August 2, 2014 2nd Thessalonians Chapter 3

2nd Thessalonians Chapter 3

Originally posted Friday September 19, 2008

2nd Thessalonians Chapter 3:1-5 Prayer Request

The writer's request for the community's prayer support "so that the word of the Lord may spread" everywhere confirms his status as part of an evangelist team continuing to preach the Gospel from city to city after the model of Paul. In the request he includes a word of praise for the Thessalonians among whom the "word of the Lord" has flourished and been glorified - deemed to be holy and of God. Because his work takes place in a hostile world where believers are a distinct minority and there are many "wicked and evil people," he asks their prayers for God's deliverance from such evil. This is not for his sake alone but for the sake of the work he and others have undertaken.

As for the "persecutions and afflictions" the community is facing, he knows God will strengthen them and guard them from this evil. He believes God will extend such strengthening -that they may remain faithful in all things. This strengthening encouragement  from God will be their guard against any temptation to stray from continuing to follow the commands of the Gospel. Thus they will merit the confidence of the writer in their continued faithfulness.

Vs. 5a can be understood in two ways. The writer may be expressing his prayerful wish that their hearts (deepest feelings) be directed "toward" the love of God for the Thessalonian believers, or that their hearts (deepest feelings) be directed "toward" their love for God. In either case the believer is directed toward the imitation of the impartial nature of God's love. As they love God and God loves them so are they to love one another.

Vs. 5b also has dual meanings directing the heart (deepest feelings) toward the steadfastness of Christ's saving presence among the believers or the believers' steadfastness in faithfully living a life in Christ. Either meaning demands obedience to "the things that we command."

2nd Thessalonians Chapter 3:6-15 Warning Against Idleness

The writer expands on Paul's appeal in 1st Thess. 5:14 to "admonish the idlers." He has changed the tone from an appeal to a command - and that being with the authority of the Lord, to shun believers who are "living in idleness." That is, they are not working in order to support themselves but are living off the labor of others which he sees as contributing to disunity. He cites a tradition (apostolic practice) known to them from Paul's (and the writer's) work among them which they should imitate. Paul had made a point of letting the communities he established know that the Gospel was being presented free of charge and without burdening any community's resources. He worked with his own hands to support himself as did others who worked with him. They did not "eat anyone's bread without paying for it" even though they had a right to the communities' material support. The writer adds the authority of Paul to his command that "anyone unwilling to work should not eat." This sounds harsh but the context explains the command. There are those whose idleness is occupied with being "mere busybodies instead of work. The writer shifts his attention to the idlers. He commands and exhorts them "in the Lord" to work quietly - without complaining, and to "earn their own living" for that is the right thing to do.

The writer again addresses the non-idler believers, directing them to note those who do not obey what he has commanded in the letter. He repeats his first command that they "have nothing to do with" those who disobey. Perhaps such shunning will lead them to feel shame for the tension of disunity they have caused. Perhaps they will reconsider the necessity of work and resume their place as a contributing part of a unified church. In any case such persons are not to be regarded as enemies. The church's aim is to reform not to expel. Therefore, they are to be admonished as believers befitting Christian love for one another.

2nd Thessalonians Chapter 3:16-18 Final Greetings and Benediction

The writer invokes the peace of the Lord from the Lord of peace, a need arising from the existing division over idleness and a reminder of the peace extended by Christ to all believers, including idlers. This inclusion is reinforced with the phrase "The Lord be with you all" for it is the writer's hope that all will be with Christ on the "Day of the Lord."

Vs. 17 is one of professed authentication not of authorship but a stating of the ongoing authority of Paul in the life of the church he established. The sense of Paul's "presence" would have been helpful for the divided congregation, a calming influence leading the believers to remember him fondly and to heed the traditions he once taught to them. Thus it is absent of his usual personal notes and greeting. The members will be reminded of his shepherding love for them and would hear him speak to them in the usual way in a prayer that the "grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all."