1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 - Work With Your Own Hands

9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

Target Date: Sunday, 29 January 2023

NOTES:

Word Study/ Translation Notes:

11 – Work - ἐργάζομαι ĕrgazŏmai, er-gad´-zom-ahee; mid. voice from 2041; to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by impl.) effect, be engaged in or with, etc.:— commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work.

Thoughts on the Passage:

11 - Finally, the members of the church were urged, “Work with your hands.” It is not surprising that such an exhortation should come from one with a Jewish background. Working for one’s living “was often understood by the rabbis to be divinely commanded; together with the study of the Law, it was a mainstay of life.” The Greek attitude was quite different. Manual labor was considered slavish and demeaning for one who had the means to dedicate himself to loftier cultural pursuits.50 Yet manual labor did have its place and was accorded appropriate respect by many Greek moralists. Thus engaging in respectable forms of manual labor could have the intended results of garnering the respect of outsiders (Jewish and Greek) and fending off need. However, Paul’s intent here was not to praise manual labor per se. This is not a command to the wealthy to take up a trade but an encouragement to each individual to do his own work and so be a self-supporting, contributing member of the church and so also of his city. Paul himself attempted to set a good example in this regard (2:9; 2 Thess 3:7–9). The opposite was to live a life of idleness and dependence. Paul reasoned that a person capable of working should do just that. At the same time, the church was to continue engaging in benevolence to those truly in need (2 Thess 3:11–13). Once again Paul stressed that these were not new commands but were comparable to that which the apostle had “told” the church previously.

This did not mean giving up Christian distinctives. The church should not gloss over the stumbling block of the cross or surrender Christian sexual ethics in an effort to fit into society. In short, where clear Christian principles conflicted with societal norms, the Christian was to obey Christ, not appease society. Yet the church was not to alienate itself from society. In order to be a witness in the world, the church had to remain in it and in dialogue with it. Christians had to live lives that gained them a measure of respect—even if it was given grudgingly. The respect they gained from the world impacted the world’s opinion of the gospel. Thus the church had to walk the fine line of neither alienating nor imitating non-Christian society. To do either was to fail in their God-given task of sharing the good news.

11 - Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; - 1 Peter 4:15

For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. – 2 Thessalonians 3:11

11 – This doesn’t mean that we should be unhelpful or oblivious to the needs of our brother; far from it.

He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. – Ephesians 4:28

Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. – Matthew 7:3-5

Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. – Titus 3:14

Honor widows who are widows indeed; 4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5 Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day. 6 But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. – 1 Timothy 5:3-8

If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed. – 1 Timothy 5:16

11 – WORK with your hands; do not simply extend them to have them filled by someone else.

Sermon Text:

We continue to look at these instructions Paul and Silas are giving to the Thessalonian church, things they indicate are not new to these believers.

While they were in Thessalonica, these were among the things they taught the young believers:

“Be ambitious to live quietly.”

“Mind your own affairs.”

And, as we will look at today, “work with your hands.”

All three of these things were to the purpose laid out in verse 12:

so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one

This wasn’t simply for appearance’s sake:

It wasn’t just so people would look at the Christians and see how cleanly they lived.

It wasn't about bragging rights or popularity.

It was so that the believers, and the apostles included themselves in this,

So that the believers would provide no artificial offense for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So they would not hinder anyone from coming to the gospel.

There may be some that might say that the call of God to Himself would outweigh our hindrances, and I would say with certainty that His call is truly that compelling.

But in the same breath I would also point out that Jesus warned against becoming stumbling blocks, or scandals, or hindrances to the gospel.

And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. – Mark 10:13-14

He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. – Luke 17:1-2

As those who believe and profess the doctrine of God’s sovereignty in electing His saints, we boldly confess that justification of the sinner is entirely God’s work.

But we must never allow that good confession to decay into some sort of spiritual fatalism, relying in every case on God to save his sheep in spite of our actions.

The greatest threat to the spread of the gospel of Christ is not the government;

It is not the pagans;

It is not the humanists;

It is not our sin-soaked society.

The greatest threat to the spread of the gospel is the sin-soaked church.

The greatest threat is found in the hearts of believers who would rather accumulate the world’s wealth or power or fame than seek out God’s lost sheep.

It is Christians who would rather have ease and luxury than to see a single person saved from the clutches of the evil one.

Who have been so molded by their culture that they become ineffective for the gospel.

And that is EXACTLY what Paul and Silas know is the danger lurking in the shadows of the Thessalonian church.

When the people of the church begin to see themselves as worthy receivers rather than bondservants and stewards.

Consider how serious Paul was about not allowing ANY so-called right or privilege hinder the gospel from being proclaimed:

To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. – 1 Corinthians 9:20-23

Face it: the gospel is, at its heart, offensive to those who do not believe:

It bids a person to repent of their sins, to call out to God through Jesus Christ as our only hope of salvation.

It means we are NOT good enough.

We are NOT wise enough.

We are NOT smart enough.

We are NOT disciplined enough.

We are NOT and NEVER WILL BE worthy enough to stand before a holy God.

I can’t think of anything MORE offensive to someone who thinks they have it all together;

Who thinks his opinions are right.

Who thinks he can conquer any trial.

Who thinks that doing his best to be good is good enough.

To that tragic, deluded soul who believes that as long as when he dies he has done more good things than bad, the truth of the gospel is a cold slap to his face.

But just because the gospel offends our fleshly delusions and desires, it doesn’t mean we are right to add any offense of our own to it.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:15-16

So, someone might ask, where does “working with your hands” come into it?

Well, let’s get one thing out of the way first: they are not commanding the Thessalonians or any other believers to simply take up manual labor.

Now, there is certainly nothing wrong with manual labor, and the fruit of that labor is just as sweet as any other profession.

But it had nothing to do with all the members of that church becoming craftsmen.

Perhaps the best way to read it is this: work with YOUR hands.

Some translations help us understand this tone by saying it this way:

Work with your OWN hands.

And this seems to be what the apostles have identified as the greatest problem in the Thessalonian church from the beginning of the letter.

We see them heading for this subject all the way back in chapter 2, verse 9:

For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

They were preparing to mention this subject by reminding the Thessalonians of their example while they were among them.

And, even though the second epistle followed much later, the reminder is even sharper there:

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; 9 not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. – 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10

So the problem is not a bunch of people who don’t have craft skills;

The problem for the Thessalonian church is a bunch of believers with their empty hands out instead of their full hands extended.

Now, if you read commentaries, you will see many possible explanations for why this was the case:

Some say that people had ceased to work in anticipation of the Parousia of Christ.

I mentioned that last week, and I would remind you again there is not a shred of biblical support for that theory.

Others point to the patronage system, where men would attach themselves to some person of nobility, and that noble person would be obliged to care for them in exchange for their loyalty.

This does have the advantage of some historical support, although, again, there is no biblical support for it.

But is it really so hard to understand?

You have a group of new believers who are seeking ways of showing their love of Jesus Christ through their love of others, particularly their brothers in Christ.

It would seem almost inevitable that some might take advantage of that care, to the point of becoming dependent on the church or the community.

It is also not a stretch that some, in their love and concern, might SUGGEST that a person seek dependence on the church or community.

Care for people by the church was quite common from the very beginning.

Acts 4:33-35 - And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

In Acts 6, we see that the Seven are chosen specifically to care for the widows of the church in Jerusalem.

In 1 Timothy 5, Paul gives extensive instructions on how to make sure the widows of the church are cared for.

James 1:27 tells us: Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

And just to clarify, that word “visit” is the same root as “oversee”, so it means to “shepherd” them, care for them, not just go and see them on occasion.

So in a church that was selflessly caring for people, it would not be surprising if some took a greater advantage of that charity.

Particularly those who were not in particular need, but only lived off the charity of others by choice.

Thus the instruction of the apostles: work with YOUR hands.

Paul put the same idea this way in Ephesians:

He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. – Ephesians 4:28

And that is the point of working with your OWN hands: that you will have something to give to others’ needs.

Rather than being an unnecessary drain on the people around them, the follower of Jesus Christ will do what they can to help others, to be the one giving out of the bounty of God.

And in doing so, work itself becomes a sacred act, an act of obedience to God and to His glory.

Those of you who are employed here, I praise God for that profession and work.

It is the means by which God gives you the opportunity to be generous with others, and the means God gives you to provide for yourself and your family.

But let me be quick to say that for those who have true need, there is nothing in this or any other passage that should prevent us from helping as much as we can.

It would be a devastating testimony, indeed, if a church allowed its member to be in need while any within had the means to help them.

That was the entire point of the collection Paul received form the European and Asian churches for the saints in the famine in Jerusalem: to help those brothers and sisters in need.

There is also no indication here in today’s passage that the church should pull back on their caring efforts.

Nowhere does he tell the Thessalonians to stop providing charitable gifts or to add a layer of scrutiny to their vetting process.

The concern is with the state of the sinning brother’s heart rather than the funds of the church.

And it should also be said that the instruction to work with your own hands is to believers – not to the pagans who might also be helped by the charity of the church.

It is completely predictable that if you are freely helping people, there will be some who will try to take advantage of the system.

Some who will try to gain more than others.

Some who will misuse the gifts.

But, while for the sake of the person we will try to help them properly use the gifts, it is our calling to be generous, not cynical.

And so to sum up the import of the instructions the apostles have given in today’s passage, it would be:

To live with our humility showing.

To be gentle, even meek, with those around us.

To love our brothers deeply.

And to use the strength, talents, health, and time God has given us to be able to bless others from our own hand.