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"If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat..."

Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:10

PROBLEMS AT THESSALONICA

A number of problems affected the Thessalonian church. The following may be highlighted:-

1. Persecution of believers.

2. False teachings concerning the Second Coming of Christ.

3. People who were behaving in a disorderly manner.

ADRESSING THE PROBLEM OF BAD BEHAVIOUR

Paul was not a stranger to controversies. He never flinched when he had to confront false teachings. Sometimes he had to deal with behavior.

“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this:
If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
For we hear that there are some who walk among you
in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ
that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.”

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

1. “We commanded you”

a) Paul was exercising the authority given to him as an apostle.

b) This command could not be clearer. The lazy and indolent will not be fed!

2. “For we hear”

a) Word had gotten to Paul concerning this issue.

b) He had to address this issue.

c) The problem summarized:-

i) There was disorderly behavior.

ii) There were indolent people who chose not to work.

iii) The problem was further compounded by the fact that these were also “busybodies”.

3. “We command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ”

a) The lazy ones must find work.

b) They must eke out a living.

c) This was an apostolic command.

d) Paul employed the name of the Lord Jesus as his source of authority.