Request for Prayer. Warning Against Idleness. Final Greetings. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

1 Request for Prayer Warning Against Idleness Final Greetings 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

2 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18, Request for Prayer Warning Against Idleness Final Greetings 1. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2. And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 6. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8. Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9. Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

3 12. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 14. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 16. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 17. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. 18. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Note: Outline headings are based on the wording of the American Standard and New International Versions. Commentary: Request for Prayer 2 Thessalonians 3:1, Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: I. Finally brethren, pray (continually) for us, A. Paul stood in need of prayer as do we. 1. Paul realized his need for prayer. Do we realize our need for prayer? 2. Paul believed in the power of prayer. Do we believe in the power of prayer? B. Finally, Coffman noted, means furthermore, not last.

4 1. 2 Corinthians 13:11, Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 2. Philippians 4:8, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. C. Paul asked regularly for the prayers of his fellow Christians. II. that the message, word of the Lord may spread rapidly, run and be glorified, honored, A. Each Christian should be mindful to pray without ceasing that the gospel will spread rapidly and be universally honored. 1. Psalm 147:115, He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. B. Our actions to bring about these results should be consistent with our prayers. C. Paul worked as no other to bring about, with God s help, to achieve the answer to this prayer. III. just, even as also it was, is with you; A. These Thessalonians to whom Paul wrote had gladly accepted and honored the gospel. 1. 2 Thessalonians 1:3, We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith

5 groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 2. 2 Thessalonians 2:13, But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 3. 1 Thessalonians 1:3, Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4. 1 Thessalonians 2:13, For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 2 Thessalonians 3:2, And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. I. and that we may be delivered from wicked, evil and unreasonable men; A. Paul also asked that prayer would be made for deliverance from wicked, evil and unreasonable men. 1. Paul had certainly encountered none than his share of evil people with whom it was impossible to reason. 2. Acts 18:12-17, And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said

6 unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters. And he drave them from the judgment seat. Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things. II. for all have not faith, for not everyone has faith. A. Adam Clarke via Coffman stated faith as used here means fidelity, trustworthiness. 1. This is certainly still true as we all know. 2. Lack of trustworthiness is a plague, epidemic in our society! 2 Thessalonians 3:3, But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. I. But the Lord is faithful, A. In contrast with the lack of trustworthiness on the part humanity, Paul declares that the Lord is absolutely dependable, trustworthy. B. The Thessalonians are here encouraged with absolute confidence to put their trust in the Lord. II. who shall establish, strengthen you, A. The Lord will, can be counted on, to establish, strengthen the Thessalonian Christians.

7 1. 2 Thessalonians 2:17, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 2. 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 13, And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. III. and protect, guard you from the evil one. A. The Lord will also protect the Thessalonian disciples from the onslaught of the devil. B. The devil would tempt them, but God will provide a way out of the tempting situations. 1. James 1:12-15, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 2. God provides the way of escape. It is up to us to take the way God provides. 2 Thessalonians 3:4, And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

8 I. We have confidence in the Lord touching you, A. God will never let us down! B. Paul also had confidence in the Thessalonians. 1. Do you trust the brethren? 2. Why or why not? C. Scriptures 1. Romans 8:38, For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 2. 2 Corinthians 2:3, And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. 3. Philippians 1:16, The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: II. that ye both do and will do the things which we command, that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. A. Paul trusted that the Thessalonian disciples would do and continue to do as he commanded them. B. Paul commanded people to do only those things God wanted them to do! C. We is editorial and does not indicate this letter had any coauthors.

9 2 Thessalonians 3:5, And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. I. And may, the Lord direct your hearts, A. 1 Chronicles 29:18, O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee: B. Proverbs 21:2, Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. C. Weatherly wrote, the prayer is that deliverance should take the form not of an absence of difficulty but of the resources to endure the difficulty for the Lord s glory. II. into the love of God, A. This is the love all Christians are to have for God, Coffman stated. 1. Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. III. and into the patience of Christ, Christ s perseverance. A. We live in a most impatient society! B. Christ was steadfast. He did not waver. We must follow Christ s example! Endure!

10 1. Luke 21:19, In your patience possess ye your souls. 2. 2 Peter 1:6, And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 3. Philippians 2:8, And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 4. 2 Corinthians 4:11, For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. Warning Against Idleness 2 Thessalonians 3:6, Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. I. Now we command you, brethren, A. Paul and his co-workers commanded as the Spirit directed. II. in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, A. Paul and all other faithful ministers commanded only as directed by the authority of Christ, on behalf of Christ. III. to keep away from, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that is idle, walketh disorderly, A. Evil doers are not to share in Christian fellowship. B. Christians do no harm to evil doers.

11 1. We do not condone their evil actions nor encourage them in their sinfulness. 2. To the contrary, Christians do all that is possible to lead them to repentance. IV. and do not live according to the teachings, not after the tradition which they, you received from us. A. Traditions as used here refers to the inspired preaching, teaching of Paul and his missionary associates, colleagues. Note: Weatherly wrote, This pattern of exclusion as a means of discipline had its roots in the synagogues, where unrepentant offenders were cut off from all connections to the Jewish community and by that token, from the people of Israel as a whole. A. John 9:18-23, But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. B. Romans 16:17, Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

12 C. 1 Timothy 1:20, Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. D. James 5:19, 20, Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. 2 Thessalonians 3:7, For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; I. For you, yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us; follow our example; A. Paul gave special care to follow in life as well as teaching Christ s way and could, therefore, urge others to do as he did. 1. We are to do likewise. 2. Don t do as I do. Do as I say do is not in the Bible. II. for we were not idle, behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; when we were with you, A. Even Jesus was not idle. While on earth he worked the works of his Father in heaven. 1. John 5:17, But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. B. We are to do likewise! 2 Thessalonians 3:8, Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: I. Neither did we eat anyone s food, bread for naught, without paying for it, at any man s hand,

13 A. Paul supported himself. He did not live off the labors of others. B. Paul made it plain that he knew it was permissible for ministers to be supported by the church. II. On the contrary, A. Paul did not accept financial support here so that all would know he was industrious and was interested in their soul, not their money. III. in both labor and travail, toiling, A. Coffman rightly said, The philosophy of doing less and less for more and more is a blight upon mankind. B. The early church was remarkably generous and benevolent. Some free loaders took advantage of this liberality. 1. Acts 2:44-46, And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 2. Acts 4:34-37, Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

14 C. Weatherly stated that idle carries the connotation of willful and rebellious irresponsibility. III. working night and day IV. that we might not burden, be a burden to any of you: 2 Thessalonians 3:9, Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. I. We did this, not because we don t have the right, 1. 1 Corinthians 11:1, Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. II. but in order to make ourselves a model, ensample unto you, III. that ye should imitate us, for you to follow. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11, For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. I. For even when we were with you II. This we commanded you, we gave you this rule: III. If a man, any will not work, neither let him eat, he shall not eat. A. Paul was not writing here about people who were unable to work. B. Paul was writing about the idle, lazy people who could work, but won t. IV. For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, are idle.

15 A. To enable the lazy, idle in their lifestyle is bad for everyone including the lazy person, those giving help, the entire community! B. Even in the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve had jobs, to work and take care of the garden. (Genesis 2:15) V. that work not at all, they are not busy; VI. but they are busybodies. A. Paul ordered, Stop your gossip. Go to work. B. Idleness is a sin! 2 Thessalonians 3:12, Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. I. Now them, people that are such (idle, disorderly) II. we command and urge, exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, III. that with quietness they work, to settle down A. Instead of complaining, murmuring and fault finding, settle down and go to work. IV. and eat their own bread, earn the bread they eat. A. Enjoy the fruit of your labor. B. Do what is positive, productive. 2 Thessalonians 3:13, But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. I. But as for you, ye, brethren, II. never tire of doing what is right, be not weary in well-doing.

16 A. Help is to be given to those truly in need. B. Don t be discouraged in good work nor in good living. 2 Thessalonians 3:14, And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. I. And if any man obeyeth not our instruction, words by this epistle, in this letter, II. take special note of him, note that man, that ye have no company with him, do not associate with him, A. This is a further explanation of the earlier command withdraw yourselves from the disorderly, idle. B. The purpose of this social and religious ostracism is to lead the wayward to repentance. C. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. III. in order that he may feel ashamed, to the end he may be ashamed. 2 Thessalonians 3:15, Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. I. And yet do not regard, count him as an enemy, A. Punishment is not the purpose of church discipline.

17 B. Force in not used against wayward disciples. Their restoration must be a free will decision. II. but warn, admonish him as a brother. A. Some accusation is required in order for the faithful to admonish the wayward. B. The faithful do not approve nor participate in the sins of the disorderly. C. Only Paul in the New Testament used the word admonish. (Kelcy via Coffman) 1. Acts 20:31, Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 2. 1 Thessalonians 5;12, 13, And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 3. Romans 15:14, And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 4. Colossians 3:16, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

18 Final Greetings Benediction 2 Thessalonians 3:16, Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. I. Compare this benediction with that of 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24, And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. A. Peace with God, peace in the church, salvation are all involved in this marvelous benediction. B. Paul wished the very best for the Thessalonians. C. Scriptures: 1. Romans 15:33, Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. 2. Romans 16:20, And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 3. 2 Corinthians 13:11, Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 4. Philippians 4:9, Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. III. in all times in all ways, every way. A. This peace was to involve everything all time.

19 B. What an unspeakably wonderful way to live! 1. Eutopia. 2. Heaven on earth. IV. The Lord be with you all, all of you everywhere all the time! 2 Thessalonians 3:17, 18, The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. I. The salutation of me Paul, I Paul write this greeting A. Paul s signature authenticated this epistle. 1. 1 Corinthians 16:21, The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. 2. Colossians 4:18, The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. 3. Galatians 6:11, Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. B. This was Paul s custom and may have been necessary because others may have written letters claiming to have come from Paul. II. in, with my own hand, III. which is the distinguishing mark, token in all my letters, every epistle: so do I write. This is how I write. IV. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. A. 1 Thessalonians 5:28, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

20 B. 2 Corinthians 13:13, All the saints salute you. C. Galatians 6:18, Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. D. Ephesians 6:24, Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. E. Philippians 4:23, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

21 Special Appreciation Jon Weatherly, 1, & 2 Thessalonians, The College Press NIV Commentary, College Press Publishing Company, Joplin, Missouri. James Burton Coffman, Commentary on 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Volume 9, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas, 1986. Zondervan Publishing House, The Holy Bible, New International Version, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1986. Thomas Nelson & Sons, The Holy Bible, American Standard Version, 1901, London, Camden, N.J., Toronto. To

22 Questions 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 1. For what things did Paul ask the Thessalonians to pray? 2. Is prayer alone enough or must we work to achieve that for which we pray? Give reasons for your answer. 3. Give examples of the fact that not everyone has faith. 4. Give examples of unreasonable men.

23 5. The are with to put their in the. 6. The can be on to, the and, you from the. 7. How does God protect us from the evil one? 8. Paul uses the word we several times in this chapter. To whom does this word refer? 9. Is it necessary to do what Paul said in order to go to heaven? Why or why not?

24 10. How does God direct our hearts? 11. How important are love for God and love for our follow man? 12. How important is perseverance to our salvation? 13. What is the origin of withdrawing fellowship from the disorderly? 14. What are the traditions mentioned in verse 6? Are Christians to keep religious traditions? Explain.

25 15. Does the church of which you are a member withdraw from the disorderly? Why or why not? God commanded it. 16. Can we be the true church without withdrawing from the disorderly? If so, which other commands can we disobey while retaining our true church status? 17. In what way were some Thessalonians disorderly? 18. What, whose example did Paul want the Thessalonians to imitate? 19. The was remarkable, and. Some took advantage of this.

26 20. Coffman rightly said, The of doing and for and is a upon. 21. How can Christians help people without enabling them to live in idleness? 22. Are there any exceptions to the rule, If a man will not work, neither let him eat? 23. Paul wrote of people who were. They were not. They were. Paul ordered, your. to. 24. We are to with, the we, do what is,.

27 25. We are never to tire doing what is right. Of what right things was Paul speaking in verse 13? 26. What are the purposes of church discipline? 27. How is the word admonish used in the New Testament? What is to be accomplished by our admonitions? 28. How can we achieve peace all the time in every way? 29. How were the recipients of Paul s letters to know he in fact authored them?

28 30. How did Paul conclude, with what words, his letters to the Thessalonians, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians?.