2 Thessalonians 3 - Part 13

2 Thessalonians 3:1–5

Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you, 2 and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

The first first five verses consist of:

A request for prayer - vs 1-2

Word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere (as it was among you)

We may be rescued from wicked and evil people (for not all have faith)

An expression of confidence - vs 3-4

Confident in:

The Lord’s faithfulness

The Lord’s strength

The Lord’s protection

Their faithfulness in doing what the apostle commanded.

A prayer - vs 5

To direct their hearts - make strait the path or clear the way…

To the love of God - Is Paul telling his readers to love God or reminding them of God’s love for them? Most likely it is a reminder of God’s love for them as they for that is where their confidence comes from.

To the perseverance of Christ - again is this a call to action or a reminder? “

Paul is reminding his readers of the steadfast endurance Christ displayed and praying that they, in their measure, will reproduce the same” - Leon Morris

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

6 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, 8 and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. 9 This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. 11 For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13 Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

A command to keep away from those who are living in idleness - not according to the tradition you recieved from us. - vs 6

An example they set when they were with the Thessalonians. - vs 7-9

Didn’t eat anyone’s bread without paying for it

with toil and labor we worked day and night - so as to not be a burden to anyone

They had the right to these things but wanted to be an example to imitate

A command for those unwilling to work - vs 10-11

this command is twofold

if they do not work they should not expect to be fed

if they do not work those who do should not just feed them with no accountability

3. This response if from hearing that there are those living in idleness - busybodies - not doing any work

A command and exhortation for the busybodies - vs 12-13

work quietly

earn their own living

do not be weary in doing right.

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15

14 Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers.

If they don’t obey:

have nothing to do with them

that they may be ashamed

don’t regard them as enemies

warn them as believers

2 Thessalonians 3:16-18

16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you. 17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.

Prayer - vs 16

Peace at all times from the one who is Lord of peace

Paul’s endorsement - vs 17

…my own hand…

Final farewell, one he often gives.

Next week we will be in Jude 1-16

May 13th will be Baccalaureate at the High School

May 20th we will be in Jude 17-25

May 27th Next-Gen Night