Class Discussion Notes for 2 Thessalonians 3

2 Thess 3:1-5

3 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.  (NIV, 1984)

 

• It is always interesting to compare the prayer of early believers to how we pray. What do you see in Paul's prayer? What is missing?
• Not a lot of health prayers (missing)
• Focus on the message
• to spread quickly
• to be honored (why?)
• When people think the message is foolish or ineffective, they dismiss it
• Deliverance from wicked people
• Direct our hearts
• into God's love
• into Christ's perseverance
• What does it mean "direct our hearts?"
• NT:2720 kateuthuno (kat-yoo-thoo'-no); (an idiom, literally 'to guide the feet properly') to guide or direct behavior in an appropriate manner (Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domain. 1988 United Bible Societies, New York.)

• APPLICATION: Do our lives honor the message or cause people to doubt the reality of God?

 

2 Thess 3:6-10

6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."  (NIV, 1984)

 

• This is a general teaching to the entire church, the specific admonition will follow in the next paragraph. There is an even more general rule that was given in the last letter
• 1 Thess 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
• What vas the key point That we discussed concerning this verse?
• Not to confuse the verbs and the objects

•  First of all are we discussing Christian on non-Christian? "Brother"
•  Next, what is the characteristic of the brother?
•  Lazy
•  He is in rebellion the teaching

•  In this case, how are we to treat the believer?
•  Actually, the first step was giver in the last letter, what is it? Warn!
•  To keep away (separate)
• Why?
• The faithful majority in the church was to separate, probably individually and socially, from the unruly to alert the offenders to the fact that their behavior was not acceptable. The desired result was that they would repent (Constable, 2007)
• This is consisted with Matt 18:15-17 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'  17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (NIV, 1984)
• Apparently, it is assumed that the warning was personal and then with one or two others

• To emphasize the point, how does Paul continue the argument?
• Paul points to his own example
• But Paul's example is actually different from the case at hand, how?
• Paul didn't have to work outside of ministry
• Technically, Paul could have expected pay for his ministry (3:9) and ...
• 1 Tim 5:17-18 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." (NIV, 1984)

• APPLICATION:
• The first is that we are to separate from the brother who refuses to obey the scripture, even after being warned (this is a COMMAND -- see 3:6)
• The second is that we are to pay for our expenses
• The third is that we should set an example beyond what is required

 

2 Thess 3:11-13

11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. (NIV, 1984)

 

• Now, Paul gets very specific.  Apparently there are idle brothers, busybodies
• What is a busybody?
• NT:4020, periergazomai (per-ee-er-gad'-zom-ahee); from NT:4012 and NT:2038; to work all around, i.e. bustle about (meddle): (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. 2006)
• In some languages one may speak of a busybody as 'one who puts his spoon in someone else's cup' or 'one who always tells another how to buy and sell.' (Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domain. 1988 United Bible Societies, New York)
• (Ecclus 3:23; Herodotus 3, 46; Plato, Apology, p. 19 b.; others): used apparently of a person officiously inquisitive about others' affairs (A. V. to be a busybody), 2 Thess 3:11, as in Demosthenes, p. 150, 24 (cf. p. 805, 4 etc.).  (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon, 2006)

• After Paul admonishes the idle brother, why add the admonition "as for you, never tire of doing good" for everyone else?
• Have you ever tried to "warn" or "rebuke" someone for some sin? 
• It doesn't always turn out very good
• It is easy to give up and say, I'm not doing that again
• One might even apply (wrongly) the "busybody" instruction to themselves to avoid confronting someone over sin
• It is tough to do the right thing.  The key is not to make it personal nor emotional.  Also, don't warn someone on the basis of one or two failures, we all fail many times.  A rebuke or warning should be on the basis of a pattern

• One interesting point is that these brothers may have chose "idleness" based on an incorrect understanding of the end times.  One could say they were trying to follow scripture.  Although scripture never teaches to quit work because the end times are near.  The only behavioral teaching regarding the end times is to not let one's lamp go dim.  Which actually suggests living even more fervently for Christ as the days get darker
• APPLICATION:  This is very hard stuff.  The far easier application is not to be lazy and a busybody

 

2 Thess 3:14-15

14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. (NIV, 1984)

 

• Paul expands the definition beyond just idleness, but to anyone who disobeys the instruction in the letter
• What is the purpose of "not associating" with a brother in rebellion to God's word?
• He would feel ashamed
• Ultimately that he would be restored, because he is not an enemy, but a brother (or sister)

• Ignoring a person's sin does not help the person (although it is easier because no one enjoys conflict)

 

2 Thess 3:16-18

16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

 

17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

 

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. (NIV, 1984)

 

• We add another item for our prayers -- praying for God to give peace at all times and in all ways.  I think we prefer that God changes the circumstances rather than provide peace
• Apparently Paul does not write his letters, but dictates them, except now and then at the end.  This could be the result of the purported letters (2:2) from Paul.  Since this is not in Galatians or 1 Thess, this is a new thing for Paul