Thy Strong Word — 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18: No Food for the Lazy and Idle

St. Paul offers final instructions and encouragement to the Thessalonian believers. He asks for their prayers that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly and that they be delivered from wicked and evil people. Paul reassures them of the Lord’s faithfulness, urging them to remain steadfast and obedient. He addresses the issue of idleness among some members, reminding them that those unwilling to work should not eat and encouraging the community to avoid associating with such individuals while still treating them as brothers.

The Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18.

In 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica to encourage and instruct them amidst persecution. In 1 Thessalonians, he commends their faith, love, and hope, offers guidance on living a holy life, and reassures them about the fate of believers who have died, emphasizing the hope of the resurrection and Christ’s return. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul addresses misunderstandings about the Day of the Lord, urging believers not to be misled by false teachings and to stand firm in their faith. He also offers practical advice on handling idleness and continuing to live responsibly while awaiting Christ’s return. Join us as we explore the themes of faith, hope, and perseverance in these compelling letters.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

Pray for Us

3 Finally, brothers,^[a] pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,^[b] as happened among you, ²and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. ³But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.^[c] ⁴And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. ⁵May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Warning Against Idleness

⁶Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. ⁷For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, ⁸nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. ⁹It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. ¹⁰For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ¹¹For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. ¹²Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.^[d]

¹³As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. ¹⁴If 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. ¹⁵Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Benediction

¹⁶Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

¹⁷I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. ¹⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

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Footnotes

2 Thessalonians 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 6, 13
2 Thessalonians 3:1 Or glorified
2 Thessalonians 3:3 Or evil
2 Thessalonians 3:12 Greek to eat their own bread

Rev. Dr. Phil Booe

Native North Carolinian Rev. Dr. Phil Booe serves pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, and host of Thy Strong Word on KFUO Radio. His parishioners probably think he can’t teach Bible study without a mug of coffee in his hand, and he’ll always be happy to eat a plate of sushi. When he’s not shepherding his flock or teaching on the radio, you might find him watching bad movies from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, and especially binging RiffTrax and MST3K episodes. Some day he’d love to travel to the Lutheran homeland in Germany, but for now he spends time in Minnesota with his wife, son, daughter, and cat, and looks forward to Holy Week every year.