2Th 3:18 | KingComments | STEP | . The reason why Paul goes into this question of ‘working for a living’ in such detail, is because he has heard something. He again received from a reliable source that there were believers at Thessalonica, who were not willing to work. As you have already seen, such believers are not a promotion for the Christian faith. Those ones who are guilty of that, must realize that. But not working was not the only point. People who do not work, have a lot of time to do other things. He who is not occupied according to the will of the Lord, will surely be occupied in a wrong way. Such believers are a plague for the church. They themselves do not do anything and if they do something, it is keeping others from their work. They meddle in matters that are none of their business. Meddlesomeness is a wrong thing against which the Scripture also in other places warns ( ; ). If you get a visit from busybodies, you may not easily get rid of them. They rob you from your time and energy and they also expect you to invite them for dinner. When they have finally left then you have to work twice as hard to catch up the delay you have suffered. . Then Paul addresses the unruly persons. He has a command and exhortation for them “in the Lord Jesus Christ”. By commanding and exhorting them in this way he does not put himself above them, but beside them. He acknowledged them as brethren ‘in the Lord Jesus Christ’. That is his starting point for his command and exhortation. In that way his order to them does not sound demanding, but loving and at the same time full of power. He orders them to eat their own bread, which means to take care of their own livelihood, instead of eating someone else’s bread. That is the reverse of . He adds to it that they should “work in quiet fashion”. A Christian is not restless, hectically seeking for more and more. The reputation of a workaholic (someone who is addicted to work) is therefore not a promotion. The life of a Christian radiates rest, while there is still a lot of activity. He has a disciplined life full of meaning which is in huge contrast to the aimlessness of unruly persons. . Paul again addresses the whole church, but especially those who lead an orderly life. There is the danger to stop with doing good. One may have invested, had thought to help someone else. Sometime later he notices that the slacker has misused his kindness. I have experienced that also. One would say to himself: ‘That will in no way happen to me again.’ Paul’s response to that is: Do not grow weary of doing good. Just continue with doing good, but then to those who really need it.’ It is very likely that one makes that mistake again, but still this word remains: continue to do good. . In case someone still does not care about what Paul says, then ‘special note is to be taken of’ such a person. This measure implies that it must be openly announced in the church that such a person is refusing persistently to comply with the rules of the normal Christian life. Besides, the measure does not only apply in case a person does not want to work, but applies to all cases that consistently affects the Christian life and in that way the testimony of the church. The measure means that all social contacts with the person concerned should be broken. ‘To take special note of’ means to give a personal mark, which makes identification possible. It is like putting a stamp on someone. Such a person is no longer allowed to feel the blessed fellowship of his brothers and sisters. By isolating him he ought to feel the wrong of his behavior. He does not belong to the world and the believers do not associate with him. The purpose of this measure of discipline is that he “will be put to shame”, so that a change of the state of mind may take place. . The normal brotherly association is not possible anymore and will strongly be cooled down. However, he is not to be regarded as an enemy (cf. ). He is not a ‘wicked man’. The discipline that should be exerted on a wicked man goes much further. When there is mention of a wicked man, it is about someone of whom you should ask yourself whether he is indeed a brother. Such is not the case here, for he is to be admonished “as a brother”. In case of a wicked man there is nothing left to be admonished about. All attempts to win him, have failed. There is nothing left than to remove him ( ). You may compare the difference between these disciplinary measures of the church with what can happen in a family with a child that is disobedient. The most serious disciplinary measure is that a child is refused to have access to the house. The parents surely have taken a lot of other measures before they proceed to do that. If a child is disobedient, the parents will first talk with him. When the child appears to persist and continually causes disagreement or refuses to adjust himself, then he may be set apart, for example. That measure is only effective if the rest of the family members have the same attitude as the parents. The family will also pray continually, that the Lord may let the child feel the missing of the family contact and in that way may come to repentance. A person who has to be taken special note of is still allowed to partake of the Lord’s Supper. He belongs to the church and is allowed to express that by the breaking of the bread. But for everything else he is isolated. And in case there is a contact, the believers will take that occasion to admonish him. It is important that we realize every time we exercise discipline, that we ourselves also often fail. Admonition should in no way be applied arrogantly. . After the admonition Paul focuses his eyes on “the Lord of peace” ( ; ). That is urgent because the exertion of discipline may easily arouse feelings of discontent. It can be discontent about the disciplinary measure or discontent about the way it is being dealt with. Paul wishes them that they may experience the peace of the Lord, of Him personally. That makes his wish, which is actually a prayer, more than a feeling. It becomes an experience of fellowship with the Lord. If it would depend on us, how much discontent would there be? Therefore it is so important to look upon Him Who rules and Who can work peace. He is the great Prince of peace. He can ensure that peace is maintained when sin asserts itself in the church. He will then make sure that it is being dealt with in the right way. That only happens if everyone is focused on Him for everything that happens in the church. But He is also the Lord of peace in every other area of life that lies outside the church. He is able to give peace “continually” and “in every circumstance”. ‘Continually’ means uninterrupted, always. ‘In every circumstance’ excludes that there may be panic in whatever way. His peace is uninterrupted with a view to time and indissoluble with a view to circumstances. Whatever the situation in which you may find yourself, the Lord is able to give you peace. It is the calmness of the heart that trusts in God and in that way is lifted above the circumstances. The word for ‘peace’ is the wish that the whole man, which is the spirit, soul and body, will prosper. It is not a wish or prayer for liberation from the test, but for peace in the test. He wishes them all the presence of the Lord. That also includes the brother who is living unruly. The moment that Paul is writing this, he himself has just experienced the presence of the Lord when he also faced difficulties ( ). The Lord Himself is saying that to you too very personally: “And lo, I am with you always” ( ). . Because the Thessalonians were upset about a letter that was allegedly written by Paul, he emphasizes that this letter really comes from him. They should in no way have any doubt about that. Most times Paul dictated his letters ( ). In cases he himself wrote a letter, he mentions it ( ; ), which indicates that this concerned an exception. Among the dictated letters he put his ‘signature’ by writing some concluding lines with his own hand. That excluded every doubt with the recipients (cf. ; ). They can derive from his handwriting that the letter is his. . He concludes with wishing them all “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ”. This is again a wish which he speaks out to “all”. This fare-well greeting is therefore also applied to the unruly persons. He doesn’t want to exclude anyone from the grace of God. All are in need of that grace. You are too. It is wonderful to pray that for one another. Now read 2 Thessalonians 3:12-18 again. Reflection: What shows the care of Paul for the faithful believers and what shows his care for the unruly ones?

‏ 2 Thessalonians 3:18

An Undisciplined Life and Greetings

2Thes 3:11. The reason why Paul goes into this question of ‘working for a living’ in such detail, is because he has heard something. He again received from a reliable source that there were believers at Thessalonica, who were not willing to work. As you have already seen, such believers are not a promotion for the Christian faith. Those ones who are guilty of that, must realize that. But not working was not the only point. People who do not work, have a lot of time to do other things. He who is not occupied according to the will of the Lord, will surely be occupied in a wrong way.

Such believers are a plague for the church. They themselves do not do anything and if they do something, it is keeping others from their work. They meddle in matters that are none of their business. Meddlesomeness is a wrong thing against which the Scripture also in other places warns (1Tim 5:13; 1Pet 4:15). If you get a visit from busybodies, you may not easily get rid of them. They rob you from your time and energy and they also expect you to invite them for dinner. When they have finally left then you have to work twice as hard to catch up the delay you have suffered.

2Thes 3:12. Then Paul addresses the unruly persons. He has a command and exhortation for them “in the Lord Jesus Christ”. By commanding and exhorting them in this way he does not put himself above them, but beside them. He acknowledged them as brethren ‘in the Lord Jesus Christ’. That is his starting point for his command and exhortation. In that way his order to them does not sound demanding, but loving and at the same time full of power.

He orders them to eat their own bread, which means to take care of their own livelihood, instead of eating someone else’s bread. That is the reverse of 2Thes 3:10. He adds to it that they should “work in quiet fashion”. A Christian is not restless, hectically seeking for more and more. The reputation of a workaholic (someone who is addicted to work) is therefore not a promotion. The life of a Christian radiates rest, while there is still a lot of activity. He has a disciplined life full of meaning which is in huge contrast to the aimlessness of unruly persons.

2Thes 3:13. Paul again addresses the whole church, but especially those who lead an orderly life. There is the danger to stop with doing good. One may have invested, had thought to help someone else. Sometime later he notices that the slacker has misused his kindness. I have experienced that also. One would say to himself: ‘That will in no way happen to me again.’ Paul’s response to that is: Do not grow weary of doing good. Just continue with doing good, but then to those who really need it.’ It is very likely that one makes that mistake again, but still this word remains: continue to do good.

2Thes 3:14. In case someone still does not care about what Paul says, then ‘special note is to be taken of’ such a person. This measure implies that it must be openly announced in the church that such a person is refusing persistently to comply with the rules of the normal Christian life. Besides, the measure does not only apply in case a person does not want to work, but applies to all cases that consistently affects the Christian life and in that way the testimony of the church. The measure means that all social contacts with the person concerned should be broken.

‘To take special note of’ means to give a personal mark, which makes identification possible. It is like putting a stamp on someone. Such a person is no longer allowed to feel the blessed fellowship of his brothers and sisters. By isolating him he ought to feel the wrong of his behavior. He does not belong to the world and the believers do not associate with him. The purpose of this measure of discipline is that he “will be put to shame”, so that a change of the state of mind may take place.

2Thes 3:15. The normal brotherly association is not possible anymore and will strongly be cooled down. However, he is not to be regarded as an enemy (cf. Mt 18:17). He is not a ‘wicked man’. The discipline that should be exerted on a wicked man goes much further. When there is mention of a wicked man, it is about someone of whom you should ask yourself whether he is indeed a brother. Such is not the case here, for he is to be admonished “as a brother”. In case of a wicked man there is nothing left to be admonished about. All attempts to win him, have failed. There is nothing left than to remove him (1Cor 5:13b).

You may compare the difference between these disciplinary measures of the church with what can happen in a family with a child that is disobedient. The most serious disciplinary measure is that a child is refused to have access to the house. The parents surely have taken a lot of other measures before they proceed to do that.

If a child is disobedient, the parents will first talk with him. When the child appears to persist and continually causes disagreement or refuses to adjust himself, then he may be set apart, for example. That measure is only effective if the rest of the family members have the same attitude as the parents. The family will also pray continually, that the Lord may let the child feel the missing of the family contact and in that way may come to repentance.

A person who has to be taken special note of is still allowed to partake of the Lord’s Supper. He belongs to the church and is allowed to express that by the breaking of the bread. But for everything else he is isolated. And in case there is a contact, the believers will take that occasion to admonish him. It is important that we realize every time we exercise discipline, that we ourselves also often fail. Admonition should in no way be applied arrogantly.

2Thes 3:16. After the admonition Paul focuses his eyes on “the Lord of peace” (Rom 15:33; Phil 4:9). That is urgent because the exertion of discipline may easily arouse feelings of discontent. It can be discontent about the disciplinary measure or discontent about the way it is being dealt with. Paul wishes them that they may experience the peace of the Lord, of Him personally. That makes his wish, which is actually a prayer, more than a feeling. It becomes an experience of fellowship with the Lord. If it would depend on us, how much discontent would there be? Therefore it is so important to look upon Him Who rules and Who can work peace. He is the great Prince of peace.

He can ensure that peace is maintained when sin asserts itself in the church. He will then make sure that it is being dealt with in the right way. That only happens if everyone is focused on Him for everything that happens in the church. But He is also the Lord of peace in every other area of life that lies outside the church. He is able to give peace “continually” and “in every circumstance”. ‘Continually’ means uninterrupted, always. ‘In every circumstance’ excludes that there may be panic in whatever way. His peace is uninterrupted with a view to time and indissoluble with a view to circumstances.

Whatever the situation in which you may find yourself, the Lord is able to give you peace. It is the calmness of the heart that trusts in God and in that way is lifted above the circumstances. The word for ‘peace’ is the wish that the whole man, which is the spirit, soul and body, will prosper. It is not a wish or prayer for liberation from the test, but for peace in the test.

He wishes them all the presence of the Lord. That also includes the brother who is living unruly. The moment that Paul is writing this, he himself has just experienced the presence of the Lord when he also faced difficulties (Acts 18:10). The Lord Himself is saying that to you too very personally: “And lo, I am with you always” (Mt 28:20).

2Thes 3:17. Because the Thessalonians were upset about a letter that was allegedly written by Paul, he emphasizes that this letter really comes from him. They should in no way have any doubt about that. Most times Paul dictated his letters (Rom 16:22). In cases he himself wrote a letter, he mentions it (Gal 6:11; Phlm 1:19), which indicates that this concerned an exception. Among the dictated letters he put his ‘signature’ by writing some concluding lines with his own hand. That excluded every doubt with the recipients (cf. 1Cor 16:21; Col 4:18). They can derive from his handwriting that the letter is his.

2Thes 3:18. He concludes with wishing them all “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ”. This is again a wish which he speaks out to “all”. This fare-well greeting is therefore also applied to the unruly persons. He doesn’t want to exclude anyone from the grace of God. All are in need of that grace. You are too. It is wonderful to pray that for one another.

Now read 2 Thessalonians 3:12-18 again.

Reflection: What shows the care of Paul for the faithful believers and what shows his care for the unruly ones?