Difficult Duty of Obedience

Introduction:

Functioning as a church brings with it great responsibilities:

The soundness of our doctrine.

The purity of our obedient behavior.

Congregational peace and unity.

For a congregation to be doctrinally sound and to behave properly, that means each individual has a responsibility to God to live obediently.

Otherwise, such behavior has the potential to create division with the congregation and, thus, to disrupt the unity that should exist.

God’s people should not find themselves in the position of being “pitted” against each other.

We will soon see that Paul did not haphazardly make the remarks of 2 Thess. 3:4.

His word choice was purposeful to set the foundation for his guidance in the passages under consideration.

Charge: Separate

Paul gives the Thessalonians what, based upon his earlier statements of confidence, he knows is a difficult command.

Although his word choice has a sense of urgency, he does not want them to lose sight of his concern for them.

Hence, he addresses them again as “brothers.”

He also frames this command with the words “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Here is the authority behind the charge.

He admonishes them to “separate yourselves from every brother.”

It is important to Paul that these individuals still be seen as brothers.

He will make this obvious when he explains the goal of carrying out his command.

He characterizes the brothers as:

“walking disorderly.” See 1 Thess. 4:11-12.

This can be further understood as “not according the tradition which they received from us.”

Yet again, tradition is important, but now, Paul refers to both instruction and example in behavior.

Necessity: Imitate Us

Paul’s tone brings to mind the letter of 1 Thessalonians. (especially 1 Thess. 2:7).

Paul was sure to have his own behavior be consistent with his teaching.

He was not disorderly in his conduct.

By this, he may mean that he behaved in such a way to avoid his conduct becoming a source of contention among them.

He reminds them of their responsibility, that is necessity, to imitate, as a matter of habit, “us.”

He then gives two reasons for this:

“we did not behave disorderly among you.”

“we did not eat free bread from anyone.”

Example: Paul’s Behavior

Paul outlines his behavior and its motivation.

He worked night and day.

He did want to be burden anyone (see 1 Thess. 2:7).

He gave them an example to imitate.

He did not abuse his authority either.

Paul practiced what he preached (see 2 Thess. 3:10).

Problem: A Lack of Quiet

Paul explains what motivated him to give this series of commands.

2 Thess. 3:11 explains the reasoning behind 2 Thess. 3:6 and the command Paul gives there.

Word has reached him of those who walk out of line.

Their misbehavior takes two forms: (Paul plays on words here).

Not working

Going around work (meddling). περιεργάζομαι: to meddle in the affairs of someone else—‘to be a busybody.’ Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). In Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 767). United Bible Societies.

περιεργάζομαι periergazomai do useless things, appear busy. Balz, H. R., & Schneider, G. (1990–). In Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament (Vol. 3, p. 73). Eerdmans.

Apparently, the meddlers had caused disturbances or were keeping things “stirred up” instead of minding their own business.

While we do not know the precise reasons why this situation has emerged, Paul is adamant about correcting a problem where, it seems, some are perceived to be taking undue advantage of the hospitality of others and sowing seeds of discord among them.

He wants those who are the source of the internal disturbances to correct their behavior.

Paul also encourages those who are doing what is right not be to let themselves be exhausted (apparently by both the external and internal dynamics).