2 Thessalonians 3:6-18
'As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.'
2 Thessalonians 3:13
There are two main points to discuss at the closing of Thessalonians, but before we get into that, I want to discuss Paul’s use of Lord Jesus Christ several times in this closing section. He uses this term at least twenty times in his letter to the Thessalonians. Wiersbe notes that it is the complete title of our Savior. We can break down the term here:
Lord: this term is defined as Jehovah God. We know and understand there is a Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. The term Lord connects Jesus back to Jehovah God as they are three in one.
Jesus: the earthly name of our Savior.
Christ: divine title meaning Messiah - the Anointed One.
There is no other way to Heaven and eternal life but Jesus. Jesus said it Himself when he said there is no way to the Father but by Him. Acts 4:12 is my favorite and one of my two pivotal verses overall: For there is salvation in no one else. There is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved. That’s it!
The two main points at this closing are thus:
1. Withdraw from every brother who might be disorderly. Keep in mind this says brother. It does not say people in general who are walking disorderly. We must preach His name to them. This strictly relates to people who say they are believers and walk contrary to that calling. We all have our struggles, right? This is speaking to those who continuously sow division and can lead people astray with false teaching. We are seeing this running rampant in churches today. Believers who are disorderly still need to be approached with correction in love. Remember, love isn’t being silent so someone will not be offended. If we aren’t willing to approach someone in truth, do we really love them? There is a delicate balance here that I am no example of myself either. It is a constant struggle. But, we should avoid disorderly people if they will not correct as they can then infect us and the congregation. This is a team effort that we all must be watchful of, correcting in love about, and reconciling in Christ through. Church discipline would come into play here.
2. Do not be idle. Paul and companions always worked (physically) wherever they went, save being in jail of course. They never wanted to be a burden on their local hosts. They had skills which they put to work as both a physical means of provision and a way to spread the Gospel. Being idle leads to many, many issues. It also doesn’t allow us to give with the finances the Lord has entrusted us with. It keeps us from having a testimony in the world to other lost people in the work environment. If we can work, we need to work. This doesn’t mean we have to disregard Biblical truth if we are placed in compromising situations at work. The Lord does have an expectation that above all else, we serve Him. That may mean walking away from a job to have to go somewhere else. That is something that will take wisdom and council and should not be taken lightly.
That is the conclusion of Thessalonians. Paul always closes his letters with some encouraging words: may we experience the peace that only the Lord can give and receive His grace.
MARANATHA!
Here is a summary intro for the letters of 1 & 2 Thessalonians: