Challenge 2 Thessalonians 3:6-7. Now 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. For you, yourselves know how you ought to imitate us because we were not idle when we were with you.
Dear Pilgrims and Sojourners,
Having encouraged the believers with the assurance that they will be protected and led by the Lord, Paul now turns to the thorny issue of idleness. He minces no words as he calls for those who are lazy to be sidelined.
Invocation (v. 6a).That Paul invokes the name of the Lord Jesus in his command shows how grave his concern is. It is akin to putting them under oath. One might wonder why Paul is taking the matter of work so seriously, more so it seems, than even the matter of false teachers. But we must bear in mind that being in Christ ought to make us better people all around. Work is a divine mandate on humanity that goes back to creation. As I often say, when God created Adam, he put him in a garden, not on a sofa.
Instructions (v. 6b). Christians are to stay away from anyone who is idle. It may sound harsh but there are good reasons for such extreme action. Image. A person who is seen in the company of idlers is taken for an idler himself. As the saying goes, “You can tell a man who boozes by the company he chooses.” The image of Christians as lazy idlers would not do the cause of the gospel much good. Influence. It is difficult to be gainfully engaged in the company of idlers. As another saying goes, “Misery loves company.” The idle will try to recruit others to their irresponsible behavior. If you do not want to be infected, stay away from the infected.
Imitation (v. 7). There was some other company that the Thessalonians had encountered and they would do well to imitate – the evangelists. These had cut for themselves the image of hard, productive workers. There really is no neutral ground. One is either imitating those who are productive and working hard, or one is following after the lazy and idling around, in the way of others. You?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.