Read 2 Thessalonians 3
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Thessalonians+3%3A1&version=NIV
Paul is well aware that everyone in the present difficult times needs prayer—himself included. God will answer prayer and not only strengthen His people but deliver them from the evil one (3:1–5).
Paul then deals rather bluntly with believers who have used the rumors about history’s imminent end to quit work and live off their more industrious brothers and sisters. Don’t feed them. Let them go to work and take care of themselves (vv. 6–10). And Paul adds an interesting reason why most folks really need to work: They not only sponge off others, but also go around gossiping and stirring up trouble. We’re to keep busy, but keep busy “doing what is right” (vv. 11–13). These instructions of Paul concerning work are to be strictly obeyed and anyone who fails to obey is to be disciplined by the church (vv. 14–15). The letter closes with a brief personal note (vv. 16–18).
Discussion questions
How might a misunderstanding of Paul’s earlier teaching (1Th 51-2) have led to the problem of the Thessalonians being idle?
Do you think that Paul was too harsh with the Thessalonians in his warning about being idle?
How do you respond to the statement in verse 10 “if a man will not work, he shall not eat?”
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Maybe not. I think it has meaning today. I believe being idle is not good. For a teenager, a chance to get into trouble & develop into lazy habits. For elderly, depression & isolation. I feel god wants us to be social & work for god. I think in this statement, Paul means for the Thessalonians to follow god & have fellowship.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Keith. I think that Paul is saying that laziness and self-indulgence are the opposite of "taking up our cross daily" to follow Jesus.
ReplyDeletePaul's earlier teaching might have caused the Thessalonians to quit living their normal lives and prepare for the Lord who would come "like a thief in the night". They might have thought that His coming back to earth was imminent. But they would have misinterpreted what Paul was teaching. I think he was trying to tell them to live their daily lives following Christ and setting an example to other people.
ReplyDeleteSo here Paul is telling them to not be idle because they are not living like Christ would want them to live. Also, when you are idle, it allows for the devil to enter your life and tempt you. So I think Paul was trying to be sure that the Thessalonians would focus their time and their lives on following the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 speaks of the day of the Lord coming like a thief in the night. If they thought it would happen right away, maybe they figured they didn't need to knock themselves out because it would all be over soon anyway.
ReplyDeleteMy fifth grade teacher used to be fond of saying, "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." Of course, she was referring to our behavior in school, but think about it: Any community requires particular activities to keep the community going. Somebody has to provide food, shelter, clothes and shoes. Other things that are needed have to be provided by somebody. Then they had craftsmen for things like horseshoes, but people either made their own or bought from somebody who knew how to make them. If they were raising food together, why should anyone who was able-bodied who didn't contribute to the work get to eat the food?
Today we have stores, but even now some people have gardens, make their own clothes, etc. I personally think that anyone who isn't disabled or old should be working. I worked for 45 years and still do some part time stuff. I don't think Paul was too harsh. I think he was right.
PS: I would include as work things you don't get paid for in money, such as mowing the yard, caring for children or volunteer work. The point is everybody should be doing something to contribute.
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