Thessalonians - Part 19

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

Idleness and Discipline

Since those refusing to work had obstinately disregarded his instruction while he was there and his exhortation in his first letter (4:11-12,5:14), Paul here issued a stern command regarding them.

This time, the command was in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and carried the full weight of His authority.

The word translated as disorderly is ataktos and means an unruly life. In a military sense, ataktos refers to “being out of rank”,”out of line” or ”out of order”.

Paul commanded the rest of the congregation to separate from and ostracize every unruly brother.

Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

Stop being disorderly busybodies and and work in quietness and earn your own bread!

The Christian view of work - John MacArthur, Thessalonians

First, God exalted work by commanding it. It is often ignored that the familiar fourth commandment not only prescribes the keeping of the sabbath on the seventh day, but work on the other six (Ex. 20:9). That is God’s command as much as the day of rest.

Second, God Himself sets the example of work for all to follow in creation.

Third, work is a feature of the creation mandate and is therefore a normal part of man’s existence.Work is not a result of the curse, since God commanded Adam to work in the garden before the Fall (Gen. 2:15).

Fourth, work is a gift from God. Man’s occupation with it provides development of skill and productivity, significant contribution, value, meaning and fulfillment in life. It also prevents idleness which, as clearly seen in the indolent of every society, is debilitating and destructive.

Finally, the Biblical work ethic affirms that all work can be elevated above the mundane by being done for the Lord Himself. Ephesians 6:5-7.

Application

“But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.”  This is a very difficult command to obey, isn’t it?

Has the definition of “disorderly” expanded in recent years?

Say, to include that which goes against the natural order of creation?

What makes us more eligible for the rapture than those who fought and died in WWI and WWII? Are we any more deserving? Should we not also expect to fight when called?