2Th 3:6-18 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Thess 3:6-15: 3:6-15 In his previous letter, Paul had addressed the problem of lazy members of the church who refused to work (1 Thes 4:11-12 ; 5:14 ). Some had ignored his message and example, so he gives additional instruction for dealing with these members. 3:6 Paul’s command is given by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thes 4:2 ). • Church members should shun Christians who live idle lives (see 2 Thes 3:7 , 11-13 ; 1 Thes 5:14 ). To stay away from the lazy would make a strong impression on them (Matt 18:17 ; Rom 16:17 ; 1 Cor 5:9-13 ), promoting shame (2 Thes 3:14 ) and repentance, but stopping short of excommunication (3:15 ).

Summary for 2Thess 3:6-15: 3:6-15 ^a In his previous letter, Paul had addressed the problem of lazy members of the church who refused to work (1 Thes 4:11-12 ^b; 5:14 ^c). Some had ignored his message and example, so he gives additional instruction for dealing with these members. 3:6 ^d Paul’s command is given by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thes 4:2 ^e).

• Church members should shun Christians who live idle lives (see 2 Thes 3:7 ^f, 11-13 ^g; 1 Thes 5:14 ^h). To stay away from the lazy would make a strong impression on them (Matt 18:17 ⁱ; Rom 16:17 ^j; 1 Cor 5:9-13 ^k), promoting shame (2 Thes 3:14 ^l) and repentance, but stopping short of excommunication (3:15 ^m).
3:7 ⁿ Teaching by example was highly regarded in the ancient world. Paul himself provided an example by working for his own food (3:8 ^o; 1 Thes 2:9 ^p).
3:8 ^q without paying for it: Although Paul taught that workers in the Christian church could receive pay for their labor (3:9 ^r; see Matt 10:10 ^s; 1 Cor 9:7-14 ^t; 1 Tim 5:17-18 ^u), he did not take advantage of that privilege (1 Thes 2:9 ^v; 2 Thes 3:6-10 ^w).
3:9 ^x Paul had distanced himself from others in the culture who were motivated by fame and money (1 Thes 2:5 ^y).
3:10 ^z Work is the appropriate way to gain a living (see Gen 3:17-19 ^aa; Ps 128:2 ^ab; Prov 10:4 ^ac). Paul absolves the church of the responsibility of feeding other believers who refuse to work.
3:12 ^ad Paul underscores the strength of the command by appealing to the authority of the Lord Jesus (as in 3:6 ^ae; 1 Thes 4:1-2 ^af).

• settle down: i.e., lead a quiet life instead of being involved in meddlesome activities (see 1 Thes 4:11 ^ag).
3:13 ^ah doing good: The Thessalonians were exhorted to reach out and help those in genuine need (see Gal 6:9-10 ^ai), in contrast with those who are lazy and dependent (2 Thes 3:7-8 ^aj, 10 ^ak).
3:14 ^al Paul hoped that the disobedient Christians would be ashamed and repent (see study note on 3:6) in response to being shunned by the community.
3:15 ^am Don’t think of them as enemies: In the ancient world, social relations with enemies were broken off and punitive action was initiated against them. Paul warns the Thessalonians that discipline against disobedient Christians (3:14 ^an) should not result in this kind of attack. Rather, the church should treat them as members of the family, with the hope that they would correct their conduct (1 Thes 5:12 ^ao, 14 ^ap).
3:16 ^aq The final prayer echoes Jesus’ blessing in John 14:27 ^ar (cp. Num 6:26 ^as) and contrasts with the situation these believers faced in Thessalonica (2 Thes 1:4-10 ^at; 1 Thes 2:14 ^au). Paul was always conscious of the Lord Jesus’ presence with his people (Rom 15:33 ^av; Phil 4:9 ^aw).
3:17 ^ax A secretary had written this letter for Paul (Rom 16:22 ^ay; 1 Pet 5:12 ^az). Now Paul takes the pen to add a final greeting in his own hand (cp. 1 Cor 16:21 ^ba; Gal 6:11 ^bb; Col 4:18 ^bc; Phlm 1:19 ^bd). Because he suspected that a letter he had not written was circulating under his name (2 Thes 2:2 ^be), he emphasizes this authenticating procedure to prove this letter is from him.
3:18 ^bf Ancient letters frequently ended with a wish for health or prosperity, but Paul’s blessing is much grander: He calls on the Lord Jesus Christ to grant grace to the recipients (see 1 Thes 5:28 ^bg).