While I do not watch television, no doubt there are Lotto ads that offer the possibility of a massive jackpot prize, allowing the winner to stop working and live a life of luxury on a tropical island, or something similar. The idea of not having to work certainly has appeal, especially in the West where we do not live hand to mouth. But work is a blessing and an ordinance from God, even if cursed by the Fall, and something that we should embrace.
Sadly some in the Thessalonian church were not pulling their weight, and relying on others for their welfare. Paul had strong words for those that remained idle, warning them to get back to work and that their fellow church members should discipline them if not. This passage reminds us of the importance and blessing of work in all its forms. It also reminds us of the importance of Jesus’ work for us, because we cannot live on bread alone.
After seeking the prayers of the Thessalonians for the advance of the gospel, Paul turned to one final topic in his letter. Idleness. Paul commanded the Thessalonians to keep away from any brother “who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us” (v.6).
That was not how Paul worked in their midst. They knew that Paul was “not idle when we were with you” (v.7) and did not rely on others for his meals but toiled long hours to avoid being a burden (v.8). They knew that example was Paul’s example to them of Godly living.
They should have known that, because Paul had every right to their support as a minister in their midst, but he lived that way as an example to them (v.9). With this reminder, Paul commanded that “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (v.10). Note the emphasis on willingness, not ability.
Not everyone is able to work, for one reason or another. But most people can work, in whatever quantity or nature that work takes. If you have the ability but not the desire, you are relying on others’ goodwill to support you. And that is sloth. Perhaps, Paul felt, hunger might serve as sufficient motivation.
The command to work is doubly important because idleness often leads to the wrong type of busyness – getting involved in other people’s affairs (v.11). Gossip and meddling is like acid on the stone of relationships, and relationships are vitally important to fellowship in the church. Perhaps, some commentators suggest, these busybodies were so busy being “rapture ready” (as we might say today) that they were constantly annoying their fellow believers with new and novel teachings they had concocted from the Scriptures.
Such persons had a Paul clearly commanded and encouraged “in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living” (v.12). Leave your fellow believers alone, and pay your own way until the Lord returns in other words.
For everyone in the Thessalonian church, the command was simple; “do not grow weary in doing good” (v.13). There were so many opportunities at home, at work, in the church, in the public space, to do good.
For those who were not willing, the message was starker. “If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother” (vv.14-15).
Those who still refused to listen to Paul were to face discipline, and distancing by others in the church. Ultimately the goal was their restoration to fellowship, and to the tradition of work that they received from Paul.
While work sometimes gets in the way of things we would like to do, it is also in itself a blessing and ordinance from God. In the beginning, God put Adam “in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). It is a fundamental part of being human. While the curse means work brings toil and frustration (Gen. 3:17-19), work is not fundamentally wrong. It brings blessing to the world (Galatians 6:10).
Ultimately, our work is not just for our employer, our household, our children, or our community. It is for God. One day, when our work is done, if we are faithful in our labours God will say “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). It is a witness to unbelievers as well, when they understand that we labour for God as well.
Finally, while this passage emphasises the good of work and commands us to work as we are able, we must remember our best works are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). But Jesus’ work was accepted by God and is counted to us as our righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:14-21).