While the obedient believers continued in
their attitude of grace toward all in real need, they should exercise
discipline toward the deliberately idle, forcing them to realize their shame. This
should be done as a warning, an admonishment; not to hurt but to lovingly
correct.
Paul signed off with words of peace and encouragement in the
Lord. He also verified his authorship of this letter by writing “with my own
hand….it is the way I write.” They had received a forgery earlier, remember (2 Thessalonians 2:2).
There could be no question about this one.
