Beginning with Matt 2:1-12, we see that the arrival of Christ demands a response. We will read of different responses in this passage. There are those who actively searched for Christ (i.e. wise men) and a passive one (i.e. Herod). When we talk about the arrival of Jesus, both then and now, it demands a response. This is the mindset that we should have as we read 2 Thess 3.
(A) Principles for Discipleship: Instructing and Modelling for Others to Imitate (2 Thess 3:6-10)
Paul’s command in these verses was directed to the “brothers”, a term that referred to Christian men and women in the church. The command was made to the church in Thessalonia. It sets a frame for this passage, because without the context of a community none of this makes sense.
Paul commanded them “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess 3:6), whose Lordship is a stamp of his authority, and His authority is the one in which this decree is made. The church was to “keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us”. They were to distance themselves from people in the church who don’t respond to Paul’s teaching. This is a call to exercise church discipline, because believers have a responsibility for how people walk and need to disciple them if they’re not in line.
We can see 3 things from these verses:
These verses are a call to exercise church discipline but at the same time, we are to be responsible for another’s life. Discipline is necessary to be meted out on those whose lives are not in line with what God says. Paul doesn’t allow us to mind our own business. He is telling us that we are responsible for another person’s life and walk, not matter how awkward. It is far more loving and precious to call someone out on their sin! The community of God’s people are family (“brothers”) and we are to behave as such, however painful and awkward it might be.
Christians are to follow the right tradition, one rooted in the teaching of Christ and modeled by mature Christians. Thus, not all tradition is bad. Traditions are to be checked against the word of God and if they are from Scripture, we must obey them!
Paul also calls them to imitate him.
Paul’s main point in 2 Thess 3:6 was to call them to imitate Paul, Silvanus and Timothy. Why? He proceeds to give a couple of reasons.
“you know how you ought to imitate us” (2 Thess 3:7a) — They know how! Paul assumes that they know that they are to imitate him and they also know how to do so already.
“because we were not idle when we were with you …” (2 Thess 3:7b-8) — Paul, Silvanus and Timothy modeled it for them and they saw how it was to be.
“not because we do not have that right but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate…” (2 Thess 3:9-10) — Paul, Silvanus and Timothy worked hard so that the church could see an example to imitate. They were living out their commands and instructions.
Paul provided the church both an instruction and also an example. This is why he called them to imitate him. Paul’s life displayed the teachings of God that he taught. This is discipleship! It is consistent with the Great Commission, where Jesus said the disciples were to teach the people to obey all that Jesus has commanded.
The coming of Christ demands a response. There are only 2 responses: yes or no. Will you repent of your sins and trust in the salvation that Christ gave you when He died for your sins? With Christ’s coming, our salvation is coming as well. Will you be a disciple, a follower of Christ, or not? This is the story of Christmas.
If you are a Christian and have responded, how has your life changed? Have you just spent more time with God’s people or do you also see changes in your heart? Do you desire different things? Are you growing in holiness as you dive deeper into God’s word? Do your views on time, money, and relationships change? Is the Gospel bearing fruit in you? Are you looking to a model to follow?
These verses also lead us to consider what we’re doing when we disciple others. Are we instructing and also modelling? Are we teaching people how to seek God more and are we modelling it for them? How are we to expect those we disciple to seek God more, to love more, to pray more when we don’t do it?
(B) Disciples at Work: zeal for the gospel, die to self, focused and missional (2 Thess 3:7-12)
What is Paul’s model for us as a disciple of Christ? Paul sought to trim his rights and died to self for the sake of advancing the gospel. At one level, Paul was instructing the disciples to work for their food and not freeload off people. Paul had every right to be provided for as a minister of the gospel, and there was a precedent in the law, but in both 2 Thess 3:7-9 and 1 Cor 9:3-14, we read of how Paul did not exercise this right. He did so to provide a model for the church and also that there are no obstacles in the way of the gospel.
Paul was modelling two things—the zeal for the Gospel to spread, and the surrendering of his rights for the cause of the Gospel. Paul will not let anything stand in the way, not even his own rights, hinder the gospel. He thought to surrender his rights for the gospel to advance. What will it look like if we had the same zeal in our lives? Do we have such a zeal? Do we have such a heart and conviction? Can we say that it is ok for us even if it’s unfair, because Christ’s name is proclaim?
What will it mean to trim your rights, to withhold what you are entitled to? It will look like dying to ourselves and sin. It will look like inconvenience, pain, putting the needs of others ahead of ourselves. It will look like tears. But if the gospel advances, will you be ok with that? What will it look like for us to imitate Paul today?
Paul also goes on to tell them in 2 Thess 3:11 that if they’re going to be busy, they should be busy with the priorities of the Christian life. They are to direct their hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ (2 Thess 3:5). They are to seek to grow deep roots to know and love God more and to want to be holy.
What are you busy with? What fills your time? Are our activities in line with Gospel priorities? Do the things we do help us to love God more? What will it look like to have the right priorities in ministry? Perhaps it means doing fewer things and doing the right things. It might mean stopping programmes and events, and to stop starting things, and to instead focus on your heart and the heart of others. Busyness doesn’t count for anything if your heart grows cold and heart. Paul is instructing us that it is not just about zeal but a focus on the gospel! Grow in love for God and live it out.
Paul also tells them to “work quietly and earn their own living” (2 Thess 3:12). Living in simple obedience is missional. Phil 2:12-18 reminds us that the way we live will be a light for all to see. People can see our obedience and we therefore serve as lights in a dark and twisted generation. The greatest thing a disciple can do is to obey.
(C) Persisting in Discipleship: That we walk faithfully (2 Thess 3:13-15)
In 2 Thess 3:13, Paul changes suddenly from talking about “work” to “doing good”. Paul is taking the big themes in 1 and 2 Thessalonians and is pressing it into application for us. Their new identity as Christians should change the way they work. We need to apply what we know of God as we continue to learn more about Him. As you grow to love God more, your life should look and smell different.
This passage is also bookended by discipline in the context of community. Paul knows how hard it is to do right and to bear the cross. The life of a Christian is long and painful, and it cannot happen outside a community. Our love for our brothers and sisters in the church necessitates discipline and calling out sin in our lives. We need others to persist in discipleship and if we want to mature in the faith.